Chapter 16
MAVERICK
By Sunday night, I’m ready to play hockey. I’m ready to skate hard, fight, and burn this frustration out of me.
It’s been a long three days of Knox challenging me at every turn.
From feats of strength to who has the best wardrobe to who remembers the most about past family visits…
I’m ready to stuff him in a dumpster. Then I find out Corey Hayes is waiting for Dove to go home like some creepy predator ready to pounce.
I walk out to the living room, drinking my red Mountain Dew, and of course, Knox is sitting across from her on the couch talking about poetry. Give me a break.
“You never told me why ‘Love Song’ is your favorite poem.” He is always smiling at her like he won the lottery.
“Well…” Her pretty blue eyes rise like she’s thinking, and I want to walk over and plop right down between them.
At the very least, I want to walk over to where she’s sitting, slide my thumb along the line of her jaw, into her hair. Then I want to lean down and kiss her. What would that be like?
Ever since Austin suggested I go with her to the wedding, I haven’t been able to stop trying to make it happen. I hate the idea of her fighting for LaGrange Orchard and fighting some dickhead who thinks he owns her.
Of course, her family is there. She’s right, and I know all of them. They’ll take care of her, but I want to take care of her.
She continues talking about her favorite poem with Knox. “When he asked, ‘Do I dare to eat a peach?’ I was like, this one’s for me!”
She shakes her head, dropping her chin with a little laugh.
“You’ve got some peach fuzz right here.” Knox reaches over to scrub the back of his finger against her cheek, and her eyes go big.
“Knox Bradford, I do not!” She slaps his hand away.
“What? It’s cute.” He chuckles deeply, and I’m ready to snap that finger right off his hand. “I’m sorry, continue.”
She exhales a little growly noise, cutting her eyes at him, and continues.
“As I kept reading it, over and over, I got a little obsessed with the line where he asks, ‘Do I dare disturb the universe?’ I know it’s humorously framed in the poem, but to me, it felt so bold.
I wondered what it would look like to disturb the universe. ”
“Do you dare?” my cousin teases.
Her eyes flicker from his to where I’ve entered the room. For a moment, we’re caught. Me in my longing and her in her thoughts.
“I think I would,” she replies softly.
“Knox?” My voice is sharp. “Would you come here for a second? I need to talk to you.”
He hops over the back of the couch in one smooth move like he’s dodging a lineman on the football field. “Sure thing, bruh, what’s up?”
I grab him by the upper arm, dragging him into my now-empty bedroom. “What are you doing?” I’m doing my dead-level best to keep my voice low. “I’m about to leave for the arena and you’re still flirting with her?”
He gives me a challenging grin, those fucking Bradford blue eyes sparkling. They’re the one family trait I wouldn’t mind having. Girls really dig it.
“I didn’t realize how cute Dove had gotten. She’s really beautiful, and that body…” He puckers his lips like he’s about to do a chef’s kiss, and I grab him by the shirt, slamming his back against the wall.
“Stop flirting with her.” It’s a low growl, our noses almost touching.
He’s still grinning, dammit, and I’m ready to punch him when Austin walks out of my en suite bathroom to where I’m heaving in his little brother’s face.
“I figured we’d get to this point,” he muses under his breath. “Mav, let him go.”
“I’m about to wipe that grin off his stupid face if he doesn’t cut it out.”
Austin puts his hand on my shoulder. “Don’t kill your cousin. It’s our last night in town.”
“It’s all for you, dude.” Knox holds up both hands. “I’m giving you the push you need.”
“I’ll give you a push.” With an exhale and a little shove, I let him go. “I’ve got to get to the arena.”
Dove
I’m so happy to see you playing live again. Be sure to look up if you can.
I’m in the locker room in all my gear, smiling at my phone as I polish off my red M&Ms when Coach Leek enters the room. Most of the guys are already on the ice, and I’m just finishing up my ritual, getting ready to head out and warm up as well.
I confess, I’ve needed a lot less warming up these last few games. Most of it’s wasted with me sitting on the bench. Still, just because I’m playing less, doesn’t mean I’m not prepared.
“You fucking around again, Murph?” Coach’s tone is sharp, and my shoulders bristle at the implication.
Everyone’s been asking me, and I’ve been doing my damndest to keep a good attitude about how he’s treating me. I don’t know if it’s my impatience with Knox or just a building up of everything. I’m not in the mood for insults tonight.
“No, sir.” My tone is sharper than I’ve ever used with him. “I’m heading out now.”
“Hold up.” Coach puts his hand on my shoulder, stopping me. “I’d like a word before you go.”
I pause, inhaling slowly and blinking away any anger that might be in my eyes before I meet his gaze. I don’t want him to think he got to me… even if he did.
“Yeah, Coach?” I look up with what I hope is a cool, controlled expression.
“I know it’s been a hard month for you, Murphy.” He crosses his arms, but his tone is slightly less aggressive. “You’re the star, and I benched you. A lot of guys wouldn’t have taken that so well. But you did. You behaved like a real team player, a good sport. I’m impressed.”
My brow furrows, and I’m confused. Was all this a fucking test?
Clearing my throat, I nod. “Thank you, Coach.”
“I like what I see in you, Murphy. That’s why I’m putting you back in the game, full-time like before.” He lowers his hands. “Now get out there and get ready to lead. Don’t make me sorry.”
“No, sir.” I nod, a smile creeping across my lips. “I won’t let you down.”
I grab my stick and walk out to the noisy arena. The guys are all over the place stretching, waving, circling the arena, tossing pucks to friends and fans alike.
Lifting my chin, I take in the familiar atmosphere. It’s anticipation and excitement and music and cheering. I actually start to laugh.
My skates touch the ice, and I’m flying. It’s like a weighted blanket has been whipped off my shoulders, and I’m light as a feather. I’m on fire. I’m skating faster, taking practice pucks quicker, and slamming them into the net.
Gavin glides up to me, a big grin splitting his lips. “What’s going on?”
“Just had a chat with Coach, and I’m off the bench. Tell the guys. We’re doing this tonight.”
“Hell, yeah!” He holds up a hand, and I slap it. Only he holds mine, pulling me to him for a hug and slapping me on the back. “Just like always. Gav and Mav.”
I give him a slap on the back before pushing away. “Mav and Gav, you mean.”
His low laugh follows me as I skate away, making me smile along with him. This is what I love, being out here with my team, ruling the ice. We’re ready to run this town tonight.
It’s late in the second period, and the pace of the game has gotten faster. All night, I’ve stolen glances at the stands where Dove is bouncing up and down, cheering with the girls, and waving every time she catches my eye. Every time, it’s a blast of energy to my chest, making me smile.
She’s wearing my jersey over a white turtleneck like before, only this time, her hair is in a high ponytail, and the end bounces around her chin. She’s so fucking pretty, and it reminds me of that part in Grease where Sandy is a cheerleader at the football game. Adorable.
Only, Knox is right there beside her, putting his hand on her back and speaking in her ear. Every time he does it, she leans forward, laughing and blinking up at him. It’s the one thing that melts my perma-grin.
“Hey!” Gav shouts at me, waving his hand. “T3G?”
I snap out of it, getting my head back in the game and nodding. “Let’s do it.”
Owen and Hancock are right with us, getting in there and ready to run our old play.
To Coach’s credit, the opposing teams clearly switched strategies when I wasn’t playing as much. They started studying the other guys and spent less time focused on me.
It’s almost like I’m a new guy again, and they’re all scrambling to remember how to block me and stop my play—other than body checking me into the boards, which has also happened more tonight than in past games.
I’ve got the puck now, moving fast down center ice. A defenseman comes at me, and with a slap, I send the puck over to Owen. He takes it away, moving around to the right before sending it across to the opposite corner of the net, where Gavin has just looped around from behind.
He catches the goalie off-guard, sending that guy scrambling to block him, before Gavin sends it over to Hancock.
More scrambling. Hancock passes it to me, and with a slap shot, it lasers straight into the net.
The crowd explodes with air horns and bells, screaming and chanting. The Jumbotron lights up with Make Some Noise, and our hype songs blast through the speakers. We’re on fire, and I’m so fucking happy, I drop my head back to laugh.
I’m one goal from a hat trick, and it’s been a while since I felt this good.
Gavin skates right to me, putting his arms around my waist and giving me a bear hug as we glide together to the center, where Owen and Hancock are waiting.
“Nothing like what works.” We’re all high on being back in a rhythm.
I circle around, ready for the face off, when I glance up to see Dove deep in conversation with Knox. His hand is on her waist, and he’s speaking right in her ear. My jaw tightens, and I’m fucking pissed.
This entire game, every time I’ve had a major play and looked up at her, Knox is there, in her ear, keeping her eyes on him instead of me.
He says he’s got my back, but after his comment in my bedroom, I’m not so sure. Circling around again, I’m so distracted, I don’t even notice the play’s back.
Everything’s moving fast. Seconds count at this point in the game, yet I can’t take my eyes off what they’re doing, his hand on her waist.
Dove looks down at that moment, meeting my eyes. Her face breaks into a smile, and she bounces on her toes waving at me. I’m starting to smile when I’m hit so hard, I lift off the ice.
I’m briefly aware of my body in the air… before I slam down hard, flat on my back and everything goes dark.