Page 70 of The Love You Win

My eyebrows shoot up at that. Several? Maddox didn’t say anything about bringing anyone with him. My eyes jump to the double doors leading into the gym as they open, revealing Maddox, his guys, and a few other members of the team. His rich, brown eyes scan the gym until they land on me and soften. I soften right along with them. I’m practically a puddle of goo when his lips quirk into a smile that’s only for me. What did you do? I mouth at him.

His smile grows blinding. For you. He mouths back.

“Center High, please put your hands together for Maddox Graves, Logan Byrne, Sebastian Navarro, Griffin Wright, Ryder Hanson, Trey Moore, and Javier Martinez.” Trish sweeps her arm out indicating the seven massive hockey players decked out in their best game-day suits.

Maddox brushes the back of his hand against mine as he walks into the gym, which is now thundering with applause and cheers, Griffin winks so exaggeratedly at me I’m sure everyone sees it, Logan and Sebastian offer familiar smiles and nod like we’re all in on some inside joke, and the rest of the guys give me little waves.

I can only watch, stunned into silence by the unexpected additions to the assembly lineup. The guys smile and wave, taking the shouting kids in stride like this is normal for them. And I suppose it is. They must be used to this kind of reception. Meanwhile, I’m still struggling to pick my jaw up off the floor, completely overcome with glowing affection for Maddox Graves. When he looks my way again and mouths, You okay? All I can do is nod.

The thing is, I’m not sure I am okay. Because I was right. This is a defining moment for Maddox and me. It’s the moment I fall a little bit in love with him.

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.”

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