Page 61 of The Replay

Despite my family's proximity to the world, there's one thing I've never done. If I ever wore a jersey, it had SINCLAIR written on the back. No one else's name. Not even when I was with Dom and I was trying to be a supportive girlfriend.

"Was that the family's sport of choice, then?" Nat asks. "Hockey?"

I cross my arms. We're watching the teams set up and get ready for the game. On the mega screen, they show the coin toss. The Strike will start on offense, which means our side of the team will be on the field right away. All of the guys in the friend group are on offense.

"It was a mix of sports, really," I say. "My dad watched soccer. My mom grew up in Canada and she put my brothers in hockey, so we had a lot of that at home. But Cora liked football. I think she did it to be contrarian."

They laugh.

"So a sports family." Ames asked. "Is that why your dad's TV network is focused on it?"

"No, that was just good business. With us, they pushed sports because they saw it as a way to learn discipline and how to work with others. For my brothers, their sport turned into a career, because for them it meant they could go into managing the team or working with Dad after their retirement with all that experience and connections. Cora stayed in sports by getting involved from the admin side."

"But you have another sister too, right?"

I nod and smile. "Maisie. She's incredible. She lives in England and runs the family foundation. I'll be her right hand once I go back."

To some this may feel like small talk. To me, this feels like curiosity, the kind I wasn't sure I knew how to connect with, when I've moved around so much.

It's funny, when I came to Seattle, I did it thinking of work and hookups before going back to England. Meeting these people is making me want to change a few things. Friends has a sweet ring to it. If we're bonding, why stop it? I've never had a chance to make friends I could keep forever. Even when I go back to London, video calls and occasional trips could keep the connection going.

Except… Dom.

"Then you must have been in sports, too?" Evie asks. "What did you play?"

"A mix of everything," I reply. "Volleyball and swimming were my favorite, but I knew it wouldn't be my career. So every time we moved, I found something to do. I played hockey in Toronto and swam in Vancouver. I played volleyball in New York and learned to ride when we were in Houston. I haven't been as committed in the past several years but, you know. Everything goes through drier seasons in life. Right now my focus is on my career."

We've been chatting while standing, not to miss the Strike's drive. They've just snapped the ball for the third time, and we all quiet as we watch Logan work through his progressions before finding his target.

I'm not sure why my heart flutters when the ball flies long and straight into Dom's arms, drawing a cheer from the crowd.

"Oh! Dom's got it!" Pen exclaims. "And he has room!"

"Run, Dom. Run!" Nat leans closer to the glass, not wanting to miss a thing.

I resist the same urge. To stop myself, I bring my hands together and squeeze. Ames has a similar thought, but she grabs onto Evie's arm instead.

Dom sprints down the field. A couple of players from the opposite team try to reach him, but give up when it's clear Dom will score. Still, I hold my breath. Until he crosses the line and noise explodes all around.

It makes sense why the big screen reads HEAR THE THUNDER. That's exactly what it feels like, up here in the suite, where the roaring of the crowd seems to make everything shake. Dom dances with Saint, and Logan and Bear celebrate at the center line, while Damián prepares to kick the extra point.

The vibe is immaculate. I relax and even smile. Pride for Dom feathers down my torso, just because I loved him years ago, when he dreamt of moments like this. If I feel affection for him today, that just makes sense.

With the team switching to defense, we sit down and go back to our drinks.

"This season is looking really good, huh?" I ask.

The team hasn't lost a game yet, and the walls of the Thunderdome echo with excitement for the dream of a second championship in a row. The prep for the Partners' Party and the Gala in December keep me busy, but everything is moving smoothly in that department, too. And I'm surrounded by lovely people I'd love to call my friends one day.

Would it be too gullible of me to think I can be friends one day with Dom, and have them all be the foundation of my new life?

Maybe, yes. Or it may be a way to prove I can get whatever version of life I choose for myself.

Evie nods. "Really good. Numbers are solid, the guys are doing great…"

"So your wedding is getting postponed?" Nat turns sideways to study Evie. "I thought you were hoping for a fall wedding."

"Didn't work out," Evie says. "It's tricky. I don't want to affect the season in any way, despite Logan not wanting to wait. Several conversations later, and… we booked a venue for the offseason."