Chapter 41

forty-one

MADDOX

"Maddy!"

I let out a soft oomph as Mira barrels into me, wrapping her arms around my middle in a tight hug. "Hey, Mi-Mi. Long time no see."

"You could have come visit me in Chicago, you know," she says with her face smooshed into my chest. "Then it wouldn't be so long." She releases me with a grin. "Missed you."

"Missed you too, pipsqueak." After grabbing her suitcase, Mira loops her arm through mine as we make our way to the parking garage. "How's the current boy toy? What's his name again?"

My sister rolls her eyes at me, frowning. This is how it always is with us. She dates someone, and I refuse to learn their name because what's the point? They're never good enough for her. "Jared."

"How're things going with him? You're all moved in, right?" I guess I should meet him, since my sister's living with the guy. He needs to know what's at stake. If he hurts her, he won't just answer to me, he'll answer to every single member of the Rogues. Especially my guys. They're just as protective of Mira as I am.

She clears her throat. "Yeah. All moved in."

"That's all you're going to say? So chatty." She groans as I set her suitcase in the back.

"Oh, come on, Maddy, you don't want to know about my love life. We don't really talk about this stuff. The only reason I found out about Isla was because of social media. I've read more intimate details about your relationships than you've told me personally."

She might have me there. When Candace and I were dating, she liked to be seen . I should have recognized it for what it was—a red flag—but I was too wrapped up in her. There were plenty of times when we'd go out and end up being photographed. Now, I wonder if she tipped the paps off about where we were going to be because it happened a lot. And always on the nights when she looked her hottest. I'm sure my mom and sister ended up reading more than they ever wanted to know about my exploits. But I'm not that guy anymore, and Isla isn't like Candace. She doesn't crave the spotlight.

"Yeah, well, don't worry. You won't have to read about my sex life with Isla in the papers. I'm keeping her to myself."

Mira claps her hands and wiggles in the passenger seat after she buckles herself in. "I can't wait to meet her. She seems really sweet."

"She is. "

"But you two have definitely made your way into a few articles, Maddy. Sorry to be the one to tell you."

That's news to me. Though, admittedly, I haven't done any googling. "What do you mean?"

My sister rests her hand on my shoulder, understanding softening her features. "Don't worry. It's nothing like when you were with that bitch, Candace. It's just that there are photos of the two of you standing together chatting at that assembly you and the guys did, a few of you together at her school one day, and Griffin posted that photo of her with him and Sebastian calling her your girl ."

Okay, none of that's so bad. With Candace, there were photos of her draping herself all over me, her tits nearly popping out of her dress. Hell, one time someone caught a shot of us with her hand sneaking down my pants. Coach was pissed about that one, but those kinds of photos never show you what happens after that split second in time. And in the case of Candace's hand down my pants, I put a stop to that before her fingers made it too far past my waistband. Hockey is my passion and my career, and if I'm in the press, I want it to be because they're talking about how well I'm playing, not making claims I get hand jobs on the regular while I'm out at clubs and restaurants.

"People are curious about her. Especially since she's so different from the other women you've dated." Mira watches me closely as she pokes me for more information. "And she is different, isn't she?"

"Yeah," I tell her, smiling like a dope as I pull out of the parking garage and head towards my place. "She is. Really different."

Mira leans back in her seat, but never takes her eyes off me. "You seem different, too, you know."

"Do I?"

She nods. "Yeah. You seem more settled. More secure." Her words trail off as she studies me. "Things with her are serious, aren't they?"

If I can't be honest with my sister, who the hell can I be honest with? Mira and I have the same complicated relationship with love because of our upbringing. Even if we deal with things in opposite ways.

So I only hesitate for a moment before I give voice to the truth Logan Byrne, of all people, recognized before I did.

"I think I'm in love with her."

Mira squeals and wiggles around in her seat. "Oh my god, I knew it! Maddox-freaking-Graves, you've finally found your person."

I'm pretty sure I have. It's terrifying as hell, but what's the point in denying it any longer? "I haven't told her yet, so don't be weird, Mir. Seriously. I'll kick your ass if you scare her away. I don't care if you are my little sister."

That has her laughing. "Don't worry, my lips are sealed." She pantomimes zipping her lips, locking them, and then throws away the invisible key. "Does Mom know?"

"Hell, no. Are you kidding? You know she'll show up at my place the minute I tell her, and I'm not ready for that kind of pressure. She'll want to know when I'm going to propose, when we're going to start having babies, how many babies… You know how she is. Isla isn't ready for that kind of chaos."

Mira nods. "Yeah. She keeps digging for info on me and Jared, too, but she's not nearly as bad as all that."

Really? If things with Jared are serious enough for Mira to live with the guy, the fact that our mom isn't bugging Mira is kind of suspicious. "Does Mom like Jared?"

"I think so." My sister shrugs. "She's never told me she doesn't."

Arching a brow, I side-eye Mira. "She never told me she didn't like Candace, either. But she also never told me she liked her. Mom didn't make her feelings known about her until things were over with us."

"What are you saying?" Mira folds her arms over her chest. She's getting defensive. I can see her hackles rising. "You think Mom doesn't like Jared?"

"I don't know," I reply honestly. "I haven't met the guy yet or seen her interact with him. But doesn't it seem a little fishy that she hasn't told you she does?"

My sister falls silent, her lips twisting into a frown.

"Shit, sorry, Mi-Mi. Forget I said anything. What the hell do I know, anyway?"

"Yeah," she says. But she's quieter now. I need to change the subject.

"So I was on the team plane when I told Isla about dinner tonight, and Griffin tried to invite himself along. He and the guys have already demanded that we go out after the game, so prepare yourself. No doubt they'll be as ridiculous as ever."

That has Mira grinning. The guys love her, but the feeling is mutual. She always has fun with them. It's like having a bunch of older brothers around instead of just one. It would probably be overwhelming to some women, but Mira's always thrived under all that attention.

By the time we get to my place and get Mira unpacked, all the talk of our mom and her boyfriend is long forgotten. And when we pick Isla up for dinner, my sister is over the moon. They quickly form a bond, and by the time dinner's over, I'm just sitting back, watching them chatter away about anything and everything, utterly content.

I didn't realize how much hope I was holding onto that they'd get along like this. Mira never liked Candace, and while she made an effort for my sake, I should have seen it. Mira was reserved with Candace. She was guarded. But with Isla? She hasn't stopped laughing, and she keeps looking my way with sparkling eyes.

She doesn't speak the words, but I hear them loud and clear. Isla has Mira's approval. And that means more to me than she could know.

Isla, too, is having the time of her life. I know she was nervous about meeting Mira, but all of those reservations melted away within the first five minutes. They're already thick as thieves, and Mira has convinced Isla not to sit in the private box seats I was planning on putting them in for Wednesday's home game. No, she told Isla that the best way to experience your first hockey game is down in the trenches, right in front of the boards. I can't say I mind. Having Isla front and center like that will only make me play harder.

So as they chat and giggle and make their plans, I work my magic and get them new tickets. I can't wait to show off for my girl.

All is right in the world.