Page 21 of One Weekend in Vienna

11

MAX

Iknow I shouldn’t, but I’m worried. Whatever it is, Anna’s upset and that sits like a stone in my stomach. My fists clench as I look out the window, hoping to see her walk back with a smile on her face. When I count to sixty and there’s still no sign of her, I push away from the table and head outside.

She’s not in front, but there’s a little path down the side of the café and I make my way, keeping my ears and eyes open for any sign of Anna.

The conversation drifts around the corner before I even realize I’m eavesdropping. Anna is huddled in a small gazebo, her back to me, the glow of her phone visible in the growing twilight. The music is muted back here, and her words drift in the icy air.

“Felix, you’re overreacting,” she says.

“Tell me you’re joking,” Felix’s voice snaps, low but sharp enough to cut. I freeze mid-step, leaning against the café wall.My stomach tightens. Felix is pissed, and I have a feeling it’s about me.

“I’m not joking,” Anna says, and I can hear the frustration in her voice. “He’s not a bad person. He’s pretty amazing actually.”

My shoulders ease. I knew we could make things work.

“Amazing?” he growls. “Did you hit your head out there while you were skating?”

I almost growl back. How dare he speak to Anna that way. I push off the wall, but Anna’s voice cuts in as I start towards her, and I slow my step. “Look, I’m sorry you had to see those photos but what’s the big deal, we were skating that’s all.”

What photos?

“You weren’t just skating. He was hugging you and you were smiling at him. Hockey News says it looks like Max ditched practice to spend the weekend with his girlfriend.”

I dig out my phone and head to the social site. Sure enough, someone took photos today and sent them in. There are photos of me and Anna definitely looking like a couple. There’s speculation about how long we’ve been together and why I’m in Vienna instead of at practice with the team leading up to next week’s game against the Stars.

My head snaps up at Anna’s next sentence. “I’m not his girlfriend.”

“Oh, I know that. Everybody should know that because Max Walker doesn’t do girlfriends. Having a girlfriend would mean caring about someone other than himself.”

Jesus, Felix. Harsh. I copy one of the photos, saving it as my new home photo while Felix continues. “Do I need to remind you who Max actually is? What he’s done?”

My chest tightens. I want to walk away—this isn’t a conversation I’m supposed to hear—but my feet don’t move. What is it that Felix thinks I’ve done?”

“People change,” Anna replies, her voice softer now, defensive.

Felix’s laugh is sharp and bitter. “Not Max. He doesn’t change, Anna. He’s selfish, and he doesn’t care who gets hurt as long as he’s happy.”

“Felix—”

“No, let me finish,” he snaps. “Do you know what it felt like, Anya? To have my shot—my career-defining shot—ripped out from under me because of him? That trade would’ve changed everything for me. I would’ve had a real chance to show what I could do. But no, the team wanted to keep their golden boy happy, and suddenly, I’m the odd man out.”

My stomach sinks, cold dread settling over me. What the hell is he talking about?

Anna’s voice cuts through the silence. “The manager made that decision, Felix, not Max.”

“Now you’re defending him?” Felix spits. “He knew exactly what he was doing when he made it clear he wanted to go to that team. They fell over themselves to get him, and I got tossed aside.”

I press a hand to the wall, steadying myself as the weight of his words hits me. I know exactly what he’s talking about. My first draft, as an elite prospect. I had my pick of teams and I wanted one I know I could build, with a foundation that would create a Cup legacy.

But I didn’t know Felix was even on the radar when that trade went through. Sure, I’d made it clear to my agent that I was interested in the deal—it was a good move for my career at the time—but that’s as far as it went. I didn’t sabotage anyone. At least, I didn’t think I had.

But Felix clearly thinks otherwise.

“I can’t believe you’re even entertaining the idea of being with him knowing that he’ll step on anyone to get what he wants,” Felix says, his voice quieter now but no less angry.

Anna sighs, and there’s a long pause before she speaks again. “It’s complicated, Felix. He’s... different than I thought he’d be.”

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