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48. Mira

48

MIRA

"Oh my God!" Jemma's voice is slushy as she grabs my arm, shaking me even though she's talking to the entire group. "We're just down the street from that bar."

She blinks at us all, waiting for someone to say something.

Finally, Reeves steps in. "My darling, we're downtown. There are a hundred different bars. We're actually in one right now."

"We're in a steakhouse that has a bar," she argues. "That's different. But you know the one I'm talking about. The one with the—" She wiggles her arms in the air like seaweed and then flashes her hands like a strobe light.

Miraculously, Rachelle snaps her fingers. "The cocktail lounge that has bubble machines in the floor!"

"Yes!" Jemma hugs Rachelle. "I knew someone would get it. You're so smart." She kisses Rachelle sloppily on the cheek and twists back to me. "Do you know the place, Mira? Have you been there? Do you want to go?"

She's firing so many questions at me, I can't keep up. "Oh, uh?—"

"We've been to that cocktail lounge before." Zane's hand tightens on my waist. "We had a great time. They have nice bathrooms, too. Spacious."

Jemma is too busy making afterparty plans that she is definitely going to be too drunk to attend to find Zane's comment weird.

"Do you want everyone here to know we had sex in a public bathroom?" I hiss under my breath.

No one is paying any attention to us, though. Jemma isn't the only one who made good use of the open bar. The rookies are playing a very obvious game of beer pong in the back corner, despite the wall of muscle they've employed to try to hide it from the coaches. And everyone else is gathered around tables, sharing highlights and horror stories from the season.

Zane and I are the only ones left on this far edge of the room. The low lights have us almost hidden in shadow.

I feel the exhale of his laugh against my ear. "No, but I'm down for round two if you are."

Heat curls low in my belly, and I have to lean into Zane's side to stay standing. "But we'll miss the ceremony."

"It's already over. Jace retired. That was the big news of the night."

Everyone knew this would be Jace's final season, but there still wasn't a dry eye in the house when he stood up in front of the team and thanked them for all the good years. Davis was an inconsolable mess and muttered something about boycotting Jace's media announcement next week.

As soon as Jace finished his speech, he huddled up with Coach Popov in a corner and hasn't left since. I keep wondering what they're talking about, but Zane is convinced it isn't important.

"We should at least stay until Coach Popov dismisses us."

"We aren't kids in school," he teases. "I had no idea my wife was such a rule follower."

"And I had no idea you were in such a hurry to leave your own award ceremony!"

"I'm in a hurry to get out of here so I can get into you." He dips his chin and takes my earlobe between his teeth. As if we aren't standing in the middle of his work function!

My body flames and I slap my hand on his thigh, digging my nails in as a warning. I'm not sure if the warning is for him or myself.

"It feels like I'm starting to convince you." His tongue flicks out to drag across my neck. "Come on, Mira. Leave with me. Let me take you out of here and fu?—"

Shrill feedback from the mic blasts through the speakers and everyone winces.

"Sorry." Coach Popov taps the microphone a few times like that might help. "I'm more comfortable barking orders from the sidelines than using a microphone."

Everyone laughs while I give Zane a smug I told you so look. He just shifts behind me and loops an arm around my chest, pinning me against his body.

"The night may be young for you all, but it's late for me, so it's time to wrap this up so I can get home." Coach Popov pauses for another laugh. "I was going to make this announcement myself, but it feels right to let your former captain announce his successor."

Zane's arm tightens around me as Jace joins Coach on stage and grabs the microphone. I wrap my hand around Zane's, squeezing his fingers.

"I swear I'll make this quick. You all have heard enough from me tonight."

"And for the rest of our lives!" Davis jeers loudly.

Jace ignores him, continuing on. "I love this team. It's been my home for the last six years, and I couldn't walk away without making sure I left it in good hands. Which is why I'm thrilled Coach is letting me announce the next captain of the Phoenix Angels."

Carson sits up from where he's been holding court in the corner. His eyes flick over to us, but I look away quickly.

Zane said he could stay on the team if Carson became captain, but I can't imagine how. I've been mentally preparing myself for a big move if, for some reason, Carson's name comes out of Jace's mouth. I don't want to leave the family we've found here, but I'll do it for Zane.

"First," Jace adds, "I just want to give a quick thank you to the coaching staff for putting so much thought into this decision. It wasn't an easy choice, but you listened to the team and took everyone's opinions into account. We all appreciate that."

Zane lets go of me just long enough to join the smattering of applause.

"Without further ado, I'm thrilled to announce that your next captain will be… Zane Whitaker." Jace gestures towards Zane and I with a flourish, but…

Zane doesn't move.

Applause erupts around us, but Zane keeps holding onto me.

I try to wriggle away so I can clap or hug him or something , but his arm stays tight around my chest.

"Zane," I hiss, looking over my shoulder, "did you hear that? You're the captain."

I finally get a good look at his face, and he's…

Smiling. A wide, ear-to-ear, stupid happy grin. He's looking around at his teammates, taking it all in.

It's been a crazy few months where almost nothing has gone right—but this? This is perfect.

"You deserve this," I tell him, kissing the inside of his wrist. "You deserve it all."

Zane finally whirls me around and hugs me.

Davis starts a slow clap that evolves into a sloppy rendition of "He's a Jolly Good Fellow," and Zane reluctantly lets go of me. He gives me a quick kiss on the cheek before he's roped into hugs and handshakes and claps on the back.

Coach Popov shakes Zane's hand and leads him off to talk shop, I'm sure. I'm beyond happy for him, but I also want this moment to be about him. Zane has been working for this for years, and I don't want to get in the way.

I make my way through the crowd towards the bar. I have a feeling Zane isn't going to want to rush off after that announcement. He'll want to stay and bask in the glory a little while longer, as he should. So I order an iced tea. It's been my drink of choice all night. Zane told me I could drink, but I told him I'd rather stay sober with him.

The bartender has to go into the kitchen to get my tea, and as soon as she's gone, a hand snakes around my wrist.

For a split second, I think it's Zane.

I turn around with a smile…

Until I see who is actually standing behind me.

Then, before I can rip my hand away from him, Carson Deluth is pulling me through a side door and into a dark hallway.

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