POWER PLAY

CHAPTER 9

The drive back into the city was going to take close to 2 hours, maybe more since it was rush hour. Jane didn't mind. Neither did Brady. They were enjoying each other's company

"You'd said, after the game,that you weren't into hookups. Most guys are. Why not you?"

"You seem disappointed by that!" He laughed. "Honestly. I'm not really sure. I had a girlfriend in high school. We finally made love after two years, even then it didn't feel right. We were in love which made it better but something was off. We tried a couple more times but it just wasn't working. We parted as friends which is ok. Since that time I've done things to women and they've done things for me, but I haven't had sex with them. I can't even tell you why. Maybe it's the stress of the game, maybe I'm just not into them. Whatever it is I think the next time will be with the woman I marry."

"That's a mature and respectful answer. You're definitely not like the others. Most men would totally take advantage of a situation like that."

"What about you? What's it like for you?"

Jane always hated this question. She always struggled to find the correct way to let them know. They never called back.

"Honestly?! I don't have a situation. I never have. I'm not embarrassed or ashamed. It's not that I haven't wondered, I just believe that sex should mean something. I've kissed guys and I've sometimes felt like I've wanted to do more but in the end I chicken out and I don't. I don't want to be a notch on the dashboard. I want to mean something to someone. I know that sounds stupid and prudish, it's just how I feel. They never call back the next day, I'm ok with that. If they want a quick fix they can hang out on the corner. Plus, there was this one situation when I was 17. It was one of daddy's former teammates. He was the same age as him. He came to the house one night drunk as a skunk, Sarah had just left him and he was despondent. It took daddy and Abbie several hours to settle him. I'd been working and came home around 9:00. He was passed out on the couch. Daddy and Abbie had already gone upstairs. They were both tired from calming Marc-Pierre down, and daddy had a killer operation the next morning. I was planning on going upstairs to study after grabbing a drink. At that moment, MP woke up and walked toward me with a look in his eyes that I'd seen only when he'd play on the ice. The look that he wanted to kill someone. I tried to scream but he put his hand over my mouth and started groping my breasts. I was terrified. The only thing I could do was drop my glass and hope it shattered, it did. Daddy came immediately and beat the crap out of MP. I was crying so hard and Abbie was holding me. Billy and Joey were still so young and had no idea what was going on. MP tried to put the blame on me, my dad knew better. He threw him out and told him that whenever he got his act together he owned his whole family an apology."

Brady could tell she was uncomfortable. She was fidgeting with her watch, he gently changed the subject

"I'm sorry that happened to you. Marc-Pierre Duchene has always been an asshole. No tears were shed when he retired, that's for sure. I would've killed him had I been there. He violated you and your trust. On a completely unrelated note, is there a back entrance to your condo?" At that moment they both laughed realizing how silly what he just said sounded

"Actually, yes there is. Carole uses it all the time because she thinks she allowed to just come by whenever. Apparently pushing a kid out of your vagina gives you that right. Never mind the fact she left us. It's this way. I'll show you!"

Jane was disappointed that the ride was over and her time with Brady was drawing to a close she couldn't remember a time where she'd enjoyed herself so much. Good food. Great company. They pulled into the parking garage.

"Can I walk you up? Would you mind terribly?"

"Not at all. I'd love that. Thanks!"

"This place is hoity toity. I can't picture you living here. Carole has great taste, if I do say so myself. These are like movie star dwellings"

"The only good thing to come from her. All paid for with unlimited access to everything. It doesn't suit me at all as you'd guessed. However it's safe, close to everything and my family is nearby too." She gave him the special code for the higher up apartments which he punched into the keypad.

"You're on the 43rd floor? Lordy that's impressive. How big is your condo, and do you want a roommate?"

"Actually it's too big for me, but I wasn't going to turn it down. It's 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms. About 2000 square feet. Carole insisted that since she bought it for me she should have a key and come by whenever she wants. I disapprove but whatever. She usually texts if she's coming by. I usually try and not be here. She uses my condo for rendezvous with whomever she's screwing. I've tried numerous times to get the locks changed, to no avail. She finds ways to get copies, don't ask me how. And seriously? You make six million a year this is nothing compared to what you can afford"

"One thing I've learned is that I can be traded at anytime. I keep my living area small and sparse that way there's less to take with me I have some family photos and my Xbox. I'm content"

The elevator stopped on her floor. He allowed her to get off first

"Are you allergic to cats? Because if you aren't, well...would you like to come
Inside?"