Chapter 26
MAVERICK
Time is fucking flying.
We’re living up to our new hype song eight days a week. All we do is win, and tonight we’re facing off against our old rivals the Cliffs.
I’m back in the game full-time, and I’m playing better than I have all season. Being out here is the greatest feeling… the second-greatest feeling. Getting a hall pass from Dove has officially topped that list, but nothing beats being out here with my teammates putting it to the Cliffs.
Schultz seems to hang around me more, and I think he’s being protective since my injury. I don’t need it, because we’re playing fast and lean. I’ve made two goals, and we’re one away from winning. I intend to get it and the hat trick.
Donovan is at the bench talking to Leek, and I pull Gavin over, shouting at his helmet. “T3G!”
He nods and skates over to give Owen and Hancock the signal. They know what’s happening, and they know what I want to do.
The play starts like it always does. Owen brings it down the center, but out of nowhere a Cliff’s defenseman slips past and steals the puck. Their fans go wild as he takes it down the ice past our blue line.
Akers is ready, bringing all his pads and gear together, clocking the player’s every move. He brings it right up and fires it at the net. My lungs seize, and it looks like it’s going over his shoulder when at the last minute, he reaches out and traps it, sending it back out onto the ice.
I’m right there for the save, ripping it up the zone and getting our play back in motion. I fire a pass to Owen, and he corrals it. Then he shoots it over to Hancock, who sends it back to me. I’m ready with the slap, and it sears into the top corner past the goalie.
With that, the Jumbotron lights up. I get the hat trick, and we win the game. We’re going to the finals, and the Cliffs are going home to Colorado.
The stadium erupts, caps land on the ice, and I glance up to catch sight of Dove there with all the girls wearing my jersey and screaming her pretty blonde head off. They all do the hand motions to our hype song, and when she blows that air horn, my head drops back with a laugh.
It’s the best feeling in the world. It always has been from the time I was a kid sneaking away to play all through high school. I’ve been doing this for so long, and as much as I love it, gliding around, hugging the guys and slapping gloves, I can feel something inside of me has shifted.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m still playing hard, and I still want that Cup so bad, I can taste it. It’s just different. What makes it so good now is knowing she’s up there watching, knowing I’m sharing it with the most special person in my world.
It won’t be the same if she’s not there, and I’m pretty sure I know what that means.
“When that defenseman stole the puck, I was afraid it was all over.” Gavin is even with us tonight celebrating this win.
Lucy is spending the night with her grandparents, and it’s a rare night with all of the family here at North End, celebrating with the guys in our sequestered area in the back.
Flashes were going off like crazy as we made our way into the small bar in Hermosa Beach, and the hype leading up to the final round is growing. It’s been several years since the Champions won the cup, and the paparazzi have started showing up everywhere.
Thankfully, it’s not just me catching the spotlight anymore. Now Owen, Gavin, and Hancock have made it into the limelight thanks to our signature play, and of course Akers continues to get all the attention he loves. Goalies are always favorites.
“I saw a few of our guys out there,” Haddy says, leaning over the table. “The rest are new. Or they’re freelancers.”
“You’re friends with those guys?” Dove’s eyes are wide, and she shares a stool with Gina.
“I wouldn’t call them friends.” Haddy takes the beer Owen poured for her. “It’s more like a compromise. If we give them what they need, the hope is they won’t camp outside our houses driving us crazy while we try to walk the dogs or take the kids to school.”
“Does it work?” Dove takes a sip of her beer, and I stand beside her, absently resting my hand on the stool back behind her.
“So far it’s been working,” Haddy sighs. “I don’t know what to expect if they win the Cup.”
“When we win the Cup,” I call to her, lifting my glass and clinking it with the other guys.
“I’m sorry I won’t be here to see it,” Dove says, and that old familiar pain is in my chest.
“It’s possible none of us will,” Gina says, sipping her beer. “The final game could be in Florida for all we know.”
I turn, taking a step back when a familiar redhead appears at my side, smiling up at me in a knowing way.
“Sniper Spice, we meet again.” Jessica Rabbit stands at my side, hand on her hip.
Tonight, she’s in a dark-green blazer with an ivory shirt underneath and matching pants. She looks like she just stepped off a private jet, and she must be wearing heels. Her face is closer to my level.
Still, her auburn hair hangs long down her back, and her chest strains against the buttons. I glance around trying to find Akers. Wasn’t he the one interested in making this mistake?
“Sorry…” I move closer to Dove. “I didn’t get your name.”
“You didn’t read my note,” she says, taking a sip of her cocktail, and I feel Dove shift in her chair at my side.
We’re at a sports bar where everyone is drinking beer, yet she’s having what looks like a martini. My lips tighten, and I don’t know what to make of this. She knows too much about me, and she’s persistent.
Shaking my head, I look down, scrubbing my fingers over my forehead. “Actually, I think I might’ve lost it in the locker room. I’m sorry.”
“Susan Jackson, Sports Illuminated.”
“You’re a reporter?”
“Mostly freelance. I pitch stories to the big pubs, and they decide if they want them or not. SI has agreed to run my profile of your career. I’m thinking, ‘small-town boy turns big-city star.’ If you’ll return my calls, that is.”
“Why didn’t you contact my publicist?”
She shakes her head, smiling. “I’m not looking for press releases. I want the real story, things that aren’t already all over the place, straight from the horse’s mouth—or the hockey star’s.”
“I’m not sure it’s as exciting as you think it is.” I glance over at my cousins, who are watching all of this curiously.
“I’ll be the judge of that.” She glances at the group as well. “Walk with me?”
My insides still, and I remember the last time an attractive woman showed up at the table saying these exact words.
I wonder if Dove’s going to reach out like she did before, like she did when we had never even shared a bed.
She doesn’t, so I do. “We can talk here. I’m with my family.”
Her eyes move around the table once more, and she holds out her phone. “Let’s share contact information. I’ll send you some dates and times to sit down and chat.”
“I don’t give out my personal information, but Haddy…” I lift my chin at my cousin.
“Here.” The woman slides her blazer back to reach into her pocket. Her shirt stretches over her ample bosom, and I turn away, my eyes going to Dove’s face.
Her eyes are on her pint glass, and I can’t tell what she’s thinking. She’s definitely less playful than the last time a woman approached me this way, but she’s been distracted all week, really since we got back from the wedding.
“My credentials.” A press pass bearing the name Susan Jackson along with her ID badge for the magazine are placed in front of me. “It’s a legit offer.”
Haddy slides off her stool and walks around to where we’re standing.
“Hayden Knight.” My cousin extends her hand. “I’m the publicity director for the Champions and Maverick’s cousin, and I agree with you. His story is fascinating and worth telling. Give me your information, and I’ll be sure he sits down with you.”
Haddy’s a baller, and I want to give her a high-five. Jessica, or Susan’s eyes narrow, and she glances from Haddy to me before nodding.
“Of course.” She taps her phone against Haddy’s, and I see the fluid motion of their contacts being exchanged. “I hope you will follow up this time. It would be a great story to go along with winning the Cup.”
She nods to Haddy then lifts her chin at me. “Have a nice night.”
With that she walks away, and I turn to Dove, silently exhaling. She takes a long drink of her beer, not giving anything away.
“That was new,” I say quietly.
“Was it?” Her blue eyes blink up to me then down again, and a slight smile curves her lips.
Is she mad at me? I’m ready to take her hand and go home.
“You’re a real celebrity now, Mav.” Haddy taps on the screen of her phone quickly. “Susan Jackson is one of the top sports journalists in the country. She did the profile of Wilbur Huckle last year.”
“Who is that?” Owen squints over the edge of his pint glass.
“Ahh…” Haddy continues swiping up on her phone. “Legendary shortstop for the Mets.”
“Bruh.” Akers strides up to me, grabbing both my shoulders. “Was that Jessica Rabbit?”
“Where were you when I needed you?” I push his hands off me. “You totally left me hanging.”
“Did you take her for yourself? You said she was my mistake to make.” He hooks a thumb at his chest. “Mine.”
“Yeah, I did, and you were nowhere to be found.”
“It was Lindsey. Dude. She was all over me, and I can’t let the fans down.”
I don’t even bother telling him she was with Saxon last time we were here. “Turns out she’s a journalist. She wants to do some article or something.”
“Sounds like code for doing your article if you know what I’m sayin…” He arches an eyebrow, glancing down between us.
“Shut up.” I push his shoulder with my open palm. “I’m taking off. I’ve had enough for one night.”
My neck is tight, and all I can think about is Dove sitting there quietly drinking her beer and not commenting.
“You feeling okay, Mav?” Haddy puts her hand on my shoulder. “Let me see your eyes.”
“I’m fine. I’m just tired.” Turning to Dove, I reach for her waist. “Ready to go?”
“Huh?” She pretends to suddenly be paying attention, but I’m not fooled.
“Home? Want to go?”
“You’re leaving so soon?” She’s playing innocent, but I’m not buying it.
I’m going to take her home and show her the only woman I care about.
“It would probably raise suspicions if the two of you left together.” Gina slides off her stool. “I’m kind of sleepy, too. Owen? What do you think?”
My cousin tilts her head obviously in our direction, and Owen snaps out of the conversation he’s having with Gavin.
“Sure, babe, you’re ready to go?”
“Yeah.” She holds out her hand, and he takes it in his big one.
“If y’all are going, so are we!” Haddy puts her hand on Gavin’s shoulder. “Right, hon?”
Gavin shrugs, putting his hands on her waist. “Dang, Hads, it’s the first time we’ve been out just the two of us in months.”
“I’m not trying to break up the party,” I argue, but Haddy waves at me.
“Come on, Gav. I’ll make it up to you.” She steps forward and says something in his ear, and he’s on his feet at once.
“It’s been a minute since we did that,” he says, and the tone in his voice makes me not ask.
We all pile out in a group together. The girls hold up their bags to shield their eyes from the strobe of flashes. I don’t say it, but it does fuck with my head a little bit. I guess it’s residual concussion symptoms, but nobody needs to know about that.
The girls chatter happily all through the drive. Gavin watches them with a contented smile on his face, his hands on Haddy’s waist. Owen studies me solemnly, and I give him a sheepish smile. He knows.
After a long drive, we pile out of the SUV in front of the bungalow.
Gavin throws Haddy over his shoulder calling a goodbye to all of us as he crosses the street.
Gina puts her arm around Owen’s waist, telling us goodnight before they stroll up the block to their home.
I hear her say something about John and Kendall, but I don’t know what that means.
Finally, it’s just the two of us, facing each other under the soft yellow streetlamp. Dove gives me a half-smile before turning and walking up to the house.
My hands are in my pockets as I follow her, waiting as she enters the code. The door opens, and she goes to Kelani’s crate, taking the puppy out and cooing to her as she pets her head and walks to the back door.
I exhale heavily, dropping my chin before following them through the kitchen to the back deck. She’s standing under the soft porch lights with her arms crossed over her waist, watching as the puppy runs around, happily peeing on all the plants.
“Will you tell me what you’re thinking?” My voice is low.
She doesn’t answer right away. Her lips press, and I see her throat move as she swallows. Is she sad? Is she angry?
Finally she gives me something.
“I think I don’t have the right to feel this way.” Her voice is quiet, and she looks down, almost like a confession. “I’m leaving. Of course, you’re going to be with other women.”
“I’m not going to be with her.” Stepping forward, I reach for the only person I want to be with.
I want to pull her into my arms and show her, but she holds up her palm to stop me.
I stop.
Her head turns, and her pretty blue eyes blink up to mine, teasing. “But you’re a breast man.”
“I’m your man.”
“Maverick…”
“Dove.”
I want to growl and rage against these forces pulling us apart. Instead, I close my hand over hers, lifting it to my lips.
“I love you,” I say quietly. “I’m sorry.”
“I know.” She blinks rapidly, looking down, and I think the only thing that could hurt worse right now would be her tears. She doesn’t cry.
She inhales slowly before looking up at me and forcing a smile. “It would make things easier if we didn’t.”
“Nothing’s easy without you.”
“I’d say the opposite. Because of me, everything’s hard.”
“I do hard things all the time.” I enclose her hand in both of mine. “Besides winning the Cup, there’s only one thing I want. And I won’t stop until I have them both.”
She steps forward, rising onto her toes as she places her hand on my chest. Her fingers curl in my shirt, and I bend down so she can kiss me.
“I…” She places her hand on my cheek, sliding her thumb down my bottom lip to my chin, a wistful expression in her eyes. “I want you to have everything you want.”
I don’t know if she realizes it, but her words have made me more determined than ever.