20. Piper
TWENTY
PIPER
“I can’t believe it’s already December.” Lexi sits next to me on her living room couch and groans. “This year is going by way too fast.”
“I miss the days when I was a photographer for the NFL, not the NHL. It was so nice to be done with the season in February.” Maven sighs and sips her water. “We’re only two months into the season with weeks to go. I’m exhausted.”
“I’m bruised in places I didn’t know I could bruise.” Emmy rubs her forearm, a purple mark sitting above her wrist. “Damn pads are doing little to keep me from being injured.”
“Meanwhile I’m over here wishing the season would slow down. I love my job.” I rest my chin in my hand and smile. “I’ve had fun every year I’ve covered hockey, but this one is by far the best.”
“A toast to our superstar rinkside reporter.” Lexi lifts her glass, and we all follow her lead. “To knocking down sexist pigs and taking the job that’s rightfully yours.”
I sip my wine and laugh. “You all are the best cheerleaders. Thanks for being my support squad.”
When I filled the girls in on the whole story involving my promotion, they were, as expected, livid.
There was crying.
Anger.
Lots of yelling and plans to ruin my former boss’s life.
It was hard to go through that situation, but having them by my side has made it easier.
“Speaking of December, how’s it going with Liam?” Lexi asks. “Have you two banged yet?”
I almost spit out my drink. “ Jesus , Lex. Could I get some warning next time? A segue before we dive into my sex life would be nice.”
“When have I ever been discreet? That’s not my style.”
Liam told me I can talk to the girls about our arrangement, but I’m not sure I want to.
I’m hesitant to tell them about the low rasp of his voice. How his teeth sink into my bottom lip and the look on his face right before he comes, half full of wonder and half full of insane lust.
It feels wrong to share parts of his private life with other people, especially after he told me about his bad experience with a reporter.
He’s my friend, and I don’t like thinking I’m betraying him if I give away specifics so freely.
“No,” I finally say. “We’re going slow.”
“Wow.” Emmy smirks. “I’m not sure I’ve ever met a guy who thinks with his head instead of his dick when it comes to sex.”
“Sometimes waiting is more fun,” Maven tells us with a sly grin. “It makes you really want it.”
“I didn’t think I’d like having to wait, but I’m learning so much about myself.”
“Like what?”
“Well, I found out I like foreplay, when that was something I never used to consider. I’m not going to run off and have a one-night stand tomorrow, but it’s empowering to finally be almost sure of myself. I’m getting back the pieces that belonged to someone else, and now they’re finally my own.”
“Goddamn. I love women,” Lexi says. “We’re so strong, aren’t we?”
“It amazes me how you’ve stayed so positive the last few years,” Emmy adds. “I know I’m not all sunshine and rainbows, but you’ve been through hell, Piper. You find out the man you love is having an affair—that alone would’ve led me to do something that would get me sent to jail. You get divorced. Your boss absolutely sucked and said horrible shit about you. But look at you. You’re practically fucking glowing. When you could’ve given up, you didn’t. How the hell do you do it?”
“When my world was falling apart, it was like my brain knew it wasn’t the end of my story. It was the end of a chapter. Would I do it again if I had the choice? God, no. Divorcing an egocentric workaholic who refuses to take responsibility for his actions is draining. But Steven cheating on me was the best thing that could’ve ever happened. Imagine if I spent forty years in a soul-sucking marriage where I never got the things I needed? Where I never heard I was doing a good job or that he was proud of me? I can live without sex, but I can’t live without being hugged, and he never wanted to hug me.” I pause for a breath. “I’m so glad I only wasted ten years of my life, not half a century.”
“Me too. And this next part of your story is going to be even better,” Maven says.
“It already is.” I laugh, desperate to tell them something good in my life for once. “I’ve orgasmed more with Liam in a month than I did my entire relationship with Steven.”
“Shut the fuck up,” Lexi squeals. “ Hell yeah . That’s our girl.”
“I never thought I could be happy about my friend’s orgasm count, but here I am, ecstatic .” Maven claps. “You deserve a hundred more.”
“Okay. That’s enough about me. Someone else tell us something fun. Did you all get your gala dresses yet? It’s a week away,” I say.
“I got mine,” Maven says. “But I might not go. I’ve been so tired lately, and a party where I’ll have to be on my feet all night sounds miserable.”
“You love parties.” Emmy frowns. “Are you sick?”
“Sick? No.” She pauses and rests her hand on her stomach. “I’m pregnant.”
One second, I can hear out of my right ear. The next, I can’t.
We all scream.
Lexi almost tackles Maven and I burst into tears. Emmy wraps her arms around her, creating a dogpile, before I yell at them to not hurt the baby.
When the dust settles, we’re one big blubbering mess. I’m not sure who is crying more: the hormonal mother-to-be, or her three best friends.
“Details,” I say. “We need the full story.”
“Dallas and I have been trying for a while. Nothing was happening, so we decided to go in for testing. The doctor said everything came back normal and to be patient. Well, after seven months of being patient, thinking it wasn’t going to happen for us and looking into adoption agencies, I took a test. It was positive.”
A fresh wave of tears hits me. “I’m so happy for you.”
I know how much Maven loves being a mom.
She’s always excited about her career and supporting Dallas, but she was made to be a mother. Her adoration for June is out of this world, and there’s no doubt in my mind that Lansfield Kid #2 will be any different.
“We’re so happy too. Dallas is at Mav’s tonight with some of the guys, and he’s planning on telling them while he’s there. We wanted to do a big announcement at team dinner next week, but I couldn’t wait. I wanted you all to know. You’re my sisters, and I hope you’ll love me when I’m in bed by eight and can’t go out because I’m so damn tired. I don’t want to know what it’s going to be like come April and May. I’ll probably fall asleep standing up.”
“We can do a Weekend at Bernie’s bit when we go out to dinner,” Lexi says. “We’ll scare so many people. It’s going to be great.”
Emmy’s phone dings with a notification, and she laughs. “I think Dallas must have told the guys. Maverick just sent me a photo, and his eyes look red and swollen from crying.” She holds up the screen, and we all giggle at the picture. “That man is the biggest fucking softie.”
“What does it say under the photo?” Lexi squints at Emmy’s phone. “ Come home. Going to fuck you six ways to Sunday until I put a baby inside you too . Don’t care if the guys are still here . Wow. And they say chivalry is dead.”
“Whoops.” Emmy’s cheeks turn as red as her hair and she shoves the phone under her thigh. “Ignore that.”
“Six ways to Sunday? Is that a new move?” Maven teases. “I haven’t tried that one yet.”
“You’ve tried something that works.”
Before I can join in on the ribbing, my own phone buzzes on the end table. I pick it up, surprised to see Liam’s name.
We text occasionally. He’ll send me a message now and then. A check in after practice. Asking how my day is going and if I’ve had enough to eat. A few days ago, when I told him I hadn’t had lunch yet, he marched up to the broadcasting offices in his pads and a sweaty jersey, put a sandwich on my desk and left without saying a word.
Sometimes he’ll send me pictures. A photo of Pico, blurry from the tabby cat running out of the frame. A view of the night sky when he said to go outside and look at the full moon.
They’re all short. Barely more than four or five words. From someone else, I might consider it an afterthought. A throwaway conversation to pass the time or ask when we’re going to hook up.
With Liam, they mean something, and I’m lucky to have a friend like him.
Liam
I’m assuming you heard the news too?
Me
Wait a second. You’re at Maverick’s? Spending time with people? Are you ill??
Liam
I’m a social butterfly now, Mitchell.
Me
Oh, this is like one of those kidnapper things where someone else has your phone, isn’t it? There’s no way this is the Liam Sullivan I know.
Blink twice for help.
Liam
*Attachment: 1 image*
Me
Sorry. Can’t say I’m too familiar with your middle finger.
Liam
Might as well learn to be. I’m going to fuck you with it soon.
Two at first. We’ll work up to three.
I know I’m bigger than the prick you were with before so it’ll take some getting used to.
I let out a squeak and drop my phone. Maven looks over at me, concerned.
“Are you okay?” she asks.
“Fine,” I almost yell. “Work things. Thing. A thing at work. Maybe it’s food poisoning? I’m not sure. I’m going to use the bathroom.”
I launch up to my feet and almost sprint down the hall. Locking the door behind me and leaning against the wall, I read his message again.
I’m going to fuck you with it soon .
It’s the next step in our lessons, and I’ve been anticipating it since he got me off using only his thumb.
What the hell is it going to be like when he actually pushes inside me?
Me
Are you sexting me around your teammates?
Liam
No. I’m in the elevator heading to my car with my kidnapper.
A laugh races out of me.
Me
Tell your kidnapper to look the other way. I don’t want him reading this next part.
Liam
He’s staring at the ceiling and not paying attention. Seems like a nice guy.
Me
Do you really think I can take three of your fingers?
Liam
You can take everything I give you, Piper.
I fan my face. My skin is an inferno, and I think I’m burning alive.
Me
And when is this happening?
Liam
Eager?
Me
No. Just want to check the calendar and make sure I’m free.
Liam
Busy next few weeks. Charity gala. Christmas.
How about before our road trip to Vegas?
Me
You’re making me wait until the end of December?
You’re cruel.
Liam
Patience, virtue, etc.
Me
Hate you, etc.
Liam
No, you don’t.
No , I decide, holding my phone to my chest, a giddy smile on my face and my heart thumping under my hand. I don’t .