Page 130 of The Love You Win

“Mr. Graves asked us to tell everyone what makes you awesome,” another of my students, Eddie, says. He holds his paper out. “Our whole class got together and made a list, but it’s pretty long. So we’re going to give these to you to read later.” Eddie and the other students hand me their papers with massive smiles on their faces. “We think there’s someone else who should tell the world how great you are.”

The spotlight shifts, illuminating Maddox as he steps onto the ice. He’s no longer wearing his uniform like the rest of the guys. He’s in his game day suit and skates. My students pat me on the shoulder as they file past, leaving me alone in the middle of the ice with a bunch of hockey players and the man who broke—but still holds—my heart.

Maddox murmurs his thanks to my students as they pass him, and he takes the microphone from Eddie. His molten-chocolate eyes fix on me as he skates up. He stops before the mat and clears his throat.

“Eddie’s right,” he says. His voice is raspy and low. “Even though your students have probably written a much more eloquent speech than I ever could, I’m the one that has something to prove.” His eyes scan my face before they drop to my hands, which tremble as I clasp them together over my stomach.

“Everyone here tonight has heard the rumors about me. The stupid Gravedigger nickname and how I always break women’s hearts. But until the other week, the nickname was a lie. I hated that name when it was based off of falsehoods.” His voice cracks. “But I hate it more now that it’s not.”

Maddox reaches for my hand. I only hesitate for a moment before placing my palm in his. He takes a step toward me.

“I’ve been a coward and an idiot. I let my fears and assumptions rule me and I hurt you, Short-Stack. I’m so sorry. I’m sorry for how I acted, baby. It’s stupid, but I was so terrified of my feelings for you. No one has ever had the power to break me before you. I’ve never cared enough about anyone to let that happen. So I lost all sense of reason. The last week and a half I’ve been miserable. Just ask the guys.”

Maddox’s teammates grunt their agreement and the crowd laughs.

“The thing is, I don’t like who I am without you. You make me want to be a better man, Isla Harding. Ever since our practice date when you ripped me a new one for being rude, you’ve been it for me. I didn’t realize it then, but I almost let the most brilliant, hilarious, beautiful, and loving woman walk away from me that night because I was stuck in my head. Because I was stuck in my fears.”

Maddox runs a hand through his hair. He takes another step closer. “Then I did it again the other day. Except this time, it was me who walked away. And it was the biggest mistake of my life.”

I’m shaking now. There are still hundreds, if not thousands, of people around us in this arena, but I don’t see or hear any of them. Because my whole body is attuned to Maddox. Nothing exists except him.

“Isla, you’re too good for me. You know it, I know it, the guys know it. Hell, everyone in this arena probably knows it. You deserve someone who isn’t jaded. Someone who doesn’t have issues with relationships. Baby, you deserve the best.” He takes one final step closer. Our chests are almost brushing. He drops my hand and brings his up to cup my face. When a single tear slips down my cheek, he gently wipes it away with his thumb.

“But the thing is, I’m selfish. And even though you deserve better than me, I can’t seem to let you go.” He presses his forehead to mine. “So I’m going to tell you how I feel, and I’m going to wish on every single one of these lanterns that you can find it in your big, beautiful heart to give me another chance.”

Maddox pulls back and nods at the guys. At his signal, they each release their paper lanterns. They’re tethered with a long length of string so they don’t set off the sprinklers in the arena, but they still float high enough above us to look like stars.

Or the hot air balloon where I fell for him.

My heart thunders in my chest and more tears pool in my eyes. Maddox looks down at me with so much tenderness.

He’s not done with me. He hasn’t moved on. In fact, it seems he’s been just as miserable as I’ve been.

“I don’t deserve another chance after the way I hurt you. You have no reason to trust me, baby, and I know that. But I’m too selfish not to tell you I love you, Isla Harding. I’m so fucking in love with you.”

The crowd roars, and Maddox winces. “I shouldn’t have said the f-word. There are kids here.”

A giggle bubbles up out of me. Along with more tears.

He loves me?

My knees feel unsteady. I need to tether myself to something. So I reach out and grab hold of the man who was my rock and is asking me to let him be again. My breath comes in short bursts as I cling to his suit jacket. His gorgeous, earthy eyes sparkle under the spotlight. And they’re trained on me.

He brushes a thumb over my cheekbone, his forehead still pressed to mine. “I love you, Short-Stack. I got a taste of what life would be like without you this past week, and it was worse than I could have imagined. If you’ll let me, I want nothing more than to love you and support you and cheer you on. I want to fall asleep next to you and wake up to your adorable bedhead. And I want you wearing my jersey. Every single game.”

Maddox sucks in a deep breath. I hold mine.

“Can you forgive me? Would you give me another chance? I can’t promise that I won’t mess up again. But I can promise that I will never walk away from you again. I’ll fight for you. Always. And I’ll love you as long as you’ll let me. Even after.” He presses a kiss to my forehead as my body quivers with the emotions I’m trying so hard to repress.

I don’t need to break down and ugly cry in front of all these people.

“What do you say, baby? Give me another shot? I promise I won’t miss this one.”

Squeezing my eyes shut so I can have a moment to compose myself, I breathe deeply through my nose. I can’t believe this is happening. Never in a million years did I imagine Maddox putting something like this together. He’s pushing me outside of my comfort zones, but it’s also perfect. I may hate the attention I’ve gotten because of our relationship, but he’s claiming me. Publicly. Telling the world he’s not embarrassed of me.

He professed his love for me. In front of an arena full of Rogues fans.

Opening my eyes, I’m met with an achingly familiar face filled with a potent mixture of hope and fear.

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