Chapter 11 Madison
Madison
I’m a dog owner! I bury my face in Ace’s soft, silky hair, loving the feel of it tickling my face.
He’s just perfect. He snuffs my hair and licks my cheek.
It’s love at first sight for both of us.
I already know he’s my guy. He’s a cuddler, and I couldn’t be happier about it.
He’s making himself at home in my lap, nuzzling my face while giving me the occasional lick.
I love that Liam’s just as enamored with Ace as I am, because it’s cute as hell.
He’s been showing me some basic commands, and Ace is responding like a dream, already looking up at Liam with heart eyes.
Walker’s a different story. Ace is hesitant with my brother, and I’m more amused by it than I should be.
Walker’s trying so hard to get his attention, and Ace couldn’t care less. It’s driving Walker crazy.
Kenji has moved to the kitchen, and is picking through all the leftovers. With his restrictive training diet, there are only a few things he can eat when we order takeout.
Since I’ve only got one couch, everyone’s sprawled out wherever they can find room.
My apartment is feeling like a shoebox with three huge guys, all over six feet, spread out over my minimal furniture.
I’m no slouch in the height department, but I’m feeling tiny at five foot eight.
Liam has claimed the couch, just like I knew he would, even putting up his feet to “save my seat.” He gave Walker the stink eye when he tried to take my spot.
My brother just smirked and took over my bed because it’d the only place left, and we have no personal space, apparently.
I swear if it smells like his feet later, I’m going to kick his butt.
I love him, but his feet and I have been enemies since junior high.
Liam moves his feet for me to sit, which are not at all stinky, I notice. Once I take my seat, Ace jumps up, tail wagging in happiness, as he snuggles into the small space between us. Liam laughs and ruffles his fur.
I survey the room. This is my family. These are the people that I love and trust the most. My heart is so full seeing them all in my space, at ease and relaxed.
Even Walker and his stinky feet. It’s been years since we’ve all been together this way, and it makes me realize how much I’ve missed this.
I know everyone has a crazy travel schedule, but I’m determined to make these kinds of nights a regular thing. Somehow.
I’m so caught up in my musing that I miss Walker grabbing a copy of my latest romance book and thumbing through the pages. Damn it! Now, I deeply regret tabbing all the spicy scenes.
“Walker! Personal space. Leave my book alone.” I bark out, irritated at his lack of consideration for my belongings. He, of course, ignores me. Typical.
“Wow Mads. What the hell are you reading? This is straight up porn just in book form?” Because of course he went straight for the tabs.
I’m going to kill him. My face flames as all the guys look at me.
Kenji, with a knowing smirk, already knows what I read, as we’ve discussed it often.
Walker with surprise and a little ‘ew gross, because he’s my brother.
Liam, however, is wearing a distinctly different face.
There’s curiosity and surprise, but also a hell of a lot of interest, and is that heat I see? Damn. Why do I like that so much?
“What I’m reading is none of your business! Besides, maybe you should read a romance or two. It might help you keep a girlfriend longer than a week.”
“Woah, shots fired.” Kenji quips.
“Hey, I have no problem with women. I’m a catch, I just don’t want to be caught yet.”
I roll my eyes at him.
“Why can’t women watch porn like a normal people?” Walker whines.
“You mean men. Women don’t watch porn, our version is a romance novel. Women are different.”
“What do you mean?” Liam asks, as if he’s actually curious about the answer.
“Look, guys are visual, so porn works for you. Women need more than an emotionless visual. It’s hard to explain, and it most definitely doesn’t apply to all women, but for me, I need the love story, the yearning emotion behind it, and the happy ending. That’s why I like romance novels.”
“Hmm, I’ve never really thought about it that way.” Liam murmurs, and it’s as if I opened up a whole new door for him, and damn, if that doesn’t feel good. We smile softly at each other. My heart beats a little faster.
“That’s stupid. Why are women so complicated. Why can’t you just be normal?” Ladies and gentlemen, my brother, the jerk.
“Then we’d be more like men. Is that really what you want, Walker?” I ask.
“Of course not, but it’s such a pain to deal with all the emotions, Mads.”
“Says my emotionally unavailable brother! Maybe you need to read one. God knows the women in your life would appreciate it.”
“Yeah, well now that I know it’s all porn, that’s a possibility.” He responds. If I could roll my eyes harder, I would.
“You’re such an asshat.” I’m completely over his “bro dude” attitude. Although I know he’s just doing it to get a rise out of me. For some reason, it’s catching me the wrong way tonight.
“I think it’s interesting. I’ve never even thought about why women read romance. It’s kind cool to know there’s something out there that explains things. I feel lost half the time.” Liam confesses, looking sheepish.
“Do you like to read?” I ask. How do I not know that? I can’t believe we’ve never discussed it before, especially with how long I’ve known him.
“I don’t love it but I do love a well-done audiobook. I just finished listening to Mark Messier’s book, No One Wins Alone. It was excellent.” Audiobooks. Interesting. I know just the book to suggest.
“Oh, I can recommend a fantastic audiobook for you. I’ll send you a text with the name and author. It’s a hockey romance so it should be right up your alley.” I smirk. I just wish I could watch him listen to that first spicy scene. His facial expressions would make my whole day.
“Those are a thing?” he asks, eyes wide and mouth ajar. I find his disbelief amusing.
“Those are absolutely a thing. Big thing actually.” I decide I won’t go into all the MM and reverse harem books. He seems to be shocked enough for now.
“Well, now I’m curious. Thanks, Mads.” He gives me a grateful smile, and I feel a tiny stab of guilt that I might blindside him, but not enough to change my mind about my recommendation.
I get up to grab some more water. Kenji gives me a meaningful look as I walk past him.
“What?”
“You’re kind of evil.” he says quietly. I look over. The boys don’t notice. They’re already talking about practice tomorrow. I smirk.
“Maybe just a little.” I wink at him.
“Those straight boys have no idea of the education they’re about to get.” He says as he shakes his head in amusement. I give him a wickedly smug smile.
“Right?”
Everyone eventually heads home. Tomorrow is the start of the two a day practices for training camp for Liam and Walker, and my first class for their team, so we made it an early evening.
Now it’s just me and Ace. It feels like we’ve been together forever.
We just seem to click so well. He follows me around as I get ready for bed like he’s been doing it for years, not hours.
I’m already so very much in love with my handsome boy.
When I get into bed for the night, and he stays seated at the end of the bed, my heart gives a painful lurch.
I decide that I’m a “dogs in the bed at night person” no matter what his prior life has been like.
I call him to me, and he bounds joyfully onto the bed, snuggling up against my back like we’ve always been together.
I settle in, and he snuggles up to me, a warm, comforting weight against my back.
The fear and anxiety that’s been a constant companion since the attempted break-in has finally dissipated. Having Ace with me makes me feel safe, and sleep is easy to find tonight.
This morning has been a disaster! I was almost late getting to the arena because I didn’t know what to do with Ace this morning.
It’s August, and it’s way too hot to leave him in the car.
So, I just left him at home while he stared woefully at me while I walked out the door.
It was awful, and I almost cried. Unfortunately, Ace has to be a problem for future Madison, because I can’t be late for my first class for the Wolves.
Kenji pulls up just as I get to the doors, and I wait so we can walk in together.
We’re here early, so we have plenty of time to talk through the program I have planned for today before class starts.
Damon, looking every bit the silver fox he is, stops by in his workout gear to greet us as we’re getting the room set up.
I get a front-row seat to his man crush on Kenji, and it’s both adorable and hilarious.
Of course, Kenz handles it so well. He’s so good at dealing with this kind of thing and not making it weird.
Damon sets up his own mat in the back. I love that he’s not afraid to get down in the trenches with his players.
The expressions on the player’s faces when they spot Kenji are just too entertaining.
Damon is clearly not the only one with a man crush.
I’m going to tease him endlessly about it later.
Damon’s idea about including him is a winner, and I can guarantee that it’s helping with attendance by the number of last-minute arrivals.
I hope it inspires at least some players to continue.
Liam and my brother are in the front row. I made them promise, upon pain of death, that they would keep Walker’s and my relationship to themselves. It’s important to me that people accept me on my own merit, even if they figure it out, eventually. We do have the same last name.
I give everyone a few extra minutes to get settled before Kenji and I move to our mats. Kenji’s going to demonstrate the poses while I walk around and check everyone’s form.