Page 52 of The Girlfriend Card (Vegas Sin #4)

I want to be clear that I am not implying that all actors are secretly unhappy , or something sinister like that.

I have so much respect for my fellow actors and actresses and I still totally love acting as a craft and an art form.

I just feel like, for me, acting served its purpose by getting me exactly where I needed to be to fix my life—and now that I’m finally there, I’m ready for the next challenge.

So what is the next challenge, exactly?

Owning a hockey team!

I’m perfectly content to leave the on-ice stuff to our hockey staff.

But as the owner, I know I have an excellent opportunity to make a positive impact on our community.

In my first year, we started numerous initiatives, and worked side-by-side with local hospitals, charities and schools.

It’s so important to me that young kids, especially girls, have a chance to pursue their dreams—whether that’s playing a sport or acting or whatever .

And that’s really about it! School’s over, and I’m moving in with Dakota, and we are more in love now than ever before.

But I guess you’re probably curious about what happened with ol’ Salvatore Capuano, aren’t you?

Dad’s been fine. He’s been a lot more chill in general since he’s out of the sports ownership business and completely given up on his political aspirations.

I guess, after he spilled all the details about me and Leo during the press conference, he pissed off Leo’s dad.

Senator Lancaster suddenly had to answer a bunch of questions of what he knew and didn’t know about the situation.

Naturally, Mr. Lancaster, being a skillful politician, lied right through his teeth.

But it didn’t matter. The stink of scandal remained, and Lancaster, once considered an early favorite for President, lost an early primary.

As for me and Dad, well, the situation is complicated.

I know he deeply regrets how he handled everything because he tells me literally all the time and every single time I see him.

I can tell he’s changed a lot because he also started telling me how proud he is of me, and the confident woman I’ve become.

I know he yearns to repair our relationship someday—in fact, he’s even extended an offer for us to attend therapy together.

(Trust me, the old Sal Capuano would have never .) I will take him up on that offer someday …

but I still need a little more time before I dive back into that trauma.

My emotions about that whole situation are all still quite raw.

Obviously, a lot happened, and there’s a lot to unpack.

Then again, that’s exactly what the therapy is for, eh?

It just won’t be easy. But then again, the things worth doing never are—and if I never gave Dad a chance to redeem himself, I know I’d regret it later in life when he’s not around anymore.

As for Leo? Leo’s just fine. Better than ever, in fact.

He’s also gotten out of politics and is going to cooking school instead.

Cooking! His new passion! Who knew?! He’d never cooked a thing in his life that I can remember.

But it’s been such a joy to watch Leo break out of his shell and rediscover himself now that he doesn’t have to pretend to be someone else, either.

Not only are we still friends—but he and Dakota became friends, too!

In fact, Dakota set Leo up on a date with a fellow professional hockey player who confided in Dakota that he’s gay.

The two dated for a couple months, but Leo broke it off—and why?

Because the athlete “wasn’t ready to come out yet,” and Leo wasn’t willing to waste any more of his life living a lie.

Amazing, right? I’m so happy for him.

It’s crazy to think how many lives changed for the better when Dakota and I met … but I guess, when you really love someone, that love tends to pour out and touch other people, too.

The chant we ignited spread like wildfire, engulfing the entire arena in an overwhelming display of unity. Nineteen thousand fans stood on their feet, their collective voice merging into a single force as they chanted, clapped, and stomped their feet to the beat:

“Let’s go, Ve~gas!”

Clap, clap, clap clap clap!

“Let’s go, Ve~gas!”

A tidal wave of energy electrified the air and shook the foundations of the building. As the chorus echoed in perfect harmony, and the arena trembled beneath my feet, the hairs on the back of my neck stood tall.

“This is wild,” Sofia said, a shiver dancing up her spine.

“No joke! I’m freakin’ out right now!” Isabelle offered me her arm. “Feel, Ottavia.”

I ran my fingers over her skin, already knowing her skin was covered in goosebumps—because I had a million little thrills popping up all over my flesh, too.

“Same!” I said, letting her feel my arm.

At last the lights dimmed, and the players’ intro music began to play, but the fans showed no sign of quieting down as our boys emerged from the tunnel. The fans roared even louder, their powerful chorus reaching a thunderous crescendo, as the players raced out onto the ice like gallant warriors.

And we girls, of course, went absolutely wild cheering for our boys.

“I’m so nervous!” McKayla confided in me. “Think they can do this?”

I could tell she was afraid to get her hopes up—but I had no such fears. I could sense it in the air. We were winning the Cup tonight.

“They can,” I said with a determined nod of my head, “and they will.”