Chapter 32

thirty-two

ISLA

The guys are amazing. Maddox is amazing. They spend a solid half an hour answering questions from curious students that range from thoughtful to inappropriate. We have to shut a few questions down, but not that many. All in all, the students of Center High show the Rogues players exactly what I have known from my first day here. They're exceptional teenagers.

When Maddox announces that every single kid will receive family passes to a home game of their choice—plus snacks, shirts, and hats for each attendee—the students go wild. It doesn't matter that most of them have never been to a hockey game. After today, they're fans for life. Maddox also informs the school that the team has donated ten thousand dollars to Center High's after-school clubs and programs.

"I was raised by an amazing single mom," he says, pride glimmering in his rich brown eyes. "So my sister and I spent a lot of time at after-school programs. We both got opportunities to learn new skills and figure out where we fit into the world at those clubs. All of us at the Rogues believe every single one of you should have the same opportunities." The students cheer and clap, but I'm stunned into open-mouthed silence. When Maddox's gaze slides my way, I press my hand to my heart and hope he can read the thankfulness I know must be etched into my expression.

"Thanks for welcoming us, Center High. We've loved hanging out with you today. I hope we see all of you cheering us on once the season starts at the arena." A cheer goes up and Maddox's smile is blinding. Then he waves his hands in a quiet down gesture and says, "We've got some friends stationed at the doors. The Rogues believe that being prepared sets you up for success. At school, at work, and in everyday life. Which is why there are brand new backpacks filled with supplies and gift cards for all of you."

The students really go crazy at this, and my heart is a goner. He did this. I know it was Maddox's doing.

"There's plenty for everyone, so make sure there's no pushing or anything like that, okay?" His brows rise and he looks from section to section. "Okay?" The kids all shout Okay! and Maddox grins. "Keep striving for excellence, Center. We believe in you. But more importantly, you've got amazing teachers here who believe in you, advocate for you, and care about you." His eyes find me again, and I feel so seen in that moment that my breath catches and my eyes well with tears. "Go Wildcats," Maddox ends with a shout, and a kid dressed in the Wildcat mascot runs into the middle of the gym as music plays. He does a goofy dance to cheers and jeers as teachers corral their students into some semblance of a line.

Before I can do the same with my students, I'm surrounded by massive hockey players. The guys I don't know all that well all say hi and thank me for the chance to come speak to the kids. They thank me . As if I were the one doing them a favor and not the other way around. Flustered, I return the thanks, and when they ask if I'll be at their first home game, I say yes without a moment's hesitation. Maddox has dropped hints about wanting me to come, but hasn't officially asked. His teammates have beaten him to it, but when I see his face drop into an irritated scowl at their request, I know it's not because he hadn't wanted me to be there. If I had to guess, he had some grand plan the others just ruined.

Sebastian gives me that gentle smile of his, tugging me in for a hug. It doesn't last for more than a couple of seconds before Griffin yanks me out of his hold and squeezes me so tightly that I squeak.

"Don't crush Isla or Maddox will crush you," Logan says with a chuckle. He helps me escape Griffin's overly enthusiastic greeting, giving me a quick hug of his own.

"All right, all right, that's enough." Maddox pulls me away from all of them, but his eyes dance with laughter. "Hey, Short-Stack. You look beautiful today."

I wrap my arms around his waist and press in for a long hug. A few students in my class hoot and cheer, and a few chant my name, but I can't pay attention to them yet. I let my eyes rove over Maddox's face and whisper, "I can't believe you did all this. "

The man simply shrugs. Shrugs . As if what he's done here today is no big deal.

It's a very big deal. To me, to these kids, to this school. A very big deal.

"I wish I could say everything I want to say right now, but I have to get my kids back to class. Are you free after school gets out?"

Maddox gives my hand a quick squeeze. "Of course. How about I hang out in the area and pick you up once you're done for the day? We can grab a coffee or something?"

"That sounds great. There's a great little café I always go to like five minutes away."

"Perfect. Text me when you're done?"

I nod. "Yeah. I will." We stare at each other for a few beats before Griffin clears his throat.

"Dude. Don't forget to invite Isla to the barbeque at my house this weekend." Griffin elbows Maddox in the side a little too hard to be considered a nudge.

"I told you I would," Maddox says with a roll of his eyes. "You need to chill the hell out, Wright."

Sebastian chuckles, shaking his head. If these four were actually brothers, Bash would be the oldest. The responsible, conscientious one. Griffin would be the wild youngest child. Maddox would be the second born, and Logan the third. I love watching them interact. Bash rests a hand on Griffin's shoulder. "All right, guys. Let's say hi to some kids, then get out of here. We don't want to disrupt more of the school day than we're supposed to."

"Trust me," I say, "this is the best disruption we've ever had. Thank you guys so much for coming." I flash a bright, grateful smile at all of them. "It means so much to me. And to the kids."

"Anything for our favorite teacher," Logan drawls, earning the attention of a few of my female coworkers. The looks they give him make it crystal clear that they'd happily sign up for a chance to be his favorite teacher. Yeah. I'm going to be fending off requests to set them up with Logan for the rest of the week.

It's difficult to tear myself away from Maddox, but my students get rowdy, and I need them lined up so they can pick up their new backpacks on the way back to class.

"All right! I want my class lined up and calm, or I'm switching our next book to something long and dry. I can think of a few really pretentious books that you guys would just love ." A chorus of groans fills the air as they line up and quiet down. "Aw, come on, people. You don't want to read War and Peace or something?"

"Ms. Harding. No." One of my students shakes his head vehemently. "We're all excited to read Fahrenheit 451 ."

"Okay," I say with a smirk. "Then line up."

"Ms. Harding?" Chris, one of my quieter students, raises his hand. "Are you really friends with all of those Rogues players?" His eyes dart to the guys, who are now all signing things and shaking hands with the students as they wait in line to get their backpacks.

"Well, I don't know all of them very well, but I'm friends with a few of them."

"You totally are dating the big one, aren't you?" A few of the girls giggle when my student, Carissa, asks that.

I try to hide my grin, my eyes instinctively darting to Maddox. He meets my gaze with a blinding smile, and I hope I'm not blushing like an idiot. It wouldn't be very teacherly. "Guys, you know it's not appropriate to talk about my dating life with you."

"That means yes," one of the other students says.

Carissa nods. "Oh, for sure."

It takes all of my self-restraint not to confirm their suspicions. After everything Maddox did today, I want to shout it from the rooftops that I'm seeing him. That this incredibly selfless, sweet man somehow wants me. I want things with us to be official.

But I do what any good teacher would do in this situation. I roll my eyes at my students and pretend I'm completely celibate.

Maddox waits for me in the parking lot when I finally leave for the day. I have plenty of time to admire his tall, muscular figure leaning against his car as I walk his way. He's backlit, the sun haloing him in the warmth of its late-summer rays, and god, is he a thing of beauty. I've never been so attracted to a man. But the best part of that attraction is that his personality and character are just as beautiful as his appearance.

If only I met him before Alex. Before I was broken. I wish my walls weren't so thick because Alex's casually cruel words hit their mark again and again. Some part of me may always wait for the other shoe to drop, but after what he did today? I'm all in. And I'm going to tell him so.

"Hey, baby, how was the rest of your day?" Maddox scoops me up in a hug as soon as I'm close enough. My feet dangle above the ground, and he chuckles at the squeak that escapes my lips. He makes me feel small and protected, but not in a weird controlling way, and I melt into his hold. Then he's kissing me and my brain short circuits. The kiss is soft and sweet, but there's heat behind it. If we weren't in the parking lot of my school and if there wasn't the possibility of someone seeing, I'd be shamelessly grinding myself against the hard length I feel between us, pressing against the jeans he's changed into. Instead, we break the kiss and he presses his forehead to mine. We're both breathing hard, and I have to remind myself that he asked me a question.

"My day was amazing, thanks to you and the guys." I pull back an inch so I can look him in the eyes. "I can't believe you did that for all of those kids, Maddox." My throat tightens, and I have to clear it. "That was so far above and beyond what I asked you to do."

A slow, sweet smile curves his lips as he brushes a hair from my face. "I was those kids, once. And when I told the guys and the team my ideas, it all snowballed from there. But I also know how important those kids are to you, and I wanted to show you how important you are to me."

His last words are soft and adorably hesitant. It's as though he's not sure how I'll react to his confession. Which is crazy, because I'm glowing inside. His words are a ball of light that fills my chest and dispels the shadows that have lurked there for far too long.

I don't know what the future holds for us, but I want to find out. I'm all in.

"Maddox?"

He brushes his thumb along my cheekbone. "Hmm?"

"You're important to me too, and I… I'm not seeing anyone else and I don't want to, and I was just wondering… Well, I was hoping you…" Ugh . Eloquent as always, Isla. I scrunch my nose up and press my lips together. Why is it so hard to tell him I want us to be exclusive? That I want to introduce him as my boyfriend and hold his hand in public without wondering what he thinks we are.

Maddox's face melts into a blinding smile and he flips our position so my back presses against his SUV and his strong arms cage me in. His thumb smooths out the wrinkle between my eyebrows as his eyes dance. The sun makes them sparkle. "Isla Harding, are you asking me to be your boyfriend?"

God, when he says it like that, his tone all teasing and his lips quirked to the side, I want to melt into a puddle and disappear. Because it sounds lame. But yeah. That is what I'm asking. Or would be, if I wasn't such an awkward potato.

"Ugh." I let my head flop forward to rest on his broad chest. He smells so good I just burrow in. This can be my home now. I'll happily die from embarrassment by smothering myself between Maddox's pecs. "Yes," I mumble. His hoodie and body muffle the words. "Yes, I want you to be my boyfriend."

Maddox chuckles, the laugh vibrating through his body and tickling my nose. "Isla." He presses a knuckle beneath my chin, urging me to look at him. I grumble out an unintelligible sound and burrow further into him, which earns another laugh. "Isla. Baby. Would you look at me?"

Reluctantly, I do. I expect Maddox to roll his eyes at me or look exasperated. After all, those are the kinds of reactions I'm used to when I do or say something less than perfect.

But Maddox meets my gaze with such a soft, tender expression. "I've wanted to ask you to be my girlfriend since our do-over date, but I didn't want to freak you out."

"Really?"

He nods. "Really. You're amazing. Smart, intelligent, passionate, and so damned kind. Say you'll be my girlfriend. I want to show you off at Griffin's barbecue and call you mine. Officially."

That ball of light in my chest flares brighter. I lift onto my toes and tug Maddox's face down with my arms around his neck. My lips feather across his as I fight a smile. "I guess that would be okay. Now let's go get coffee, and then you can tell me all about this barbeque, boyfriend. I'm craving something sweet."

"Mmm. Me too, girlfriend." He nips my bottom lip and grinds his erection into my lower belly. "But what I'm craving will have to wait."