Chapter 18
MAVERICK
“Amonth off the ice? Is he fucking kidding me?” It’s been a week since the accident.
Two nights and two CT scans later, they finally let me leave the hospital under strict orders to stay in bed for another two days.
Now this.
The doctor’s order just came through on my phone, followed by a text from Coach Leek.
Coach
Sorry this happened. Take the time. Heal. We’ll be ready when you are.
My lips twist, and I guess once again, his decision to bring in other players was smart. They’ll pick up where they left off, which puts a hot fist in my chest.
I slowly roll over in the bed, stepping into a pair of gray sweatpants, and pulling them over my hips.
Thankfully, I’m already wearing a white tee, because as much as I don’t want to admit it, whipping shirts over my head still makes me a little dizzy.
Knox and the guys extended their stay an extra week, but I’m back in my own bedroom, because they’ve been forcing me to stay in here all day every day—which is about to make me fucking climb a wall.
Haddy meets me in the foyer outside my door. She’s still wearing her business suit from work, and her blue eyes level on mine. “He said up to a month, and no, he’s not kidding. You got a really bad hit. You’re lucky it wasn’t worse.”
“It wasn’t worse.” I’m impatient with all this treatment. “I’m a hockey player. Shit happens. Most of us are missing teeth.”
“Listen to your doctor, Mav,” Austin calmly orders. “It’s ultimately not that long, and you don’t need to be out there taking hits or getting into fights. You don’t want to be hurt worse.”
“A month is a long fucking time to be out of the game, and you know it,” I counter. “I was just getting back.”
He grips my shoulder. “In a month you’ll be back. And they won’t even remember you were gone.”
“What did I miss?” Dove enters from the kitchen.
She’s wearing jeans and a long-sleeved tee, and I can tell she’s just come from campus. Kelani is dancing around her feet, letting out breathy little yaps.
I would bend down and pick her up… only, I’m afraid I might lose my fucking balance, and that’s the last thing I need all of them seeing.
I’m not about to give these guys any more reason to pile on with the doctor’s orders.
“Mav’s trying to get back on the ice,” Knox tells her from where he’s sitting on the couch frowning at his phone.
“Maverick…” Dove puts a hand on her hip, tilting her head to the side. “You have to take it easy. Are your ears still ringing?”
“No.” That is at least the truth.
My vision is clear and my ears have settled down.
I do feel like I’m on a boat if I move too quickly, which I guess means I shouldn’t be on skates.
“What the fuck am I going to do for a month? Sit around here and get out of shape and sloppy?”
“It’ll take longer than a month for that to happen.” Haddy walks over, putting her hand on my shoulder and giving me a gentle rub. “You’re in great shape, and your muscles will remember.”
“Haddy’s right,” Edward says. “You’ll retrain up to 25 percent faster with muscle memory.”
“See?” Haddy gestures to him. “In the meantime, you have PR engagements, and I can see if Carla wants to do another promo at the shelter.”
“That’s one afternoon, two tops.”
We’re quiet, and Knox exhales another impatient growl from the end of the couch. “Do some people just have too much time on their hands? Get a life.”
“Like you’d react any better if the tables were turned.” My voice is sharp.
“What?” He blinks from his phone to me. “Nah, I wasn’t talking about you, bro. A month off the ice sucks. You’ll be jumping out the window this time next week.”
“Thank you.” I hold out a hand to him, looking at Haddy. “This guy gets me.”
“You’re welcome,” he grumbles.
Now I’m curious. “What the hell are you bitching about?”
“This sports podcaster is so far up my ass…” He stands, shoving the device into his pocket. “I’m out here with my family, my injured cousin, yet I should be in training. I’m not taking the upcoming season seriously.”
“Don’t you football players get to lay around until July?” I can’t resist teasing him.
“Jealous?” He dishes it right back.
“No. I don’t want to lay around.” Although, when my eyes drift to where Haddy is talking to Dove, I consider it might be nice to have a little free time.
“The Quarterback Princess again?” Austin walks over, and my ears perk up.
“The what?” I ask.
“Melody Dunn,” Knox answers me. “She’s a sideline reporter turned sports podcaster. Last season she gained a big following critiquing every move I made. She built her whole brand around it. She said I was trying to make the Saints the ’aints.”
“Bruh,” I chuckle. “Burn.”
“It’s bullshit,” he snaps. “I hate this chick.”
“Take it easy,” Austin says, and Knox cuts him a look.
“You take it easy.”
His older brother holds up his hands. “Just saying… I’ve listened to her show a few times. She knows her stuff. Give your ego a rest and see if there’s any truth to her critiques.”
“Thanks for the support,” Knox retorts. “I never notice her raking your ass across the coals.”
Austin only shrugs in that older-brother, star-quarterback way. “Maybe she likes what she sees.”
“Maybe she likes you,” Edward says to Knox, without even a hint of irony. “Human attraction often expresses itself in hostility. Perhaps she’s attracted to you and wishes she weren’t.”
This guy.
Edward always says exactly what everybody’s thinking and doesn’t even realize it. Damn, I love him.
Of course, I’m ready to jump right on this shit. It’s about time I had some fun at Knox’s expense.
“You know what they say…” I stretch my arms behind my head. “It’s a thin line between love and hate.”
“There is no line,” Knox answers flatly. “There is no love.”
Edward looks at me. “You wished you could go with Dove to the wedding.”
My brow arches, and I glance over to where the girls are still in the foyer talking. “Are you saying my wish came true?”
“I’m saying now you can go.” His reply is flat.
Hope and desire…
Clearing my throat, I walk over to where the girls are talking. I’m pretty sure they haven’t been listening to our conversation, so I play it cool.
“Sup?” I say, shoving my hands into my pockets.
Haddy’s eyes narrow. “You’re being weird.”
Dove doesn’t seem to mind. She smiles up at me, answering my dumb greeting. “Gina and Maddie are going to Louisiana with me, so we’re trying to work out the details. You know, last-minute tickets, what to do with Kelani.” She stops, seeming to realize. “But if you can’t play, you can…”
“Go with you?” I finish her sentence.
Her blue eyes widen. “I was going to say watch Kelani… Do you want to go?”
“Sure,” I say with a shrug. “If I can’t play, and we can bring Kelani with us.”
“Oh, I don’t know.” Dove’s lips twist, and she tilts her head to the side. “Commercial flights are so hectic. I don’t want her to be scared…”
“Dove.” I reach out, putting my hand on her arm. “We’ll take the private jet.”
“Ooohhh…” Her chin lifts slowly. “Of course. I forgot how rich you are.”
Haddy snorts, lifting the back of her hand to her nose. “You are hilarious. I’ve got to get back to the house. Have fun, you two. I wish I was going.”
“You’re not?” I frown at her.
“Somebody’s got to keep the Champions in the news.” She winks at me, squeezing my arm. “I’m over here fielding questions about your injury, your latest conquests, your endorsements, your social media…”
“Sounds like you work for me,” I tease.
Her head tilts to the side. “You are a big part of my job.” Stepping closer, she kisses my cheek. “Don’t worry about it. Have fun with the family.”
She slips through the door, and Austin is on his feet, carrying his bag. Edward is right with him, and Knox slowly brings up the rear, still frowning at his phone.
“Our car is here.” Austin stops beside me, gripping my bicep. “You’re going to be okay. I think visiting the fam in Louisiana will be good for you.”
“Maybe you’re right,” I relent, giving him a hug.
I’m playing it off, but I’m with Edward. Maybe my wish did come true.
The more I heard about that dick Corey Hayes, the more I wanted to be there for Dove. At the same time… Damn, it was good to be back on the ice.
“Tell everyone I said hey.” Knox grabs my shoulder, pulling me close and speaking in my ear. “Don’t waste this.”
I push my fist into his ribs. “Thanks for keeping my secret, bro.”
My tone is sarcastic, but he shakes his head. “You’re not as sneaky as you think. Besides, you only get one big secret in your life.”
“Oh, really.”
“What are you talking about?” Dove walks over, and I take the puppy from her arms.
“Trust,” I say, cutting him a look.
“What does that mean?” Her brow crinkles with her smile.
Knox shakes his head, leaning down to give her a hug. “Good to see you again, Dove. Keep an eye on this guy.”
“I will.” Her voice is warm, and she hugs him back, slanting her blue eyes in my direction.
My annoyance with my doctor’s orders melts away, and we walk them to the car, waving as they pile in and then slowly pull away, headed to the airport.
Haddy returns to her home, and before long, it’s just Dove and me, standing on the sidewalk.
The twilight sky is lit by all the houses and streetlights, and I turn to her. She looks up at me. Kelani’s tail thumps happily against my waist.
“Hey.” She laughs softly.
My stomach tightens as my eyes drift from her pretty blue ones to her nose, to her full lips, to her chin.
“Hey.” My voice is low. “I can’t remember the last time it was just us.”
She tilts her head to the side, squinting. “Was it ever?”
“I think for like… five minutes.”
“Well, don’t get used to it.” She pokes her finger against my chest. “We’re about to leave again.”
I reach up to cover that finger with my hand, holding it close. “You’re sure Boo won’t mind if I crash her wedding?”
Dove’s head moves slowly side to side. “No,” she says with a smile.
Her hand is warm in mine, and her body is close. I want to slide my hand behind her neck, pull her closer, and cover her mouth with mine.
Instead, I release her and step back. “I’ll reserve the jet. We’re leaving tomorrow morning?”
That hint of a smile still pulls at her lips. “We’d better. Morning here is afternoon in Louisiana.”
“Okay.” I’d love to know what she’s thinking.
I wonder if she knows how she affects me, or if she simply exists. I’d love to know if the dizziness in my head is residual concussion or her.
Going with her to the wedding feels like traveling back in time. A time when I wasn’t as confident, and when I didn’t know how to act upon my feelings.
A lot has changed since then.
“Uncle Mav’s coming with us!” Maddie dances around the driveway, the handle of her Black Widow suitcase in one hand and her neck pillow in the other. “And Kelani, too!”
“I expect you to mind Mama G,” Owen orders gently. “It’s a special weekend, so be on your best behavior.”
“She’s always on her best behavior,” Gina fusses, reaching up to pull him down for a kiss. “I’m going to miss you. I wish you were going with us.”
“Me too.” He pulls her close, sealing his mouth to hers.
Maddie and I both turn and walk up the porch steps so they can have their moment.
“Aunt Dove had a dog just like Kelani when she was your age,” I tell her as we walk into the house. “She grew up on a peach orchard.”
“Mama G said the trees are all covered in little flowers right now.” Maddie slips her hand into mine, giving it a swing. “She said it’s really pretty.”
“It’s true.” I walk over to where Dove is leaning against the back of the couch, frowning at her phone. “You okay?”
Dove rolls her pretty eyes, turning her phone to me. I study her disgusted expression a moment before looking at the screen.
Corey
Looking forward to seeing you. I’ll have my car meet you at the airport.
My eyes narrow, and anger bubbles in my chest. I can’t wait to see this tool again after all these years—and my growth spurt. He’s not taking Dove away from me this time.
Then I have an idea. “Can I reply to this?”
“I don’t… know.” Dove eyes me warily, but my thumbs are already flying.
Dove
No need. My escort is flying us in on his jet. He’ll appreciate it if you back off and let us enjoy our time together.
I hit send before she can stop me.
The send noise wooshes, and her jaw drops. “Mav! What did you do?”
“Just having some fun. Helping you get rid of him.”
She reads the screen, and her eyes snap to mine. Her cheeks flush a pretty pink, and she blinks rapidly, stuttering for words. “You… told him… You said—”
“He’s the one who started all that escort crap. I’m your escort.”
“That’s his silly word,” she whispers. “This makes it sound like we’re together.”
I shrug. “So?”
Her phone buzzes, and she quickly reads it before turning it to me.
Corey
You said you didn’t need an escort. Who do you know with a jet?
She steps closer to me. “What do I say?”
“What do you want to say?” I don’t mean it as a challenge, but it kind of sounds like one.
Her blue eyes twinkle, and a mischievous grin curls her lips.
Dove
He’s a famous hockey player. I didn’t think he could come, but his situation changed.
She hits send and curls her fingers in my shirt, eyes wide. “I can’t believe I did that.”
We’re so close we’re touching, speaking softly, sharing her phone. It immediately buzzes back, and our foreheads are together as we read the words aloud.
Corey
Since when are you dating a hockey player?
Her thumbs fly over the screen, and she hits send, looking up at me again. Her face is flushed, and she’s fucking gorgeous. Now I’m really fighting the urge to kiss her.
I read what she wrote.
Dove
He’s an old friend of the family. You might say he’s part of my heritage.
Corey
I doubt I’d say that.
A smile breaks across my face, and she laughs, resting her head against my chest. It’s like we’re sharing a naughty secret.
“What have we done?” She looks up at me again, and I lift my hand, sliding my thumb across the top of her cheek.
My other hand is on the back of her waist, and I hold her firmly to me. “You’re going to have a fun weekend, and you’re not going to worry about Corey Hayes.”
She’s going to leave him to me.