Chapter 7

CHAPTER 7

KAYDEN

I was up before my alarm. Unusual, and it only happened on game days. I was pumped, wired, and ready to hit the ice. And that was all before I even got out of bed.

Speaking of bed, I glanced over and looked at Maddox, who was lying curled up in a ball on the farthest corner of his bed. I couldn't believe he'd actually answered one of my questions last night without completely ripping my head off. There was a human being in there somewhere. I was pretty sure. Or maybe a vampire, given his dark blue eyes and the whole angry look he had going on.

One thing I was known for—when it came to hockey and everything else—was persistence. And even though my head was telling me to stay away from Maddox, my gut was telling me to keep digging. He wasn't like most college students. Hell, he wasn't like any other person that I'd ever met. There was a story there for sure. I'd spied those tattoos last night and those alone had to have some kind of meaning. A detailed fish surrounded by sea creatures on one arm, a skull biting a snake on the other. The designs were as intriguing as the guy sporting them.

"You're staring," Maddox grumbled.

How the fuck did he know that?

"Am not."

"Are too."

We sounded like were nine instead of nineteen. Instead of lying there feeling embarrassed, I got up and headed for the bathroom. After taking a much-needed piss, I washed my hands, brushed my teeth, and slathered on antiperspirant. Twice. Hey, it was game day, and I was already sweating a shit ton.

By the time I walked back out into the bedroom, Maddox was up, dressed, with the headphones on again.

"You're giving me a complex," I muttered.

He pivoted suddenly, stalked past me, and slammed the bathroom door.

"Okay, you're not a morning person either," I said out loud to myself. "Got it."

I texted Dane. He and most of the guys were already down in the restaurant, having breakfast. My stomach was pitching a fit, growling louder than my roommate. But I wasn't a total dick like Maddox. I got dressed and waited for him.

"Seriously? You're still here?" Maddox snapped when he emerged from the bathroom five minutes later. "Go down to breakfast already."

The guy's attitude was as pissy as ever. Man, he was uptight. Or, just tight. Like the ripped jeans and the long-sleeved Henley he was wearing. I'd thrown on baggy jeans and an extra-extra-extra-large T-shirt that had seen better days. Okay, so I was kind of a slob in the morning. What college student wasn't? Oh yeah, Mr. Model over here, with his trendy earring and slicked-back hair.

Rolling my eyes, I grabbed my room card and headed for the door. Until my phone beeped.

Shit, my medication. I turned around and grabbed my backpack, searching for my pill container.

Maddox walked past me and left the room. Nice.

I pulled out my water bottle, chugged my med, and was out the door not thirty seconds after him.

"Can you at least hold the elevator for me?" I shouted after him.

Maddox was halfway down the hallway and stopped short. But he didn't turn around. He paused, shook his head, and then kept walking, until he reached the elevators. Since my legs were so long, I had no problem catching up to him.

"Can't we just be normal teammates?" I asked. "We don't need to be friends, but we are sharing a room. The least you could do is?—"

"I don't have to do anything," he snarked and rolled his eyes. "And I'm not normal. Or haven't you figured that out by now?"

He slammed the elevator button and then crossed his arms. Jesus Christ, dealing with Maddox was like trying to calm an angry toddler. Time out.

The elevator doors opened, and I let Maddox go in first. I followed, standing beside him, silent.

Don't say anything. Don't say anything. Don't say…

I couldn't help it. I wasn't one for the silent treatment and not talking was just plain weird for me.

"Did you study the videos of Rochester's last season?" I asked.

No response.

"Or maybe Coach didn't send you the link?" I continued. "No, wait. We reviewed one of them after last week's practice, so of course you saw them. Maybe we can re-watch them together? I'd like to hear a goalie's perspective on their strengths and weaknesses."

No reply again. A total shutout. Damn.

The ride was thankfully short, and we exited on the main floor, following the signs to the restaurant. When I spotted the team sitting at the back of room, I nearly ran over to them in relief. Dane and Jace waved at me and pointed to an empty seat. I was so fucking grateful there were people who actually wanted me around.

Maddox stalked away and sat down near Silas. For sure, those two should have roomed together.

"You survived the night?" Dane teased. "I thought maybe you would've been injured by now. Or worse."

"Not before a game," I replied. "Maddox is scary, not stupid. He'd wait until afterward."

"Did he talk to you at all?" Jace asked as he glanced down the row of tables.

"Well, I tried talking to him. You know I can't be silent for long."

"No shit," Dane chuckled. "You talk in your sleep, Kay."

I waved off my friend. "No way."

"It's self-serve here," Jace replied as he pointed to the far end of the dining room. "Go grab a plate, or two, and hit the buffet."

Without delay, I got up and headed over to the breakfast station. And yes, I loaded up two plates. Ten eggs, ten pancakes, and ten slices of bacon. And yes, I was that superstitious. It was game day after all…

With both hands full, I'd have to come back for juice. I whirled around and nearly crashed into Coach Banning.

"Kayden."

"Coach."

"Things okay with Rocher?" he asked me.

I nodded. What was there to say? I wanted to switch rooms, but I wasn't going to ask Coach today.

"Good." He nodded and looked at my plates. "Fuel up. We have a game to win."

Then he stalked off, and I headed back to join my friends. I looked around for Maddox, but he was nowhere in sight.

After a half hour, with my plates empty and my belly full, I was ready to roll out of here. I rode back up the elevator with Jace and Dane, then got off on my floor and headed for my room.

When I entered, I spotted my roommates' headphones on his bed. Then I heard the shower running in the bathroom. I grabbed my earplugs off the nightstand and swept the area for any items I might have missed. Of course, my phone charger was still plugged into the wall. I bent over to yank it out when the bathroom door opened.

I glanced up to find Maddox standing there, his black hair wet, a small towel around his hips. Now, I've been in a lot of locker rooms with a lot of guys, so seeing him like this was no biggie.

So, why was I staring? And why couldn't I remember what I was doing bent over my bed? Dirty, dirty thoughts popped into my head when I thought about beds and bending over . My hormones suddenly came out to play, and it was the worst fucking timing. Ever.

"I need to grab my?—"

Fuck, I couldn't remember the words.

"My…my thing that plugs into the wall…the charger thingy. So, did you have a good breakfast? I mean, not that I care if you eat well, that's your business. Of course, you eat well, look at you. Not that I'm looking at your shape or size or any part of your body. I mean?—"

My face grew hotter with every word that vomited out of my mouth.

Shut up, Kayden.

And then it happened. Like a tornado out of nowhere or a bolt of lightning. Maddox laughed. And holy fuck, the resting dick face was gone and, in its place, a smile that would make anyone look twice. Me included.

But, as quickly as it appeared, it was gone. Maybe I'd imagined it?

"Stop talking," Maddox growled.

Yup, it never happened. I must've had way too much sugar at breakfast or something.

"I'm going to grab my shit and wait for you in the hallway," I replied.

"Or, better yet, go to the fucking bus already!" Maddox snapped and slammed the bathroom door.

Shaking my head, I grabbed my stuff, checked the bed again, and then headed for the door. But I didn't leave. I didn't want Maddox to have to walk onto the bus alone. Not on game day. We always paired up, so no one had a chance to get in their heads and psych themselves out.

Despite his angry words, I was pretty sure Maddox had laughed. At me, but still. As much as I didn't love feeling like an ass, I'd take that over the silent treatment any day. And, if I could make him chuckle once, I could do it again. There had to be a kernel of something good inside him, something that would be worth the pain of dealing with his prickly thorns. I reminded myself that people lashed out hardest when they were hurting.

I waited in the hallway, bag at my feet, perusing my phone. Five minutes later, he stepped out.

"Fuck off," Maddox grumbled as he slammed the door shut.

If I had to room with him over the whole season, I was going to lose part of my hearing for sure.

"Your mouth says fuck off, but your eyes say—" I paused dramatically, and he walked right past me, heading for the elevator.

"The exact same thing!" he finished, yelling over his shoulder.

"No! You laughed in there. I heard you. And I saw your mouth curl up in a smile. Don't deny it."

"And?" He turned around, his steely blues locked on me. "You were acting like an ass; of course I laughed. Who wouldn't? I'm pissy, not dead."

"Woah," I held my hands up in the air. "You realize this is the most you've said to me since we've met, right? Are we, like, starting to become actual friends now or something?"

Oh man, I couldn't wait to see his reaction to that statement.

Maddox gave me two middle fingers and turned on his heel. He speed-walked down the hallway, his ass cheeks bouncing with every step. I'm surprised his jeans didn't bust wide open. And why I couldn't stop staring at his ass was beyond me.

What the fuck was in those pancakes this morning? Did I get roofied and not know it?

"You like me," I teased as I caught up to him. "I knew it. It's just a matter of time."

"Are you sure you're okay to play today? ‘Cause it seems like you might have injured your head this morning," he returned.

We stepped into the elevator. And I did what I usually did when I felt awkward. I kept on blabbing.

"How did you sleep last night? Did I wake you? Sometimes I snore like a fucking freight train, and?—"

Ping. Ground floor.

The doors opened and Maddox stepped out first.

"—It drives my siblings crazy when I fall asleep in the car on road trips. I'm one of six kids," I continued. "What about you, Mad?"

"My name is Maddox. Maddox, Rocher, or Rock. Do not call me Mad. And please, shut up already."

"I like Mad. Not Mads with an ‘ s .' That's too cute for you. But Mad is like, perfect."

He grunted and stalked out of the hotel, but I was right behind him.

As we headed for the bus, Maddox pulled out his sunglasses and shoved them on his face. His expression was still sour, but I could've sworn I saw his lip twitch.