Allie snickers and then eyes me up and down, taking in the jeans that I got on sale at the Gap and worn New Balance tennis shoes I’ve had for probably five years. I know she can’t find fault with the jersey, since it’s brand new, but I know what that look means.

“I’m thinking Cinderella,” Allie says to her sister, and I notice her words are slurred. “Just look at those rags she’s wearing.”

Just great . . . I’m dealing with two drunk mean girls who are decked out in high fashion with plenty of sparkling jewelry on display.

I give them both a tight smile. “Well, it’s been a pleasure talking with you, but I’m just going to—”

“Oh, boo,” Allie says with the fakest smile I’ve ever seen. She lightly taps my shoulder. “We’re just playing around with you. It’s part of the ritual . . . a little ribbing from the veteran wives.”

“Cassie’s not a wife,” I can’t help but say as I slide my gaze to her.

“No, but I’m with Mikkel,” she snaps. “He invited me here this weekend.”

“Well, good for you,” I say with a sweet smile. “I’m just going to go get another glass of wine.”

After I chug the hell out of this one, I think to myself.

I start to turn away from the women and a blur of movement catches my attention.

Sutton Crossman stalking across the ballroom floor, furious eyes flicking back and forth between Cassie and Allie. She doesn’t cause an actual scene but there is no doubt she is a woman on a mission. I see both women tense up and Allie goes a little pale.

Sutton walks right up to them and in a very low voice that’s laced with fury says, “I’m going to advise you two women to turn around and march your nasty, petty asses away from Jules, and I’d advise you to do it quickly.”

Allie immediately starts backing up, a mixture of fear and respect on her face as she stares at Sutton. Cassie, however, doesn’t take the hint and puffs her chest out like a peacock. “You don’t scare me, Sutton. I’m not afraid of you just because you’re married to the captain of this team.”

“Of course you’re not scared,” Sutton scoffs. “You’re merely jealous I married the captain, and I find it really pathetic.”

I take a sip of my wine, hating this confrontation and needing the fortitude.

“Oh, I think you’re the jealous one,” Cassie hisses, and leans in closer to Sutton. “After all, I had Alex first.”

I nearly choke on my wine and feel a little start to come out of my nose, which I hastily wipe at as my eyes turn wildly to Sutton.

Sutton throws her head back and laughs, and it is a genuine, amused laugh. “Oh God, Cassie. Do you know how bad you were in bed? Alex said you would scream like a cat in heat and there was nothing attractive about that at all. Also, he said your blow jobs were awful and he always had to close his eyes and think of some porn he’d watched just to get off.”

Cassie’s mouth falls open in shock and then sort of opens and closes like a gasping fish. Allie simply turns and walks away, I think embarrassed for her sister’s beat-down by the captain’s wife and hoping to stay out of the crosshairs.

Finally, Cassie mutters, “That’s not true.”

“Yeah, well neither is the shit that was written about Jules,” Sutton snaps at her with narrow eyes. “My point being, don’t do anything to spread nasty rumors, okay? I won’t take kindly to it.”

The threat is clear.

Cassie takes the threat to heart and I can see her mind whirling, wondering if she really is that bad in bed, and I can even see her wondering if this will have negative repercussions on her standing with Mikkel. I mean, I’m sure he’s already dived into that but she sure as hell wouldn’t want him hearing this stuff.

Spinning on her heel, Cassie totters away with her metaphorical tail hanging between her legs. I stare after her just a moment, my mind blown over that exchange, and then I just turn to look at Sutton in wonder.

“I thought Max was my hero, but damn, Sutton . . . you’re giving him a run for his money,” I murmur as I hold my wine glass up. She clinks hers to mine. “Cheers.”

“What was all that about?” I hear from behind me at the exact moment strong arms wrap around my waist. I crane my neck to see Max smiling down at me.

“Cassie and Allie being bitches,” Sutton says matter-of-factly. “I ran them off.”

I nod in agreement. “Sutton’s my hero too.”

Max’s eyes darken and he growls so deeply I feel it rumble down my own spine. “What the fuck did they say?”

“Nothing,” I assure him quickly as I turn around to face him fully. “They’re drunk I think. Just let it go.”

Max’s eyes travel from mine across the ballroom floor. I turn and see he’s locked them on Cassie and Allie.

“Max,” I murmur, sliding one hand around his neck. “Let it go, okay?”

He doesn’t look at me but keeps his narrowed eyes on the two women.

So I repeat to him, “Max . . . baby . . . it’s fine, right, Sutton?”

I turn to Sutton and . . . she’s gone?

I look around and see her standing on the opposite side of the room, standing up on her tiptoes to give Alex a kiss.

“Babe,” Max mutters, and I turn to look back at him. “Are you sure you don’t want me to say something? I told you those girls are trouble and you should ignore them, but I’m not going to have them treating you badly. The organization won’t allow that to happen.”

I slide my hand back down and pat Max on the chest. “Honey . . . while you are strong and manly in many ways, and while I get a little horny when you come riding to my rescue, I think in this instance it’s best not to stir the hornet’s nest, okay?”

And, it works. He gets completely distracted.

“Horny?” he asks with a cocked eyebrow.

“Mmmm-hmmm,” I answer with a sultry purse of my lips. “I’ll show you when we get back to the room.”

“Let’s go now,” he suggests.

“Let’s eat dinner first,” I counter.

He grins down before leaning toward me and kissing my forehead. “Dinner first. But just so you know, I have a special surprise planned when we get back to the room.”