Power Play (BTU Alumni #1) Read online

  Alley Ciz

  Power Play

  BTU Alumni Series Book #1

  Alley Ciz

  Also by Alley Ciz

  BTU Alumni Series

  Power Play

  Tap Out- Coming September 9th

  Sweet Victory- Coming November 11th

  Hockey players are off limits...especially if they're on your brothers' team.

  The last time Jordan did that, it ended in disaster. It was easy to promise her brothers she'd never date another one of their teammates again.

  Until she meets Jake.

  The spark she feels when she spends time with him makes her promise harder and harder to keep.

  Surely her brothers would understand breaking this promise if it means following her heart.

  Wouldn't they?

  Never sleep with a teammate's sister.

  This is the universal rule of athletes everywhere.

  Until he meets Jordan.

  As soon as Jake sets eyes on her, he wants her.

  The goalie's job is to see missed shots and failed opportunities on the ice.

  This is one shot he's not going to miss, no matter what obstacles get in his way.

  POWER PLAY is a flirty, swoon worthy sexy rom-com and the first book in the BTU Alumni Series and can be read as a standalone. If you like hockey boys, sarcastic friends, matchmaking K9s, too-cute-to-handle kindergartners, fierce heroines and swoony hot as puck Alpha heroes, then you want to get to know this cast of characters. One puck head and an HEA guaranteed.

  Advanced Reader Copy

  Power Play (BTU Alumni, Book 1)

  Alley Ciz

  Copyright © 2019 by House of Crazy Publishing, LLC

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, medium and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

  Copyright © 2019 by House of Crazy Publishing, LLC

  All rights reserved.

  Without limiting the rights under the copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Digital ISBN: 978-1-950884-00-1

  Print ISBN: 978-1-950884-00-1

  Cover Designer: Julia Cabrera at Jersey Girl Designs

  Editing: Ben Leroy

  Proofreading: Gem’s Precise Proofreads; Dawn Black

  Created with Vellum

  For my OG Beta readers Megan and Melanie for pushing me to complete Jake and Jordan’s story, regardless for how many years it took.

  For my parents for making the dream of being an author possible.

  And finally Maria Luis and Renee Linda for giving me the push I needed to take the chance.

  Contents

  Text Handles

  Playlist

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Epilogue

  Randomness For My Readers

  For A Good Time Call

  Sneak Peak of Tap Out

  Acknowledgments

  Also by Alley Ciz

  About the Author

  Text Handles

  The Coven

  Jordan: MOTHER OF DRAGONS

  Skye: MAKES BOYS CRY

  Maddey: QUEEN OF SMUT

  Sammy: THE SPIN DOCTOR

  The Boys

  Jake: THE BRICK WALL

  Tucker: WANNA TUCK

  Playlist

  *

  Justin Timberlake: “FutureSex/LoveSound”

  Lauv/Julia Michaels: “There’s No Way”

  Bruno Mars: “That’s What I Like”

  Nick Jonas: “Jealous”

  Aerosmith: “Rag Doll”

  Bruno Mars (feat Cardi B): “Finesse Remix”

  Britney Spears: “Toxic”

  8-Bit Arcade: “Katy Perry & Zedd Emulation”

  Lady Antebellum: “Just A Kiss”

  Ed Sheeran: “Kiss Me”

  John Mayer: “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room”

  Rayvon Owen: “Can’t Fight It (Stripped)”

  Rihanna/Calvin Harris: “We Found Love”

  John Legend: “You & I (Nobody in the World)”

  Chapter One

  Jake relaxed into his seat in the VIP section of Rookies Sports Bar taking in the atmosphere. Rookies was packed, proving yet again it was the place to be on a Saturday night. Nothing run-of-the-mill about it.

  The main floor was comprised of an open dance floor lined with six person bench tables with a U-shaped bar. The access for the VIP area they were sitting in was up a flight of stairs toward the back. It covered half the dance floor providing a great view of the main bar, only surpassed by the DJ’s position above all. With its own bar, lounge couches and tables, it was obvious why the guys claimed it. The walls were lined with seventy-inch plasma TV’s and one-of-a-kind sports memorabilia, a sports fanatic’s ultimate fantasy.

  The night started off just like any other Saturday night, with Jake and some of the guys from the hockey team enjoying a night out at Rookies. However, Jake could feel an undercurrent throughout the group.

  Two of his friends, Ryan, the captain and star forward of the team, and Jase, a defenseman Jake relied on during the games, caused the change of energy. Jase’s twin brother, JD, was supposed to be joining them. It would be the first time he had the opportunity to meet him.

  After two long, hard years they had a bond and many fond memories. He was closest with Jase since they were the same year but his friendship with Ryan was not far behind. Those friendships were growing stronger everyday with Ryan and Jase’s family moving in next door to Jake’s family a few weeks ago.

  “When’s JD supposed to get here?” Jake asked Jase.

  His friend checked the time on his phone. “Any minute now I would think.”

  Jake couldn’t believe that he hadn’t met JD in the past two years. It was hard enough to coordinate schedules for one student athlete let alone two, attending different schools didn’t help either. He guessed all that would change now that JD was transferring to Brighton Tynes University from NYU.

  Thoughts of JD always circled around to the other Donnelly sibling he also had yet to meet, Jordan. Jake knew she also attended NYU, aside from this however he lacked any other details. After seeing pictures of her, drawn by her b
eauty, he tried to find out more about her through social media but her accounts, like JD’s, were private. Her brothers were no help either, they were surprisingly tight-lipped when the topic of their sister came up.

  The guys sat in the circle alcove by the bar so they could create their own area in the VIP. They were always able to claim the best spot, close to the bar and overlooking the dance floor.

  Jase was sitting next to Jake with his back to the dance floor. He sat up suddenly. “JD’s here.”

  Ryan was sitting across from them and shook his head at his younger brother. “How do you know? You aren’t even facing the door.”

  “I just know. It’s a twin thing.” He said with a smug look on his face.

  Ryan sighed. “You guys and that freaky ESP stuff.”

  Jake ignored the brothers’ discussion over ESP and started looking around the bar and that’s when he saw her.

  His breath caught as he watched the most beautiful girl he had ever seen hug the bouncer hello and make her way into Rookies. Sure she was beautiful but there was something in his gut that made him unable to look away.

  As he continued his gaze, he observed how she walked around hugging some of the employees and he began to wonder how she knew them because there was no doubt he’d never seen her here before, she was not someone you forgot. From this distance there was something familiar about her though he couldn’t put his finger on it.

  Jake was brought back to reality by Ryan snapping his fingers in his face. “Jake. Hello? Dude, come back to Earth. What are you looking at?”

  The realization that there were other people around him struck. “Oh, my bad. Just spaced out for a minute there.”

  Slowly Jake turned his back to the girl and faced his friends. He took a long pull of his beer trying to take the edge off the feeling in his gut.

  He wasn’t sure why he didn’t tell his friends about her, but a part of him wanted to keep the information to himself. He knew he wasn’t successful when Tucker, his best friend from growing up and another teammate, looked over the edge.

  “I don’t know what he was looking at but I know I see a hot blonde down there that I’ve never seen before. Who wants to be my wingman?”

  Jake’s body tensed.

  Jake knew most girls thought Tucker was a looker but he was also a big time player. He was cocky and tried to get with anything in a skirt.

  “Seriously bro you choose now to give in to your man-whore urges?” Jase rolled his eyes. “JD will be up here any minute. Can’t you keep it in your pants for a few more minutes?”

  “Plus weren’t you trying to seal the deal with Skye again less than ten minutes ago?” Ryan nodded his head toward their pretty bartender.

  “She’s got plans tonight. So no dice.” Tucker said with a frown.

  “Come on Jake, be the Goose to my Maverick. You know I’ll get this girl to come back up here quick. You know how this works, we’ve been doing it for over a decade.”

  Jake followed Tucker down from the VIP area to the main bar. Shaking his head, he watched as Tucker went straight for the blonde he saw.

  She was leaning over the bar enjoying a conversation with the bartender, based on the smiles on their faces, as they made their approach.

  Tucker broke into a confident stride. His confidence unnerved Jake as he slid next to the girl. “Hey there gorgeous, how about you let me buy you a drink?”

  She was almost a foot shorter than them but she had legs that seemed to go on for days, which showed nicely in her short denim skirt and flip-flops. A jeweled belt accentuated her small waist while a long necklace drew attention to the cleavage displayed in her tank. She may have been petite, but it didn’t take away from her hourglass shape and dangerous curves. He thought she was attractive from a distance, but up close she was stunning. Long, straight blonde hair framed her face and tumbled down her back. Her hazel eyes were framed by dark lashes and her pink gloss had him zeroing in on her lush lips.

  She turned to Tucker. “Um no thanks, I’m good.” Jake was pleased to catch her coyly look him up and down and not Tucker.

  Her gaze sparked something inside him but he fought to keep his composure.

  Tucker was unfazed by her rejection. Jake knew he considered it another hurdle in the cat and mouse game he loved to play with girls. He thought it was all part of his charm. “Come on honey, come with me I’ll get you a drink and get you into the VIP. I know people.”

  She looked annoyed as she turned back to face Tucker. “Oh you know people do you?” She paused to grab a bottle of beer off the bar. “Well I think I’ll take my chances. I know people too.”

  She reached out and took Tucker’s hand, turning it palm up. “But here, have this beer on me to help you think of a better approach.”

  Then with one more look at Jake she turned and went up the stairs to the VIP, stopping to give the bouncer a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

  Tucker stood next to the bar, beer in hand, mouth agape at the girl who blew him off. Next to him Jake couldn’t help but smile that she didn’t fall for his cocky charm.

  Along with the satisfaction of Tucker’s failure, there was a gut feeling he had to know more about this girl. She was too captivating to be ignored.

  JORDAN HUGGED ZEEK the bouncer working the front door of Rookies before she entered. It had been two years since she was there for a night out, which to her was two years too long. The beat of the bass coming through the speakers surrounded her as she let the sense of homecoming settle inside her. It was all the confirmation she needed that she made the right decision.

  As she walked around saying hi to any familiar faces, she recalled the fight she had with her brothers over coming back.

  “You’re transferring to BTU?” Ryan asked. She could tell he was shocked by this.

  “Yeah. Skye is too.”

  “Why? I thought NYU was her dream school.”

  “It is. Or I guess it was. But BTU is offering a better Public Relations program now. They have courses now that focus on PR for athletes and you know that is what we want to focus on.” It took everything in her to keep her voice level. Losing her cool would not help the situation.

  “But you’re safer in the city.”

  She rolled her eyes at this. “Now you’re being ridiculous.”

  “But Tommy…”

  She cut off that argument immediately. “I’m not going to allow Tommy to be a factor in my decision making any longer. It has been two years and we haven’t heard anything from him. I’ve changed all my social media accounts, you guys moved hockey houses last year, and mom and dad are moving in a month. The only place he would know to look for me is Rookies and Aunt Ei owns it, it’s like home ice advantage for us.” She wished she was with her brothers in person instead of talking to them on FaceTime.

  “Are you one hundred percent sure?” Jase was the one to ask.

  “Yes I’m sure. Plus I miss you guys. I hate not seeing you guys all the time and barely being able to come to your games.”

  “We miss you too but what about swimming?” Jase asked.

  “Skye and I both already earned spots on BTU’s team based on our times. And they have a diving team we can go out for.”

  “And you’re sure there’s no changing your mind?” Ryan turned the camera back to him.

  “No. Acceptance and everything are already taken care of,” she paused before continuing. “Look school ends in a few weeks, then I head down to Florida for a month for a beach lifeguard training program. I won’t be coming home until after that at the end of June, so you have a month and a half to get used to the idea. Now I have to go. I love you both.”

  Shaking her head at the memory, she made her way over to Erin working the main bar. “Erin,” she called out.

  “Jordan! Hey girl, long time no see,” she greeted Jordan with a face-splitting smile.

  “Yeah I know.

  “Want a beer?” At Jordan’s nod Erin reached into the fridge and uncapped a bottle. “Here you go,
love.”

  “Thanks,” she gestured at Erin’s shirt. “Taking liberties with the uniform I see.”

  “Hell yeah. My tips have more than doubled, thank god your aunt is so cool.” She pulled at the knot keeping the shirt tied to expose her midriff.

  “Not surprised, you look hot.”

  “Thanks girl. But damn so do you. I’m sure your brothers are going to have something to say about that.”

  Jordan looked down at her outfit. She wore a sheer, peachy pink cami over a white lace tank, the combination complimented her tan while making the girls look good. It was the short denim skirt she wore that would be the issue for her overprotective brothers. Stopping way before mid-thigh it showed off a lot of leg. At least she was wearing flip-flops and not a killer pair of FMPs.

  She kept her makeup light so it wouldn’t melt off during her flight home from Florida. Tinted moisturizer, mascara, and lip gloss, simple but effective.

  Her conversation with Erin was rudely interrupted by a smug voice. “Hey there gorgeous, how about you let me buy you a drink?”

  Confronting the voice, her suspicions were confirmed. Sure the guy was good looking, the quintessential cocky playboy. Most likely an athlete based on his build.

 
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