20. Maddox

Chapter 20

Maddox

Tonight was a re-do. Not just for me, but for Braxton. The last time he'd attempted to propose to Dakota, I'd ruined it. This time, the risk of a run-in with Levi Nixon was low, as the momentous occasion would take place at the home of Jaxon Slate, with the Speed in Hartford for their upcoming match against the Comets.

Jenner and I shared a car over to the suburban Connecticut mansion. The Slates were gracious hosts, asking everyone to arrive several hours earlier than the couple. It had the feel of a surprise party instead of a proposal.

"How nervous do you think Braxton is?" I joked with Jenner on the ride over.

"Considering some big brute ruined the last one, I'd say doubly nervous that you'll be in attendance again." The humor in his voice was audible, even though I couldn't see him well in the darkened backseat.

I bumped shoulders with him. "Shut up."

"But seriously. The fact that he wants an audience? The boy's got balls of steel. I've never been more terrified than when I was down on one knee. You think you know the answer, that it'll be a no-brainer, but there's this tiny second of doubt before she says yes when you think the world might end if she doesn't. Pretty sure I stopped breathing and was about to piss myself."

"Wanna place bets on whether he cries at the wedding, though?"

"Fuck off," Jenner huffed. "You'll see what it's like if you ever stop fucking around long enough to settle down. That moment when you see the love of your life standing at the end of the aisle is the same one when you realize your life is finally about to begin. It's indescribable. Anyone with a soul would bawl like a baby."

I'd been the best man at Jenner's wedding. There was nothing but love between that couple. It was a damn shame that factors beyond their control tore them apart. Honestly, I don't know what I would have done if I were in his position—there was no winning or losing, only endless heartbreak.

"Yeah, maybe," I said as we pulled up to the house.

Jenner stepped out with a whistle. "Damn! Must pay really well to be the face of the league."

Thanking the driver, I exited the vehicle to view the mega-mansion for myself. Its stone exterior gave off castle vibes, and that's when something triggered in the back of my mind.

"Wasn't his wife royalty or something?"

A snap sounded by my side. "Shit, you're right. Forgot about that."

I purposely avoided mentioning that you needed tons of space with five kids. That would only reopen wounds my best friend was struggling to let heal.

Stepping up to the double doors at the entry of the home, I knocked, but after a few minutes, no one answered. I could hear the hustle and bustle inside, so I cracked one side of the door open hesitantly.

No wonder no one had heard my knock. There were people everywhere, talking over one another.

Opening the door wider, Jenner took a peek and chuckled. "I don't think they'll even notice if we slip inside."

Our hosts were nowhere to be seen, so we crossed the threshold and stepped into the gathering of guests to witness a beautiful display of love later in the evening.

I had to hand it to the Slates; they knew how to throw a party. Not only was their house magnificent but they had cater waiters passing through the crowd, offering hors d'oeuvres and champagne, with small standalone bars set up throughout the space.

Despite the rivalry between our two teams, the Speed and Comets mingled. Braxton might be the common denominator tonight, but many of these guys had played together in the past or currently trained together during the offseason. But you'd never know it when our teams clashed on the ice.

Jenner clapped me on the shoulder. "I'm gonna grab a drink. You want anything?"

"Yeah, a whiskey neat is fine." I would never admit it out loud, but the drink would forever remind me of Bristol and our first night together, and tonight, I wanted to feel close to her.

Stepping through the crowded room, I nodded to a few Comets players I knew, chatting with those from the Speed. While I was usually more social, there was one woman in attendance I needed to find. I could sense her presence, and until I laid eyes on her, I wouldn't be able to breathe.

I fully expected Bristol to be socializing with Dakota and Braxton's tight-knit group—the same group that had saved my ass the night of the fight at Pipes—so I stopped short when I spied her sitting alone on a large sectional, bouncing a baby in her lap .

Dressed in a cream sweater and black faux leather leggings, she was stunning. But if I was being honest, she always was.

Leaning against a pillar separating the living room from the kitchen, I watched her interaction with her tiny companion. Bristol's face was visible from her seated position, and the expression of pure joy as she held the baby high over her head before bringing it back down to the sound of giggles, had my heart threatening to burst. She was a natural.

Kids had never been on my radar. Hell, settling down, period, hadn't been. Not until now. Not until her.

Bristol walking into my life changed everything I thought I wanted.

Suddenly, I could picture her with a little redheaded baby in her arms instead of the blond one she held. I was guessing it was a boy from the blue overall set it wore, but you could never be sure. Most guys wanted a miniature version of themselves, but I couldn't think of anything better than having a tiny version of Bristol looking at me like I'd hung the moon, like I was her hero.

A glass was pressed into my hand, and I assumed Jenner had returned with my whiskey. Paying him no attention, I brought it to my lips, my brows furrowing when I tasted scotch instead.

I was just about to turn around and roast him for getting a simple drink order wrong, but the voice that spoke did not belong to my best friend. "It's scary how your life can flash before your eyes when you meet the right woman, isn't it?"

Jaxon Slate stepped up beside me, nodding his head in the direction of Bristol.

"Is it that obvious?" I asked, wondering if the entire room could see my thoughts written on my face.

He chuckled. "Only to someone who has been exactly where you're standing now. I knew the moment I saw Natalie that she was meant to be mine. It didn't matter that she was married or had a baby already. I could just feel it, you know?"

I sucked in a breath, rubbing across the ache in my chest. "Yeah, I do."

"So, why are you standing here watching her when you could be over there? You have an advantage I didn't have. She's available, and from what I can tell from when we came to Indy, she's got feelings for you."

Sighing, I sipped my scotch. "It's complicated."

"Love usually is," Jaxon remarked. "But it's always worth fighting for."

"Even if we didn't work together, people will think she's too young for me."

Shrugging, Jaxon replied, "If I cared about what people thought, I would never have taken on a single mom. ‘People' don't have to live your life. They can have an opinion all they like, but as long as the two of you are happy? Screw everyone else."

He had a point, but I still had hang-ups. Well, more accurately, Bristol did.

"She's dealing with a lot," I explained.

"If I can offer a word of advice?" I nodded, so he proceeded. "There's no magic spell that can erase the damage a bad ex leaves behind, even long after he's gone. Patience is key, letting her deal with it at her own pace and being supportive no matter what. It takes time, and even years later, the triggers remain. The trauma of being mistreated will never leave her; it'll resurface when you least expect it. Your job is to be there for her through it all. Be the one she can depend on, even on her bad days. That's what she needs, but she'll never ask for it."

Jaxon spoke as if he knew from experience. And maybe he did. I didn't know much about his wife's ex-husband, but it couldn't have been an amicable split for Jaxon to have adopted the man's children .

But if what he said was true, I'd done the exact opposite. I'd pushed her away, telling her what she needed instead of asking how I could support her. And if the look on her face outside that lingerie shop in Beverly Hills were any indication, I'd hurt her with my rejection.

She hadn't spoken to me since that day—outside of a handful of interview questions with lots of witnesses present—and dread settled in my gut. In trying to decide I knew best for her, had I lost my chance?

My chest felt tight, and I struggled to breathe as the thought of losing her sank in.

"Fuck, man," I breathed out. "I think I messed this all up."

"Been there. But the one thing I learned? You're not going to fix it by keeping your distance. If you want her, go get her. She's right there."

"Thanks." I downed the rest of my drink and handed the empty glass back to him.

Heart racing like a teenager approaching his first crush, I moved toward the redhead who had turned my world upside down.

Bristol was so engrossed with the baby in her arms that she didn't appear to notice when I sat down opposite her on an adjacent loveseat.

"Who do we have here?" I reached out to tickle the baby's tummy.

If she was still angry with me, it didn't show. I might have to thank the chubby cutie in her arms for being the perfect distraction.

There was a longing in her brilliant blue eyes when they met mine, and she gave me a soft smile. "This is Theo Mason. He's Benji's baby."

"Ah." I nodded. "Another future all-star, then."

"Probably." Her light laughter rolled over me. I was itching to switch seats to sit beside her, but I had no right after the way I'd treated her. "They've got hockey sticks in hand before they can walk around here."

I chuckled. Several Speed players who were fathers had come and gone during my tenure with the team. Family skates with the team were great moments when the kids got to come out and play. You were hard-pressed to find a player's child who couldn't skate from a young age. They all wanted to be like their dads, including the girls. Jaxon's daughter, Charlie, was a prime example of that, and I knew she would take advantage of the rapidly expanding girls' game.

Staring at the woman I was quickly learning I didn't want to live without, I asked, "So, you do like kids?"

Confusion flickered across her face. "What made you think I didn't?"

Shit. Had I put my foot in my mouth again? Why couldn't I get this right with her? I'd been so smooth the night we met.

Yeah, because there was nothing on the line other than sex. It's more now.

I pulled on the back of my neck. "Um." Clearing my throat, I realized I was in too deep now to cover my ass, and the truth was the best course of action. "When we were in Pittsburgh, I made a joke about a secret love child, and you said that was your nightmare."

Bristol's eyes widened, and her mouth parted. "You remember that? It was months ago."

Shrugging, I laid my heart on the line. "I remember everything about you, Bristol."

Her breathing hitched, and she stood suddenly, tucking baby Theo into her side. Glancing around the room, she seemed almost panicked as she rushed to say, "I need to find his parents. Excuse me."

Turning her back on me, she scurried away, leaving me alone and no closer to figuring out how to fix whatever had been growing between us. I dropped my head into my hands, letting out a heavy exhale.

Who knew relationships could be so difficult?

Jaxon received a text from Braxton, letting him know they were on their way back from the Comets' practice rink. I guess they had a history there, so that's where he decided to take her before proposing.

When they got closer, Natalie dimmed the lights, turning them off completely once the audible sound of a car door shutting reached us.

The plan was simple. We waited in the dark and let Braxton handle the rest.

Excited energy buzzed through the air as we waited, anticipation growing higher with each minute that passed before the couple entered the house.

Bristol had elected to surround herself with the Comets WAGs since our brief interaction on the couch, but I made sure to have my eyes on her at all times. Even in the dark, with the moonlight casting a slight glow through the wall of windows behind us, I kept my gaze on her instead of turning when the front door opened.

Dakota's voice echoed in the two-story foyer. "Where is everyone? They said we were having a girls' night when we were done with our date, didn't they?"

Braxton latched the door behind them, and their footsteps grew closer. "Maybe they're out back on the deck?"

If the loss of my sight hadn't heightened my sense of hearing, I might not have noticed the way his voice took on a slightly higher pitch. My young player was nervous, but he needn't be. Dakota loved him. Anyone with eyes could see it. There was zero possibility that she turned him down when he asked her to marry him .

Now, if only I could get Bristol to look at me like that.

"But why are all the lights off?" Dakota questioned, confused.

Braxton brushed her off. "You know how it is. Those big windows right next to the deck. Gotta turn off the lights; otherwise, it's too bright to enjoy the fire."

"Maybe . . ." She didn't sound convinced.

He chuckled. "Would it make you feel better if I turned them on?"

"Please," Dakota breathed out. "Just until we find everyone."

There were three soft taps on the wall near what I assumed was the light switch, a silent signal for everyone to get ready. Then the lights came on.

A smirk crept onto Braxton's face, and he threw his arms wide, seemingly pleased with himself. "Found them!"

Dakota stared at the gathering in shock. She tucked her head into Braxton's chest, trying to hide, before finally finding her voice. "What's going on? It's not my birthday."

"No, it's not," he agreed, pulling her into the center of the room.

She tried to dig her heels in, but she was no match for his strength and was powerless to stop their trek as they became the main attraction.

Braxton cupped his girlfriend's cheek, acting as if they were the only two people in the room. "The last time wasn't quite right. While we had some of our tiny little family present, we were missing some pretty important pieces."

A wrinkle formed between Dakota's brows, and she shifted her gaze to Bristol, mouthing, The last time? Bristol gave a slight shake of her head before indicating with a hand that she should turn her attention back to Braxton.

While Dakota was occupied, Braxton had dropped to one knee, a velvet ring box held in his hand.

A soft gasp filled the silence, and Dakota breathed out, "Oh my God. "

With his free hand, Braxton gripped one of hers. "I told you a long time ago that we would always end up here. It was just a matter of when. It wasn't always easy, and we've been through some rough patches, but we came out stronger than ever. I knew that you were special the moment I saw you, and you've proven me right every day since. There's no one else in this world I want to spend the rest of my life with, to build a family with."

He cracked the ring box open, revealing a glittering diamond. Most of the women in attendance were swooning at the romantic scene before them. Hushed gasps mixed with whispered "aws" as hands found a resting spot over their hearts.

"Dakota Elise Danielson, will you make me the happiest man alive and be my wife?"

Tears slid down Dakota's cheeks, but she nodded her head as the tiniest of sobs escaped her lips. "Yes." The single word was said so softly you could barely hear it.

Braxton jumped to his feet, pulling her into his arms and kissing her passionately.

Hannah called out, "Save something for the wedding night!" and everyone chuckled as the pair broke apart.

Cheers sounded as he slipped the rock on her finger.

It was a beautiful moment, and I watched as Bristol's lower lip trembled before she placed a hand over it, turning and weaving through the crowd. I tracked her movements, noting that she slid out the glass door to the deck.

My feet made the decision to chase after her before my mind caught up.

It was time to make things right between us.