Page 77 of Like a Power Play (Greenrock University: Icebound #1)

"Because you’re a ruthless player, and I like grit ," she clarifies firmly. Her tone is sharp, defensive even, like I’ve offended her with the implication.

The embarrassment only lasts for a beat. Because the moment it fades, I feel a surge of validation, of confidence flowing through me.

And I like it.

"Really?" I ask, utterly confused. But then I remember who I’m talking to. "I mean, thank you . Thank you so much! That means a lot to me."

Then just as quickly as the warmth begins to pool in my stomach, it hardens, sinking to my feet.

"Wait," I start hesitantly. My mouth is dry, my mind racing. “So if you’ve been watching me since freshman year… I apologize if this comes off any sort of way, but… did you consider selecting me in the draft last summer?”

Alvie's voice comes through cool and calculated. "Of course," she answers nonchalantly. "But I was waiting."

"For what?"

I don’t know what it is with this woman and dramatic pauses, but it needs to stop.

Because yet again, there’s silence on the other end of the phone.

Only this time, when she speaks, I swear I can hear a smile in her voice.

"For a little growth," she articulates, almost proudly.

"And what I saw the LNHL finals the other week? That’s exactly what we need. "

I huff out an awkward laugh. "I didn't even score," I dismiss, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear.

Alvie makes a disgruntled noise, like she’s unimpressed with my modesty.

"I’m not talking about scoring," she says plainly. "I’m talking about teamwork. Think you can handle it?"

My heart starts racing, pounding so hard I feel the vibrations in my fingertips. "Yes," I answer, steadier this time. "I can handle it."

And in this moment, despite the storm of nerves swirling inside me, I mean it. Right now, I feel good. Maybe tomorrow I’ll be filled with doubt and self-loathing, and nepotism spirals, but for now, in this heartbeat, I am enough.

She continues, tone turning blunt. “Listen, it’s an immediate position. We’d want you to start conditioning and training as soon as possible. If you’d like, I can email you the details. It would start with a one-year contract, but we'd consider renewing provided everything goes smoothly .”

She places extra weight on the word "smoothly", which doesn’t at all heighten my anxiety. I swallow, trying to process the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside.

“So, what do you think?”

Another disbelieving laugh tumbles out of me, and I blink what has to be a hundred times, still trapped at the beginning.

Still lost as to how this is happening. Considering, briefly, that Harlowe slipped me an edible and I simply forgot.

“ Yeah! I mean—” I shake my head excitedly, eyes flicking to my friends in the stands.

Harlowe and Bailey are going to lose it.

“I—” I stop again, eyes catching on Darcy. Immediately, my grin drops, and my stomach plummets down three floors, shattering on the ground below.

This is the Porcupines . This was her team. The one she worked her whole life for. And here I am, swooping in, like it was mine all along. I didn’t even know I wanted to be on the Porcupines until now.

My voice falters, guilt tugging at my chest. "Sorry, um—" I hesitate, fingers tightening around the phone so hard I swear I hear a crack. "Is there any way I could have some time to think about it?"

“I know it’s a lot to take in,” Alvie says, her voice softer now. “But we’ll need to move quickly. Let’s call it forty-eight hours. Deal?”

I draw in a slow, steadying breath, the excitement in my body tainting to something sour.

I want this. I want it so badly I’m struggling to speak.

But at what cost? I glance at Darcy again, thinking about everything she’s been through.

Everything she’s lost. Everything she’s done for me to even be seen by a coach like Alvie.

“Yeah,” I manage, my voice tight. “Yeah, I’ll definitely let you know before then.”

“Alright then. I believe I have your email on file, so I’ll send over the details. Do you have any questions for me?”

I blink, trying to find the words. I should have some. Anyone else would. And I probably do, but right now, all I can think about is her. Is what a twisted way this is for fate to intervene. “I’m sure I’ll think of some,” I say finally, my voice small. There’s a hum of approval from the other end.

“I know this is a lot to take in at once,” she says. “But I really think this could be an incredible opportunity for you. Please reach out if you think of anything. I look forward to hearing from you.”

“Thank you,” I gush. “So, s o much for considering me. I’ll let you know as soon as I have an answer.”

“Of course,” she replies. Then adds, “Take your time, but you know, not too much time.”

A nervous laugh escapes me, and I trip over my own tongue. “Okay, I will! Or— I won’t! ”

I can hear the chuckle on the other end. Then, the line goes quiet.

I stare at the phone for a moment, my thoughts a tangled mess. The adrenaline of the call lingers, but now all I can hear is the beat of my own heart, pounding in my ears.

“What was all that about?” Darcy's voice sounds behind me.

Startled, I whip around, the lump in my throat making it hard to breathe. “Uh—” My voice catches as I try to find my footing. I blink a few times, but it does nothing to help me process.

Her grin drops. “What’s wrong?”

I swallow hard, letting out a steadying breath. “That was—” I hesitate. Even saying the name feels like a betrayal. “I’m not bullshitting you, Darcy, so don’t think I am. But… that was Alvie Lippencott.”

Darcy’s brows furrow, confusion fluttering across her face before her eyes widen with recognition. “Wait. Not like—”

“Like the head coach for the Porcupines.” I exhale sharply. “Yeah. ”

Her brows shoot to her hairline, gaze flicking between my eyes, just as disbelieved as I was.

“What did she want?” she asks.

I swallow again, my throat tight, trying to keep my composure. “She—” I breathe, steadying myself, and lock eyes with her. “She just offered me a spot on the roster. There was a major injury on the team, and the player isn’t coming back next season.”

My voice comes out lower than I intend, like I’m ashamed to admit it. Like I’ve done something wrong. Like hey, I’m sorry I flew too close to the sun and now I’m being asked to play on the team that you had ripped right out from under you. My bad.

“Wait, wait, wait,” Darcy says, shaking her head like that will suddenly piece everythign together. “You’re not saying that you were just offered a spot on the Porcupines?”

I nod.

“ Woah, ” she breathes, collapsing onto the bench beside us. I follow her down, sinking into the worn wood, which groans beneath our weight.

“Yeah,” I breathe. “ Woah. ”

I open my mouth to apologize, to tell her I’ll turn it down, that no contract is worth risking what we have. But I don’t even get the words out before she lets out an electric shriek so high-pitched, I nearly tumble off the bench, startled.

Those ivy eyes are wild with excitement as she leans forward, knuckles going pale as she grips the edge of her seat.

“Well?” she asks breathlessly. “What did you say?!”

I clear my throat, a nasty infestation of nerves still crawling under my skin.

“I—I told her I’d think about it.” I shrug. Like that’s an everyday occurrence. Like it’s normal to get the opportunity of a lifetime, something that could make your career, and say that you’ll "think about it".

Her face falls, a crease etching between her strawberry brows. “You what ?!”

"It’s a huge decision, Darcy. I mean, if I take it, my NCAA status is gone. And if they don’t sign me after the season, I’m pretty much screwed. Plus, there's Harlowe and Bailey and—”

Darcy cuts me off, her eyes narrowing suspiciously, like she can see right through me.

Which, you know, she can.

“Pine trees,” she says calmly.

I blink. “What?”

“You said you didn’t want to move to California because there weren’t enough pine trees.

And it was too far from your family. And you liked the rain.

” She crosses her arms. “But Portland’s rainy.

And piney. And it’s not all that far. And you never worried about your NCAA status when you were trying to get drafted by the Sabertooths.

So why is that suddenly such a problem?”

“Because I feel like an asshole!” I admit, tossing my hands up. “You had this job in your hands and had it ripped away from you. I don’t want to—I can’t do that to you. I feel terrible, Darcy. And I don’t want you to pretend like you’re okay with watching it happen if you aren’t.”

She stares at me, her arms tucked over her GU crewneck, red brows furrowed.

“I mean sure, it sucks. But it doesn’t suck any less to watch you take it. It would suck a thousand times more if you didn’t take it.” She sighs, her handing finding mine, grip tightening. Her eyes begin to gloss over, and she sniffs.

“Look at me. The only reason it sucks is because I lost the lottery. And the truth is, if this call came from any other team in the Pacific Northwest, you’d have taken it without another thought.

Don’t make yourself smaller to make me feel better.

It doesn’t make me feel better. I want you to move mountains.

Break records. You can’t do that by giving up these opportunities. ”

I swipe a tear from her cheek, letting it dissolve into my hand. “You’re crying,” I say softly, heart breaking as the sight of her.

“They’re happy tears.” She sniffles, offering a weak smile. But it doesn’t fool me.

“They’re not just happy tears,” I murmur, wiping another drop away. “And I’m not going to pretend they are.”

“They are, Peyton,” she insists, a watery laugh escaping her. “I’m so happy for you.”

I wrap my arms around her, needing her close. I breathe in her perfume, the warmth of her body pressing into mine.

“You can be happy for me and sad for you,” I say gently. “That’s allowed.”

Darcy’s teary eyes lift to meet mine, and this time, a stronger smile breaks through.

“I’m not letting you make this about me,” she says firmly, though more tears follow, tracing the soft lines of her heart-shaped face.

I kiss her forehead, then meet her gaze.

“It’s not. It’s about us . You and me. And yeah, I want to take it. But I’m not going to make that decision without factoring you in. You’re always a factor, Darcy.”

She leans in until her forehead rests against mine.

“You’re always a factor too,” she whispers. Her lips brush mine, then she pulls me into a kiss.

“You’re going to take it,” she whispers against my skin.

My hand finds her cheek, cupping it gently.

“Okay,” I say. “I’m going to take it.” I pause, then pull back just enough to flash her a teasing smile. “You know this means you’re a WAG, right?”

She blinks. “Wait, what?”

I shrug. “Rules are rules. You’re totally a WAG.”

She rolls her eyes. “Does the PWHL even have WAGs?”

I raise a brow, grinning. “I’m pretty sure the PWHL only has WAGs.”

She stares at me for a beat, then we both burst out laughing.