Chapter 29
MAVERICK
Another week down, and we’re moving closer to the Western Division win, closer to the Cup. Our last series before conference finals is against the Winnipeg Bears, and it’s a tough one.
We won the first two out of town, now we’re back home and hoping for two more. My head is distracted because it’s Dove’s last night before she leaves. I can’t stop thinking about her being gone. I can’t stop feeling like a part of me is being torn out and taken with her.
I’m in the locker room, getting ready to join the guys on the ice when I decide to make the call. I don’t have much time, but I need to do this.
I need to get my focus straight, and the only way I’m going to do it is to have a plan.
“Hey, little man.” My dad’s warm voice has a smile in it.
It warms my chest and gives me hope. He got through this. He survived.
“Dad, we’re the same height.”
His deep chuckle makes me smile. “No matter how tall you get, you’ll always be my little man, Maverick.”
“Fair enough.” I guess I still think of him as bigger than me.
“Are you calling to get on the show? It’s a good time for hockey, and the ratings always soar when you call. Listeners love the family chats.”
“Sure, yeah,” I nod. “Let me finish the season, and I’ll be there.”
“It looks like you guys might go all the way this year. We’re all rooting for you back home.”
“Thanks…” I nod. “That’s what we’re hoping.”
A brief silence falls on the line, and my heart beats too fast. I’m second-guessing everything right now.
“What’s on your mind, Mav?” Dad’s voice is all-knowing. “I love chatting with you, but we both know you never call unless it’s something serious.”
Squinting my eyes, I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Sorry. I should do better about that…”
“No, you shouldn’t.” Dad chuckles. “I was your age once. You think I called my dad all the time?”
I exhale a laugh, dropping my hand. “No, I guess you didn’t.”
“Okay, then, spill it. What’s going on?”
“Ahh…” I turn, leaning against the locker-room wall. “I don’t know how to ask this.”
“Son,” his voice is measured. “Just say it.”
Dropping my head back, I do. “When did you know it was time to walk away? From football, I mean. Like, when did you know it was time?”
“Wow.” He clears his throat. “Not what I was expecting, but okay, well, I guess… for starters, when I met your mom.”
“Was that it?” I ask quickly.
“It was a big part of the reason, but I’d also been playing a long time.
” I hear him lean back in his chair, and I also hear the smile in his voice.
“When I met your mom, I found something I loved more than football. I still loved the game, of course, but the shine was off. Then that last injury was pretty much the final nail in the coffin.”
“It was pretty bad.” I’ve only watched the replay once. Actually, I didn’t even make it through the whole thing, and I never want to try again. “But you also had a Plan B. The radio station.”
“Sure, but it was a risk. I had no idea it would work as well as it did. I really credit your uncle Zane and Garrett and Hendrix for helping it take off. Listeners love a round table.”
Nodding, I study my locker, the hockey gear, the memorabilia I’ve collected through the years. I understand what Dad’s saying. I still love hockey, but I’ve found something I love more.
“You okay, son?” Dad’s still on the line, and I snap out of it.
“Yeah, this was really helpful. Thanks, Dad.” I turn over all that he said. “Why were you thinking I called?”
Another deep laugh. “I thought you’d gotten somebody pregnant.”
“Nah, I leave that for Haddy,” I joke.
“You’d better get out there. We’re all going to be watching and cheering for you.”
“Thanks. Tell Mom I said hey—and to hide behind the post.”
“She watches in the kitchen with Thomas.”
I grin, picturing the two of them crowding around Thomas’s portable, old-school black-and-white television, complete with antenna. His lucky TV.
“We’re definitely winning tonight.”
We didn’t just win, we closed out the series. We won both games, which means we’re facing Edmonton again for the Western Conference Trophy. The Slicks took it last time, but we won’t let it happen again.
It’s a challenge I’ll save for next week.
Tonight when I looked up into the stands and saw her there in my jersey cheering for me, my emotions were all twisted up inside.
It’s happening. We’re almost there, but with an ache, I know. I’ll have to make this final push without her.
“It’s not going to be the same without you here.” Haddy’s arm is around Dove’s waist and her head is on her shoulder.
“I know,” Dove pouts, reaching for Gina’s hand.
Gina takes it while holding Maddie’s shoulder. “You know I’ll be in touch. We’ve got to talk wedding plans!”
“I can’t wait.” Dove smiles, squeezing my cousin’s hand.
They’ve all stopped by the house to say their goodbyes tonight, since Dove is flying out before dawn tomorrow. A pit is in my stomach, and Gavin and Owen hang with me, watching the scene.
“Yay!” Maddie hops forward taking Dove’s hand. “Mama G said we’ll see you as soon as Daddy finishes hockey, because they’ve got to get married real quick.”
Owen clears his throat, shifting his stance, and we all look from him to Gina and back.
“What does that mean?” I ask, brows furrowed.
“Maddie!” Gina steps forward quickly, placing her hand gently over the little girl’s mouth, and giving Dove a sheepish glance. “Sorry… I was planning to call next week and talk about it. I know that’s awfully close to harvest.”
“We can figure it out,” Dove says, tapping her fingers under her eyes. “I’ll be so happy to see you again.”
“What’s the rush, Geeg?” Haddy cocks an eyebrow at her. “Something you want to share with the group?”
Gina’s cheeks flush hot pink, and she shakes her head. “It’s Dove’s night.”
“Mama G sat on Daddy’s lap and kissed him,” Maddie announces. “Now they’re going to have a baby!”
Gavin coughs a laugh, and I press my thumb and forefinger against my cheeks to hide my expression.
“Madison Birgitte.” Owen’s voice is a low scold, and his daughter looks up at him confused.
“What are you talking about, Mads?” Gina’s voice is too high.
Maddie walks over and takes her hand. “That’s what you said to Aunt Haddy. You said they were trying to get another baby when she sat on his lap and kissed him.”
“It’s true. You did say that,” Haddy teases, going to her cousin and pulling her in for a hug. “I’m so happy! Now Lulu will have a little playmate.”
“Me, too! Me, too!” Maddie bounces around the two of them, taking both their hands.
“You’ll be the designated babysitter.” Gina boops her nose. “Since you can’t keep secrets.”
“Oh, Gina, that’s so great!” Dove pulls her in for a hug as well. “We can definitely pull the wedding together. I’ll talk to Mindy when I get home, and we’ll get things going.”
“I don’t want to stress y’all out. I know you’ve got a lot on your plate.” Gina makes a face, but Dove only shakes her head.
“It’ll give me something happy to think about.”
I don’t like to think of Dove being sad at home, and when the goodbyes are finally all said, I want to hold her in my arms.
We shut the door, and she turns, placing her back against the wooden barrier. “Here we are,” she says quietly. “Alone at last.”
“Come here.” I hold out my hand, and she’s mine in less than three steps.
Her head is tucked against my chest, and I curl my fingers in her hair, smoothing it away from her face and kissing her forehead, making my way down to her temple to her eye, bending lower to cover her mouth with mine.
I bend my knees, and with a quick boost, I lift her back to the door. Her legs wrap around my waist, and I cup her chin with my hand.
“I’ve been wanting to do this all night,” I groan, tracing my lips across her cheek to her ear and pulling it with my teeth.
She exhales a soft moan. “But you played so hard tonight.”
“We couldn’t win that fucking game fast enough.” My hands move lower, and I scoop her ass, carrying her the short distance to my bedroom where I place her on the bed. “I hope you don’t mind if I keep you up all night. It’s going to be a long month.”
“I don’t mind.” A smile curls her lips, and she props on her elbows, looking up at me. “What did you have in mind?”
She’s still wearing my jersey over a pair of black leggings, which I quickly remove from her body along with her underwear.
“Everything.” I lift her smooth leg and slide my hands down the back of her thighs. “I got something for you. I did a little research…”
Lowering to my knee at the edge of the bed, I open it and take out a small silicone butt plug with a large base. Her eyes flash, and she sits up quickly, taking it from my hands.
“Where did you get this?” She presses her lips together in a naughty grin, then holds it up and makes big eyes.
My shoulders relax, and I exhale a laugh, catching her cheeks in my hands and kissing her mouth. Her hands are on my neck, and for a moment we make out like giddy teenagers. Our mouths open and her tongue curls with mine. She exhales a moan, and my cock surges to full mast.
“Fuck,” I groan, reaching down to adjust my fly. “I say this with much respect, but I want to fuck you so hard sometimes.”
“Sometimes?” She reaches down to unbutton my jeans, sliding the zipper lower and cupping me in her hand. “I want you to fuck me hard all the time.”
“Dove,” I hiss, pressing my forehead to hers and groaning again as need surges through my pelvis.
Her hands wrap around my cock, and she drops to her knees, pulling the tip between her lips. My head drops back, and I exhale deeply. I slide my hand over her cheek, smoothing her hair back so I can watch her cover me with her mouth.
“Damn, you’re so sexy. You suck my cock so well.”
She pops off, looking up at me with a grin. “You know I only come for you.”
“Shit.” A surge of come escapes the tip of my penis, and I lean forward to kiss her. “You can’t say shit like that. I’m about to jizz all over your face.”