by Layla Hagen
"I don't want to sing my own praises, but this is good."
"It is, babe. Thanks for doing this. Thanks for just being you, Kendra. You're amazing."
“And you’re good with words.”
"You're perfect, babe. You're just fucking perfect." He took the plate from my hands, putting it on the counter, even though we'd only had one bite each.
"What are you doing? You just had a taste."
"And now I want one of you."
"Oh. Well, by all means, go ahead." I smiled against his lips as he kissed me. To my surprise, it was gentle. He was exploring me exquisitely, and it turned me on to no end.
I tried not to let it show, though. I didn't even press my thighs together when heat shot through them. Nope, I was going to soldier through my arousal, because I knew for a fact that any sexy activities the day of the game were not the best idea. He could have muscle cramps on the ice, and bottom line, he needed to stay focused. Besides, I planned to give him plenty of sexy time after the game tonight.
“We can’t do this right now,” I whispered, pushing him away. But would you look at that? I had a hand on the waistband of his pants. I immediately let it drop. “Whoops. I don’t know how this happened.”
With a grin, he straightened up. "Every time I'm with you, I lose my head, Kendra. It's what you do to me. I'm so wrapped up in everything you make me feel that I can't think straight."
"Hmm. I like the sound of that."
"Why are you so well-behaved?"
“My hand in your pants was well-behaved?”
“It was on the waistband,” he pointed out.
I placed both hands on his shoulders, determined to keep them there.
“True. I woke up with this mantra in my mind. ‘No jumping Tyler's bones this morning. No jumping his bones.’"
He threw his head back, laughing.
"What? You're hard to resist. You know you are."
"I like hearing it from you."
"And I don't mind repeating it. But you could have more mercy on me. You came into this kitchen half naked, with all those delicious muscles on display. You are not making it easy for me to do the right thing.”
“I can't wait for tonight," he said in a low, sexy voice. "When we’re back home, the game behind us, it's just you and me and nothing else."
"I can't wait either," I whispered. "Now come on. Let's eat some more of this pie. I didn't wake up early for nothing."
We spent another hour together before he had to go to the arena. I had enough time to go home and do some chores for a couple hours before I had to change to go watch the game.
I was on edge the whole time I dressed. I couldn't explain why, but this felt like such a monumental thing. I was so, so happy that Tyler wanted to include me in his life in every way possible. I loved him so very much.
I arrived at the arena ten minutes before the game was about to start. I followed Tyler's instructions to a T, sitting in the area where many other friends and family members of teammates were seated.
I grinned when I noticed Reese, Travis, Luke, and Declan.
“I didn’t know you all were coming,” I exclaimed.
“We didn’t know either,” Travis said.
“It was a last-minute inspiration,” Reese added.
Declan nodded. “We know this is an important game for him.”
I grinned. I’d read about the rivalry between the Chicago Blades and the Seattle Bulldogs. Some reporters jokingly called the “Dogs” the archnemesis.
“I’m going to buy some drinks. Does anyone want anything?” Declan continued.
“I’d like a soda,” I replied.
“I’m coming with you,” Travis said.
“Me too,” Luke added.
Reese stood on her toes, looking at something in the distance. “Okay, I think there isn’t a line to the restroom. I’m going to go fast.”
The four of them left, and I looked around, taking it all in.
A pretty blonde turned to me. "Hey, Kendra, right?" She stood on the row below ours, welcoming me and holding her arms open as if to hug me.
"Hi." I stepped closer, bending at the waist.
She kissed my cheek. "I'm Andrea, Steve's wife. He's the captain."
"Oh, nice to meet you."
"Steve told me to keep an eye on you, but I see that’s not necessary. Nice to meet you."
“And you,” I said, looking around. "It's so full."
"Of course, it's one of the most important games of the season. And the boys are so on edge."
"They are, right?"
"Yeah. They've been training more than usual. But they kicked ass last year, and I'm sure they'll kick ass this year as well."
"The arena is so intimidating," I said. I was still looking around.
"You haven't been here before?"
"No, it's my first time."
"Wow. I think you'll enjoy it.”
“I promised Tyler I’ll cheer for him super loudly.”
Andrea grinned. "I like you, Kendra. I'm so happy Tyler didn't listen to Daniels’s warnings."
I knitted my brows together. " What warnings?"
"Well, the guy basically told Tyler it wasn't smart to mix business and pleasure. But Tyler's always had a mind of his own. It’s not easy to sway him."
"True. It's not," I said, frowning as I looked at the ice. The team's manager had warned him against dating me? Why hadn't Tyler said something?
I searched for the management box, and though it was easy to spot, it was too far away to see anyone. And even if I did, I'd only ever spoken to management via email. I wouldn't recognize anyone.
My heart started beating faster. I couldn't help feeling even happier knowing he'd gone ahead and pursued me, even though he'd been warned not to. That was how much he wanted me. That was how much he cared.
The Maxwells returned quickly with the drinks, and I was tempted to ask them if they knew anything about what Andrea had said. But then I decided against it. I didn’t want to spoil the mood, and besides, my heart was about to burst with happiness. I didn't think it was possible, but I felt like I loved him even more than before.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Tyler
My woman was in the stands, watching me, and I felt on top of the world when I skated out on the ice. My name reverberated through the rink as they announced me, and I heard the fans cheering in the background. I searched the crowd for one person and found her in the Blades’ suite. I kept her gaze, flashing a smile just for my girl.
Steve skated right next to me, putting a hand on my shoulder. "Dude, keep your head in the game. I need you to focus and be the best. I need you for this game."
"Steve, I’m in top shape.”
“I know you are. I mean mentally. Yesterday during training, your mind was more on your girlfriend working in that dingy diner for that sleazy boss. I don’t want any of that distracting you.”
“You have nothing to worry about," I said, loud enough for the MVP of our opponents, Adrian, to hear. He was close enough to eavesdrop—such a jackass. The whole Most Valuable Player accolade had melted his brain.
"Good. Just keep your head in the game."
"Will do," I said.
Adrian snickered. I removed my glove and flipped him the bird. Asshole did it right back.
Fucker.
The rivalry was normal in hockey. If I was honest, it was useful. It pushed each team to play their best. But Adrian and I never saw eye to eye on anything. I didn't like the way he played. It was dirty.
The second the game began, all thoughts of Adrian or anything else evaporated from my mind. It was a blank slate. My eyes were on the puck. I blocked goals left and right, again and again.
I heard the fans roaring as if from a distance. I wasn't able to understand what they said, obviously, but I knew the gist of it. I felt empowered every time they cheered or called my name.
Coach used the first intermission to school us good.
"Men, you were strong,
but I know you can do better. Tyler, your game is on point. Leo and Joe, we need more goals. Tyler alone won't be able to win us this game. He can't score any goals. You can, so do it."
"Yes, sir," they both said. They were frowning, and I appreciated that Coach wasn't harder on them because I knew they were being extremely hard on themselves anyway.
I went between the two of them, patting each one's shoulder. "Come on, guys, we can do it. Let's get back on the ice and show them why we won the Stanley Cup."
That made Joe light up. He gave me a thumbs-up. "Yeah. Let's do that, man. Down with the Dogs."
I went back to the crease, moving from left to right, staying as limber as possible. I was blocking everything in sight, and I knew I had to build my mental strength. When a goalie managed to stop every puck that got in his way, there was only one thing to do: distract him, attack him, shift his focus. You couldn't beat a team if you couldn't score.
During the next TV timeout, I skated close to my bench. Steve was there drinking a swig of water.
"Good game, man," he said. "Not sure we'll win this one, but it won't be for your lack of trying."
"We'll win," I assured him.
"Really? Are you sure of that, Maxwell?"
I turned around. Adrian stopped in front of us.
"We don't need your commentary," Steve said, rising from the bench.
"Why not? I can congratulate you on your game."
"No you can't. You‘re being a jackass, so what's your angle today?" I asked.
"That pretty girlfriend of yours."
"Leave her out of it," I said, not intending to say any more. Kendra was none of his fucking business.
"Maybe I won’t. What kind of work did she do in that dingy diner with the sleazy boss? By the looks of her, a stripper. Or something more? She seems willing enough, jumping up and down like a fucking puck bunny. Maybe she's tired of you and wants to give one of us a spin."
Now that pissed me off. I thought Adrian appeared to have been eavesdropping on me and Steve before the game started, and apparently he’d listened to every word.
"Shut your mouth," I said through gritted teeth.
"Maybe I'll take your wife for a spin too, Captain." He said “Captain” like it was a curse word. "She's been looking so sad lately that I think she needs a good fucking, and you aren't up for the job."
The next few minutes were a blur. I wasn't even sure who started the fight. It was probably me or Steve. But within seconds, it escalated the way it usually did in hockey. Our whole team came to stand behind us, and that’s when the Dogs’ team lined up too.
And then it turned into a shit-show.
***
Five minutes later, we were headed to the locker rooms during another intermission. Coach was furious at what happened, though none of us felt great about what went down. Most of us needed to find our gloves, and change ripped jerseys—it was a brawl, all right. I took off my helmet, holding it in the same hand as my stick. We went through the tunnel to the locker room. The press with special passes were there launching question after question at us.
“We’ll talk to you after the game,” Steve told them.
“Give us something,” one reporter said.
We kept going and hurried to the changing room. Steve and I were the last ones in, and I did a double take when I noticed Daniels.
Oh, for fuck’s sake. We already had Coach giving us an earful.
I exchanged a glance with Steve, and both of us nodded. We were going to stay back. Coach didn’t want anyone except the team in the locker room at intermission, not even our manager.
“What the hell happened out there?” Daniels said to Steve and me.
Neither of us responded.
"What the hell happened out there?" he asked again, his anger radiating off his skin.
"Adrian was running his mouth," I said.
He narrowed his eyes. "You're not a rookie. You know the deal. That stuff happens. It's not the first time he’s done it. You’ve always been good at ignoring this shit."
Before now, it never affected me. Some players always played dirty, even verbally attacking family to get under the opponent’s skin. But I'd never had anyone else to care about—not until Kendra. That was why it had been so easy to let it all slide by me.
My family, we were strong. Maxwells don’t take shit; we hold our own ground. But no one gets a pass at my woman.
"I won't stand by when someone talks shit about my girlfriend."
"He'll try any weak points to distract you. You know that."
"Adrian was an ass. Basically called Kendra a stripper and said he’d take her for a spin. He spewed some shit about my wife too,” Steve said. He was a good captain, always standing up for the guys, and we all appreciated it.
“He's just generally trying to provoke everyone," I added.
"You're the captain. Deal with it. Get your shit together, both of you," he said before walking back up the tunnel. The team was already in the changing room.
I did a double take. Kendra and Declan were standing a few feet away from us. My eyes bulged. My girl was crying. I hurried over to both of them.
“Babe, how did you get back here?”
“Declan convinced a security guard to let us back here. I had to see that you were okay,” she said, tearing up, checking my face and patting my torso with her palms. She couldn't feel that much, considering all the padding. "Oh my God, that looked so rough. I was so afraid something happened to your shoulder or that you were hurt."
"I'm fine," I assured her, cupping her face with both hands. Fucking hell, her eyes were glassy. This worried her that much? "I swear, I'm not hurt. My ego maybe, but otherwise no."
Steve came up to us. “We need to hurry and get in the locker room. Coach is already fuming.”
“You go. I need a minute.”
As he went inside, Declan took a step back, giving us privacy. The press was far enough away that they couldn’t see us. Even they knew not to approach the changing room.
I focused on Kendra. Her eyes were wide. "I listened to what you said to the manager. You got into a fight, and it was because of me?" she asked.
"No, it was because Adrian is a jackass."
She bit her lip. "Andrea said Daniels warned you about not getting involved with me. Why didn’t you tell me?"
Smiling, I got closer. "What did I tell you about me barely following rules, let alone instructions, babe?"
She swallowed hard and kept my gaze, but I felt her tense up.
"Talk to me, babe," I said.
"Not now. You have to focus on the game," she said. "I don't want you to get into trouble because of me, that's all."
"I'm not. And even if I did, it wouldn’t matter. I told you, you're number one. Don't pull away from me." I accented every word, looking her straight in the eyes so she knew I meant it.
"I'm not. I mean... Why are you saying that?”
"Babe, I can feel you tensing up. Your shoulders, your whole body."
She was silent for a moment, and then she shook her head, biting her lower lip. "I’m not. Come on, Mr. Superstar Goalie. Go get ’em," she said, but her voice was uneven.
The door to the changing room cracked open. Steve looked out at us.
“Tyler, get in here now.”
“Okay, fuck. I’ll be right there.”
All I wanted to do was stay here and finish this conversation with Kendra.
I looked at Declan. "Take care of my girl while I'm out there."
He nodded before I stepped into the locker room.
Coach gave us the shit we deserved, but I’d expected that. A few minutes later, I followed my teammates out on the ice, but I didn't feel the rush of adrenaline that skating to the net usually gave me. My mind was spinning. I was angry at everything that took place tonight. I loved hockey, but for the first time in my career, I couldn't wait for the game to be over. I wanted to be with my woman.
But first I had to defend her honor.
&nb
sp; Adrian better watch the fuck out.
Chapter Thirty
Kendra
Declan and I hustled back to the suite. Biting my lip, I lowered myself onto my seat, gripping the edge of it. I was looking at the ice, but I wasn't really seeing the game. I was a bit lost in my mind.
My whole body was tense. Tyler was right, and I just realized a very important thing. Before meeting him, I would feel insecure right now, possibly even trying to run away, fearing that if Tyler had to choose between me and hockey, he’d choose the latter.
I had no idea when that fear was formed. Maybe when we lost Dad, or when Mom’s second boyfriend bailed after her diagnosis. It was how I protected myself.
But over the past few months, loving Tyler changed something inside me. It also changed the way I looked at everything. I was proud of our love, and I believed in us, and I couldn't wait for the game to end to tell him.
"Oh shit. This isn’t going well," Travis exclaimed as two players from the opposing team skated toward Tyler with the puck between them.
I swear to God, everyone around me was holding their breath, myself included.
"Fuck, no, no, no," Declan exclaimed, and then the whole stand booed. The Seattle Dogs had just scored a goal.
Shit. My hot goalie wasn't in top shape right now.
I fidgeted in my spot, a plan forming in my mind. I didn't want to wait until the end of the game anymore. I turned to the Maxwells, leaning in so they could hear me. The fans were so loud that my ears were ringing. The stands seemed to vibrate along with their chatter.
"Anyone have any ideas how to go the extra mile to show Tyler my support right now without being super over the top?"
"Hell yes. Let me think," Travis said.
"There are always blank pages and markers at the promo table at the entrance doors. They’re for kids mostly," Declan said. "You can make a poster."
"Hey, that's a good idea. How come I didn't come up with it? I'm the one with ideas," Luke said, looking genuinely baffled.
Declan burst out laughing before pointing at him, then at Reese, then at Travis, and finally at me. "Whenever you tell stories about today, make sure you emphasize that I came up with this."
