Chapter 14

chapter

fourteen

Max

It's been a week since we started sleeping together. She hasn't said anything about whether or not it means anything for our relationship. I'm being a pussy not asking too. I could say that it's my eternal belief that she's my soul mate, but the truth is, I'm too fucking afraid to ask and have her reject me again.

I know she has to feel it too. This incredible connection we have. What I don't know is whether or not she's going to let herself grab onto it. She's still holding something back from me. I know that much.

Aside from the big ass elephant in the room, our time together has been amazing. I've been working on the nursery, painting it and adding shelves to the closet. She works on her laptop and periodically we make love on the nursery floor.

At night after we eat, we end up snuggling in her bed watching our show about catching smugglers. We laugh and make-out like teenagers. I usually spend some time laying by her belly and talking to our boy. According to the baby books and apps, he should be able to hear us now.

Today is the first day I've had to head back to the arena for some practice since I moved in with her. It's been a nice break, but those breaks will get fewer and far between.

The actual practice goes well. I don't know how much ice time I'll get during the season since I'm the rookie, but I'm out there for practice working my ass off. Unlike most hockey players, I didn't grow up in the north where ice skating is a way of life.

Texas is hot nine months of the year. But my sisters did everything they could to help me follow my dream. I had to work twice as hard as the rest of the players to make up for the fact that I didn't have daily access to an ice rink. Some natural ability and athleticism helped.

But I can't lie and say that there haven't been times I wish my sport had been football. Much easier to train and play in Texas.

I've barely gotten my pads and jersey off when I hear snickering behind me. I know since I'm the new guy that I'm going to get the brunt of the jokes and pranks. It's the hierarchy of things. I respect that.

"Yo, Max, where's your cougar?" Dylan asks.

What I will not tolerate is anyone talking shit about my woman. I turn slowly to face him.

Epps stands there with him and they're both laughing and wearing shit-eating grins.

I walk calmly over to Dylan. I've got a few inches and pounds on him since he's a forward and I'm a defensive man.

"What the fuck did you just say?"

Dylan laughs again. "Just asked about your cougar. Does she let you call her Mommy when you're fucking her?"

Red blurs my vision and I jump him. Before I know what's happening I'm on the ground, straddling him and pounding his face.

"Coleman! Enough!"

Brendan and the backup goalie pull me off of him.

"You better not fucking talk like that again or I will end you." I spit blood out on the floor from the couple of punches he got in.

He's gonna look like he was beat to shit. Two black and swollen eyes.

"Get him to the team doctor! Now!" Brendan yells. Then he drags me into one of the PT rooms. "What the hell is wrong with you? You can't just go off and beat your teammates. I mean I get it, Dylan is a punk, but he's a good player." He scrapes a hand up his neck. "What the hell did he say to you?"

I look at my team captain and the love of my life's brother. Their eyes are similar, I realize.

"He called Charlotte a cougar. Then said some other shit that I don't even wanna repeat."

"Mother fucker!" Brendan yells. He offers me an elbow for a tap. "Thanks for having her back."

"I'd do anything for her, Cap. I'm so in love with her."

A ghost of a smile crosses Brendan's lips. "Have you told her that?"

"Once. But she's not in the same place emotionally. Or at least she's not ready to admit it to herself. So I've been swallowing that every goddamn day."

Brendan nods to one of the tables and I sit. He sits on the other one.

"You know it's all that shit that Evan put her through," he says.

Evan? Who the fuck is Evan?

"That mother fucker strung her along for years, then blamed her for their problems and divorced her after only two years of marriage. He's a pussy."

I squeeze my eyes shut as his words resonate through me. "Did you just say that Charlotte was married before?"

"She hasn't told you. Shit, I'm sorry, man. She has reasons. He really fucked with her." Brendan winces. "I really am sorry I'm the one who told you. Go home and y'all work it out. I've never seen Charlie happier than she has been the last week. She loves you. Just be patient with her."

I nod, then walk away. I take a quick shower, dress and then drive home. It's time for me and Charlotte to have a heart-to-heart conversation.