20. The Final Roster

20

The Final Roster

Maxime

I'm actually dating Hayley Nash. No, I'm going steady with Hayley Nash. The memory of her lips against mine sends a shiver down my spine, making my heart pound faster than it does during a game. I'd never have predicted that something could make my pulse quicken the way hockey does, but here we are. Hayley Nash is breaking all the records. If I close my eyes, I can still feel her pressed against me, her arms tightening around my neck and her mouth teasing mine. It was like kissing for the first time all over again. The anticipation, the sensation of finally grasping a treasure, every single one of my senses heightened. In short, it was epic.

So were all the smaller kisses we shared after that, and the longer goodbye kiss when I dropped her off. That one hurt, though. Leaving her after that magical night wasn't easy. Worst possible timing. But hey, I'm going steady with Hayley Nash, so I'll be fine. At least I think I am. Part of me is terrified that I just dreamed up the whole thing.

I don't think my lips would be implanted with that memory if it wasn't true, though.

Careful not to wake Adler, who's snoring beside me in the bus that's taking us to the arena, I grab my phone from my pocket.

Maxime

Just to confirm. Last night did happen, right? We're dating?

I don't have to wait long for an answer.

Nash

Yes, we are.

A weird sensation grips my belly. Is this the flutter they're always talking about in romance novels?

Maxime

Just wanted to check. So, permission to send my girlfriend a text every time I think about her?

My Girl

Permission granted 3

The flutter hits again, and I close my eyes, appreciating the moment. I've never been shy with my feelings—at least not to myself—but I have a tendency to coat them with a layer of silliness to safeguard my heart. But not this time. I'm all in, and I need her to know it. Her stupid ex-boyfriends did a terrible job showing her how amazing she is, but that won't be me.

Maxime

I'm thinking about you. And I miss you.

My Girl

I miss you too. Where are you right now?

We exchange texts for the remainder of the ride, and every other spare moment I can squeeze in during the rest of the day.

My Girl

Good luck tonight. I'll be watching on TV.

The fact that she is means the world to me, and I hope I'll make my girl proud tonight.

We're now in the tunnel, fully geared up and ready for our fifth preseason game. We're playing Philadelphia tonight, then Pittsburgh tomorrow before we go back to Brooklyn for the start of the season.

The roar of the crowd reverberates through the arena as we skate onto the ice, the familiar scent of ozone and rubber from the rink filling my senses.

I take my spot on the right wing, the brisk air stinging my cheeks as I skate into position. The puck drops, and the game bursts into action, Hawthorne winning the face-off. My vision narrows, blocking out everything except the game. A game I desperately want to win. We lost our last two games, and I am not going to allow a repeat tonight.

Skates carve into the ice, sticks clash, and the crowd whoops around the arena, but I'm laser focused. Gliding across the ice, I track the puck's every movement. A pass from Miles sends the puck sliding toward me. This is it . Scoring now would not only liven up our team, it'd show our opponents that we didn't come here to play. We came to win .

With a burst of speed, I streak across the rink, defenders hot on my heels. Every stride brings me closer to the net, closer to the chance of making a difference for my team. Of proving myself.

In front of the net, the goalie is crouched, waiting for my move. I release the puck, sending it flying toward the back of the net. At first, I think he managed to block it, but the horn blares, and boos erupt around the arena. The referee whistles, confirming the goal.

Warmth radiates through me as my heart booms with pride. My teammates skate toward me, hugging me and slapping my back. With a grin stretched across my face, I skate toward the bench, and fueled by my goal, I do a roll on the ice, making the entire bench break into laughter.

As I stand up, I notice the camera right in front of me and wave to Hayley, who's probably cheering in her living room.

As I take my spot on the bench, still receiving my team's praise, I realize I've never been this happy in my entire life. For once, everything is going my way. I'm playing the game I love at the highest level possible, scoring goals and finding cohesion with my team. On top of that, the void I'd felt in my chest has been filled by the most extraordinary girl I've ever met. Looking up, I silently thank my mom for watching over me and sending me all this good fortune.

I text Hayley when I wake up, but she doesn't answer right away. Granted, it's super early. After last night's victory—and my two goals—I didn't get a lot of sleep. I'm both electrified by my performance and frustrated I couldn't get that third one into the net. Pulling off a hat trick in the preseason would be a dream come true. But as the coach said last night, better to make those goals during the season so I can get the points that come along with it. I guess that's a spoiler alert, right? I'm pretty sure I just made the team.

Making myself an instant coffee from the tray in the hotel room, I lie back down on my bed and crack open a new book, Realm of Love by Alexandra Bowe. It's another one of Hayley's favorites, and I quickly understand why. With every page turn, I see more and more of Hayley in this novel. Everything reminds me of her, from the main character's skewed view of herself to her sassy one-liners and her passion for books.

Grabbing a pen from the bedside table, I start annotating the book every time I think of her.

I'm halfway through the novel when Hayley replies to my text.

My Girl

Hey. Sorry, we had to get an early start to restock. Books have been flying off the shelves!

A swell of pride washes over me. I'm glad they're doing so well.

Maxime

No problem. I started reading Realm of Love . I see why you love it.

My Girl

Really? How so?

Maxime

I can see you in Julia. You have similar personalities.

My Girl

I guess we do. She's always been one of my favorite FMCs.

Maxime

I don't know if I'll be able to live up to Ilas, though. Dude's an actual wolf. We don't have the same moves.

My Girl

Don't worry. I'm perfectly happy with my human boyfriend. I can't wait to see you.

My heart soars as I read her text. Take that, Ilas.

Maxime

Right back at you

My Girl

Speaking of moves, what silly goal celebration do you have in store next?

Maxime

Oh, not you too! The media was all over me about that last night. Way to put pressure on a guy. Honestly, I don't know how long I'll be able to keep it fresh.

My Girl

I have faith in you. But I thought about it. How about you do that bizarre dance you did at the gala?

Maxime

The swim dance with my nose pinched?

My Girl

Yep.

Maxime

Now I'm even more excited to score tomorrow.

My Girl

So cocky. You're sure you're going to score?

Maxime

You bet. I've been an incredibly lucky guy lately.

After our conversation, Hayley has to go back to work, and I'll be late for practice if I don't get ready soon.

On the ice, we start with some speed skating, then a few half-ice breakouts, and I finish with some skill skating with the skill coach. I feel good, confident that I'll make a difference for my team.

The guys and I chat, and I even grab lunch with Hawthorne, Miles, and Adler. True to their word, they quit with the pranking, though they did empty an entire bottle of water on me after the game yesterday. But I took it with pleasure, because that was no rookie prank. That was a "congrats for a great game" celebratory rite of passage .

After lunch, we return to our rooms for a quick nap before booking it back to the arena for the game. We play some ball and receive pre-game treatment. Soon enough, it's time again to get back on the rink, and I'm even more eager than yesterday. I'll never get tired of this.

"All right, gentleman." Coach Martin clasps his hands together. The locker room goes quiet, and we direct our attention to our coach and the screen behind him.

"I'm not going to say anything beyond what I mentioned earlier. Watch for Edmont and Kirvik. Be crisp and efficient with the puck, and let's have a good night. Jones and Miles will get us going in the back. Hawthorne's in the front alongside Adler and Beaumont. Wilcott, you're in the net. Let's go!"

We hop to our feet, cheering and pumping ourselves up for the game as the players file out of the room one by one.

My phone screen lights up, and I see that Hayley texted me an attachment. I have to open it, or else I'll be thinking about it all first period. I tap on the attachment, and my heart bounces in my chest. It's a picture of Hayley wearing my jersey.

All kinds of feelings are barreling through me right now. So many, it's impossible to describe exactly what I feel. All I know is I've never been so attracted to her. Just when I thought she couldn't get any more beautiful .

I scratch my head, trying to formulate a coherent answer.

Maxime

You wear it better than I do. You're going to have to wear that more often.

My Girl

Deal.

Maxime

Like, every single day

My Girl

Maybe. Good luck tonight. Break a stick?

Her words drag a chuckle out of me, but I don't have time to answer.

"Beaumont, you coming or what?" Hawthorne taps his stick on the locker room door.

"Let's do this." I bump his fist and follow him into the tunnel.

After snatching a victory in our last preseason game, the team is tighter than ever. Hawthorne and I had great chemistry on the ice, and I know that if we're at the top of our game, the two of us can be a dangerous combination. Our four goals from yesterday are a testament to that. Coach confirmed that I made the final roster, and even if I was expecting it, a wave of relief still flooded me as he made the announcement. Some of my teammates offered to help me celebrate, but as much as I appreciate it, the second I'm off the bus, I head to the girls' apartment.

I push open the door of the bookstore, and there she is talking to a customer. When she sees me, her face lights up. I want to hurtle through the store to take her into my arms, but I wait until she's done.

"Hey," Alice says, emerging from behind the desk. "I didn't hear you come in."

" Salut ," I say, my gaze still fixed on Hayley.

"Good game last night. I watched it with the girls."

I glance at Alice, a warm smile springing to my face. I knew Hayley was watching, but I had no idea she'd convinced my sister too. "Thanks."

" Par contre, you need some dance lessons," she jokes.

I wear a falsely offended look. "I beg your pardon? My dance moves are insane."

Laughing, she shakes her head.

The woman talking to Hayley nods, then says something to her before ambling our way .

"I'll get you checked out over here," Alice says to the customer, and I seize the chance to walk up to Hayley.

"Hey, you," she murmurs, a hand falling on my chest. I catch it and pull her toward me. And then I kiss her. With every press of my lips against hers, I strive to show her how much I missed her, how happy I am to finally hold her again. Her arms wrap around my neck, tightening our embrace, and I lose myself in her touch, her perfume, the softness of her lips. "Congratulations on making the team."

"Thank you," I say against her lips.

"Ugh. You guys are so gross," Emma scoffs, passing next to us, but we ignore her. I love being gross with Hayley.

The bell signals the customer has left, and we take that as a cue to come up for air. I caress Hayley's cheeks, and she watches me with a goofy smile that I'm sure is competing with mine.

"This is so cute," Alice says, her eyes glassy as she stands next to us. "I can't believe you're together. I'm so excited."

Smiling at Alice, I take Hayley in my arms. I don't know how long we stay there, just holding each other. This is exactly what I needed after those two intense days on the road.

"Just to be clear, you liked my dance moves yesterday, right?" I ask, stealing another kiss .

Her smile widens as she toys with the collar of my shirt. "I loved them. Particularly the swim dance, but the duck dance was kind of fun too."

I chuckle. "I knew you'd like them. Thank you for watching."

She kisses my neck tenderly. "I wouldn't miss it. Can't wait to wear your jersey to the home game."

My throat constricts as I picture it. "By the way, why aren't you wearing it now? I'm dying to see you in it."

She grimaces. "There was a diet coke incident during that second goal, so it's in the washer. The carpet, however, will probably be stained for life."

"No!" A low chuckle escapes me, and I tighten the pressure around her waist. As sorry as I am for her carpet, a part of me loves that she watched the game with that much fervor.

We finally break apart, and I spend the rest of the day hanging out with the girls and helping with customers. Emma can tease me all she wants, but there's nowhere I'd rather be right now.

When Hayley goes to the back to grab a book, Alice pokes me in the shoulder.

"Ouch. What was that for?"

"You'd better not hurt my best friend, ou je te tues . "

Given the flames dancing in her eyes, I do believe her death threats, even if they're completely out of character for my sweet sister who can hardly swat a mosquito.

"No way. All I want is to make her happy."

"Just making sure nothing has changed. You can expect me checking in once in a while."

Chuckling, I roll my eyes at her. Alice is delusional if she thinks I'd ever hurt Hayley. I'll have her for as long as she'll have me, and I'd be lying if I said that doesn't scare me. I've never felt this way about the girls I dated before. It was never serious, but Hayley is different. The only person in danger of having a broken heart in this equation is me.