Hearts On Ice

by Janae Keyes

  I pressed my lips gently to Lia’s. She moaned in response and her eyes fluttered open. My lips curved into a smile at her beauty and the radiance she brought to everything she touched.

  “You’ve got to get ready,” I said in a low voice and immediately, she frowned. “I know, baby. I don’t want you to leave me.”

  “I don’t know how to leave you,” she confessed.

  I saw the tears welling in her eyes. I wouldn’t let her cry, at least not yet. I pulled her tightly into my arms and held her close to me, my mouth devouring hers. I wanted to show her how much I loved her in a single hot kiss. Separating our lips, I watched her smile.

  “It won’t be long until I see you. You don’t live far from me. Believe me. I’m going to be around once I’m discharged from here.” I had to reassure her. I sure as hell wasn’t going to be living too many days without my girl. “We’ll squeeze a couple of fucks in between our practices.”

  “Is sex all you think about, Max Madden?” Lia questioned.

  “I think about it a hell of a lot, but not all the time. I was just thinking about how much I love you and how I’ve never loved anyone before until you,” I told her honestly, causing her to smile beautifully.

  “I love you too,” she whispered before pecking my lips.

  Lia sat up, her wild hair falling over her shoulders. The blanket barely covered her naked frame that I’d enjoyed underneath me the night before. Lia was craving me, screaming for me, and telling me exactly who her pussy belonged to. It was just the way I liked her.

  “You get to meet my mom today,” she announced cheerfully as she leaned and rested her head on my shoulder.

  Damn, it was true. I would meet her mom later today. Nothing usually scared me, but that fucking scared the shit out of me. I nearly shivered thinking about meeting the momager, Kamber Crestwood. From what I’d heard, the woman took no prisoners. Lia was her pride and joy.

  “Is the great Max Madden scared?” she asked with a snicker.

  “Scared of what?” I pretended that I wasn’t fazed by the pending meeting.

  “Are you afraid to meet my mom?”

  “Never.”

  “Are you sure?” She was teasing me as she leaned in, her eyes studying my face.

  “I’m absolutely sure,” I lied, but that twinkle in her eye told me she knew I was fibbing. “Now, get up. It’s time for you to get ready. I want you to be on time for your mommy.”

  Lia slipped from the covers, and I saw her shiver from the cold air. My eyes were stuck her on her perfectly round ass. I leaned over the edge of the bed and placed a kiss on her hip before smacking her ass. She squealed in response before running off to the bathroom. It was my last chance and I was going to take full advantage of it. I jumped up from the bed and ran after her.

  Lia and I left her cabin together for the last time. I stole a look at her, bundled up in her winter gear. I knew she’d be happy to get back to the Bay Area where she wouldn’t have to wear as many layers.

  Stopping in my tracks, I pulled her to me and planted a series of kisses on her face as she laughed. I’d be saying goodbye to her in minutes and I wanted those last few moments with her. I didn’t know when I would see her again, so I had to savor every second we had left.

  “You’re a sap. You know that?” Lia questioned as she grinned at me as her love for me sparkled in her eyes.

  “Only for you,” I noted before planting a kiss on her forehead.

  She took out her cell phone and pulled up her camera. Then she took a selfie of the two of us with my lips pressed to her cheek. “I’m making us official to the world. The media has been going crazy trying to figure out if we’re actually together or not. I think it’s time to confirm their speculations,” she announced as she posted the photo to Instagram.

  “Come on, you. I’m sure your mom is waiting.”

  That’s when I saw the tears fill her eyes, so I yanked her to me. I held her close, inhaling her scent as her pressed her tear-streaked face to my chest. I would never let her go, not in a million years. Lia meant everything to me; more than any words could express.

  “Lia, baby girl, come on,” I whispered as I rubbed her back.

  A few moments later, she composed herself and we slowly walked into the main lodge where her luggage was waiting at the front entrance along with the woman I knew was her mom.

  Kamber Crestwood had a huge smile on her face. Lia looked so much like her mom. They had the same chocolate skin, big smile, and honey-brown eyes. They were one of those dynamic mother-daughter pairs that had ever taken the world by storm. When Ms. Crestwood’s eyes shifted from Lia to me, her smiled faded a bit. Moms didn’t really care for Max Madden much. It could have been because of my rough personality and rumored temper.

  “Mommy!” Lia cheered as she approached her mom.

  I allowed her to go, so she could give her mom a hug. She was quick to turn to me and take my hand. “Mom, this is Max Madden, hockey player and my boyfriend,” she said proudly.

  “Nice to meet you, Max. I’ve heard a lot about you,” Kamber said as she eyed me over.

  Damn, this woman took command of the room. Nobody was going to mess with Lia when her mom was around. “Same here. Lia talks about you all the time. It’s very nice to finally meet you.” I had turned on my professional voice to address her. I had to do something in my favor to make her feel okay with me dating her daughter.

  “We should head out. We have a plane to catch in a few hours,” Kamber expressed to Lia who instantly frowned.

  I saw the fear in her eyes and I knew exactly what she was afraid of. It scared me too, but I wouldn’t let on. I had to be strong for my girl.

  Unable to bear watching Lia cry again, I pulled her close to me and kissed her forehead before pressing my lips to hers. I didn’t give a fuck that her mom was watching. Lia was my woman, and I didn’t want my woman to shed any more tears.

  “I’ll see you soon,” I promised her before kissing her again and pulling her as close as I could. I held her as tight as I humanly could without hurting her.

  “I love you,” she cried, sniffing.

  “I love you too. Don’t cry.”

  “I’m going to miss you. It’s weird leaving.”

  “It is weird, but it’s okay. Listen to me.” I took her face between my hands and peered directly into her eyes. “I know you’re worried about me and everything else going on around us. Don’t worry about anything. I know you. You’re the most positive person I know. Hold onto that, baby, and I’ll be by your side in no time.”

  “Okay,” she whispered before kissing me again.

  I held her hand firmly as I we exited the front of the lodge. The van was waiting and the last of Lia’s luggage was loaded. I’d never felt the way I did. I was allowing a piece of my heart to leave with her in hopes of seeing it again.

  “Bye,” she said on a faint breath.

  “We’re not saying goodbye,” I noted firmly. “See you later.”

  “Okay then, I’ll see you later,” she gushed before standing on the tips of her toes to kiss my lips. I inhaled her scent. She smelled of fresh peaches. I would remember that scent until the moment I would have her near me again.

  The sound of someone clearing their throat pulled us apart. Kamber was watching us from the door of the van as she waited not so patiently for Lia to join her. As Lia turned away, I gave her ass a smack. She turned back to me and slapped my chest as she giggled. Fuck, that sound was everything and I would remember it until the day I died.

  Kamber shook her head, but a slight smile graced her lips. I think she was happy to see Lia filled with childlike joy that I’d never experienced in my life until her.

  Lia boarded the van and the door soon closed behind her. I saw the light in her eyes along with the love she had for me. I could never ask for anything else in my life. If I did anything, I was going to work as hard as I could to be discharged. I had to be with my girl no matter the circumstances. Life would never be the sa
me.

  “I love you,” she mouthed as the van drove away.

  “I love you,” I mouthed back to her infectious smile.

  Things were looking up. The doctor had given me the okay and I only had one more appointment with Cynthia to receive her recommendation. Nothing was going to get me down after the news that my injury had completely healed and I was ready to get back to what I did best fulltime.

  As much as hockey excited me, I would be more excited to have Lia in my arms again. She’d been gone for a week and a half and I missed her more than anything. After my injury, I thought I had nothing without hockey, but I was mistaken. I had nothing without Lia.

  I plopped down on the couch in the rec room. A basketball game was on the big screen TV and a few other athletes were just hanging out. I’d found myself spending more time in the main lodge to be around others rather than camped out in my room as I’d been before Lia.

  “There he is!” cheered Mike who entered the room with a cup of coffee in his hand. He joined me on the couch and peered up at the basketball game on TV. “Fuck the 76ers!”

  I chuckled at my friend and fellow hockey player. I had known Mike before the Willows Center, but now I was proud to call him one of my best buds. He was going through a lot of the same shit I was, and it was cool to have someone here who participated in the same sport.

  “How’s it goin’?” Mike asked.

  “It’s good, man. I just got the all clear from the doc. I’ll see Cynthia for her approval and then I’m fucking out of here, man.”

  “Fuck yeah, dude. I’m happy for you. I bet you can’t wait to be out of this shit.”

  “I’ll bust out of those fucking doors as soon as I can. I gotta see my girl.”

  Mike laughed. “See, you and all my friends always busted my ass about being tied down to my ball and chain. Now, you understand what it’s like. I wouldn’t want life any other way. My wife means everything to me. I could never go back to that bachelor life.”

  “I fucking understand every bit of it now. Lia is my rock. I’d give up everything for her. Fuck hockey! If I could have Lia forever, that’s all I’d need. I don’t give a shit about the millions I make or anything else. I just want Lia.”

  That wasn’t the Max Madden who had entered the center. That guy had only cared about himself, the dollar, and what tight pussy he was going to fuck next. Now, I was a changed man because of Lia. She had turned my life right-side up.

  “Love will do that to you, buddy. I’m happy for you. My knee is almost well and the first place I’m going is my house to see my wife and kid. I fucking miss them,” Mike said.

  Man, having kids… That was a thought that had never crossed my mind, but now, it was running through my brain. Lia would be the perfect mother because she was patient and could give love like no other. I wondered about taking Lia’s hand, making her my wife, and starting a family with her.

  Fuck, where were those white picket fence thoughts coming from? I had no clue, but for the first time in my life, I welcomed them. Lia could teach me how to be a parent as I never had the best examples.

  Mike was the only person I could talk about that shit with. JC would only laugh at me and call me a sap. I was a sap for Lia all day.

  “My next step is to make my girl my wife, man,” I proudly announced.

  “Fucking do it! That’s a decision you won’t regret.”

  Mike was right. I knew I would never regret hanging onto Lia for all eternity. I checked my watch. It was time for me to head to Cynthia’s office. I had the highest hopes that she would grant me my freedom. Once I was out of the Willows Center, I was heading straight to Lia. Her birthday was coming up and surprising her was on the top of my list as long as I received clearance to leave.

  “I’ll catch you later, man. I’ve got a date with a therapist,” I told my friend who gave me a thumbs up approval.

  The dread that I had for this place had been replaced with a grand hope for my future. I’d never really had a future. My life was a tragedy from the moment I was conceived. I’d been beaten, broken, and later addicted. Yeah, I had a talent that had taken me far in life and made me a ton of money, but it never gave me love or the hope for a future until I walked into the Willows Center as damaged goods.

  “Max, you’re here exactly on time. Come in,” Cynthia greeted me right outside of her office.

  I entered and took my usual spot in the large chair near the couch she normally sat on. I’d gotten acquainted with her office in the last six weeks, and in a strange way, I was going to miss it. I would have to come back to pay Cynthia a visit and give her updates on how I was doing.

  “I saw the doctor’s report. You’re here to get my approval for discharge,” she stated as she took her seat.

  “Yes, ma’am, I need to get out of here. I feel better than I’ve felt in my entire life and I’m ready to get back on the ice,” I expressed, jazzed at everything my future held.

  “And back to Lia,” she noted with a smirk.

  I had to smile at the plump woman. She knew me well, after all our sessions and her help at getting me detoxed and off the Oxy. “Yeah, I’ve got get back to my girl.”

  “You’ve made a complete one-eighty since arriving at the center. You blew me off that first day, but now, you’re one of my most cooperative patients. I’m proud of how far you’ve come and I think you have the brightest future ahead of you. I give you my blessing and professional recommendation to leave. I will refer you to some counselors in your area. I encourage you to connect with one to continue regular therapy.” Cynthia was honestly the best at what she did. I knew this for a fact.

  “You know I will. They won’t be you, but I’ll manage,” I joked as she signed the slip on her clipboard.

  “I wish you the best and I’ll be rooting for you.”

  “Thank you for everything!” I stood and stalked toward the woman. I picked her up from her chair, and pulled her into a bear hug. I’d confided so much in her over a short amount of time, and besides Lia, Cynthia had been instrumental in getting me clean and on the right track.

  The next stop was my future.

  17

  Lia

  As I sipped a glass of wine, I appreciated being home. It was Friday night and I was spending it how I used to—hanging out with my mom. It was weird being away from her for so long, but I’d come home to a mountain of work.

  I had endorsement contract offers out my ears and I had to figure out which ones were worth my time and brand and which ones I should leave behind. I made most of my living off of endorsement deals. I wasn’t a millionaire, but the money I brought in was enough for me to live very comfortably and to employ my coach Beverly. It also afforded me to pay for that expensive stint in the Willows Center.

  Mom stood at my kitchen counter opening the takeout food that had just been delivered while I exchanged flirtatious text messages with Max. Having him in my life made everything that much more beautiful, vibrant, and joyous. I smiled down at my phone and typed a message in response to his last one. My stomach filled with butterflies and my heart swelled with the intense pleasure of his love.

  “Just ignore everything I’ve said while you text with Max,” Mom scolded me.

  I lifted my head and saw her standing with her hands on her hips next to the large island where she’d been preparing a plate of food. She simply shook her head at me.

  “If you were wondering what I said, I said that dinner was on the table,” she fussed.

  “Sorry,” I mumbled as I jumped from the couch, but not before sending off my message. And I would eagerly wait for Max’s response.

  “You’re worse than a high school girl. That’s all you do. Text with him, talk to him, and about him. You do have a very important competition coming up that needs your attention more than Max does.” She was making a mountain out of a molehill, but that was Mom.

  I sighed as I loaded up my fork with the shrimp chow mein from my favorite place. “Mom, I’m focused on the task. I r
eally am, but this thing with Max is more than just a silly crush or fling. I honestly believe we have something going for us. I love him so much that it can’t be less than that.”

  “Are you sure? Do you think he believes the same thing?” she asked trying to keep me in the direction of caution, which I appreciated.

  “Yes, I do.” I grinned, a single tear falling down my cheek at the happy thought of spending my life with Max.

  Mom gave me a soft smile. I believe she was seeing it a bit from my perspective. She realized that Max affected me positively and that he and I were serious. It was high time I thought about matters other than my career. I was a great skater, but I wanted something outside of that and I believed Max was that something. I’d never expected to fall for him, but I had and I was going to run with it. The influx of his love carried me.

  “I like seeing you happy. I really do, and you know I just want the best for you. If you think that Max is the best, I want you to have all of it.”

  “Thanks, Mom. I really do believe he’s who I want to spend my life with.”

  Mom left not too long after dinner, leaving me in my large apartment. I strolled to the window and looked at the breath breathtaking view of the San Francisco Bay. I looked out at the Bay Bridge and the glistening waters. I was lucky for the path my life had taken. I’d beaten every statistic of a young African-American woman raised by a single mother.

  I had a vibrant career and through skating, I had built a portfolio that would sustain me after retirement. Life had always been beautiful to me, but with Max it was an unending cycle of breathtaking wonder.

  My cell phone rang, making me jump from the trance I’d fallen into as I watched the few lingering boats make their way across the bay. I rushed to the coffee table where I’d last left it and saw I was getting a call from the one person I’d been thinking about.