Page 9 of Defensive Zone

“What I do?”

She yelped and spun around. He stood with that stupid grin and twinkle in his eyes. It wasn’t a good twinkle either. He wasn’t capable of that, only mischief and insanity. Guess her week of peace had ended. It’d been a good run.

“You need to wear a bell. How can someone so large sneak up on everyone?”

His laugh echoed through the space. “You’ve been talking to the guys, haven’t you?”

“What?”

He shrugged. “My teammates. They’re always going on about that. ‘Man needs a bell. How’s he always right there before we know it?’” he said.

Her nose tingled and she held back her laugh.

“Go on. You can laugh, you know. I won’t be offended.”

She rolled her eyes. “Please. I doubt anything offends you.”

“Makes life easier if you don’t take everything so seriously, Gabster,” he said, and he reached out and tweaked her nose.

Seriously. Who does that? She wasn’t a freaking child.

“It’s Gabi. And maybe move your hockey bag so the kids don’t trip over it.”

“I just walked in. Maybe give me a minute, Gabi,” he said, drawing out her name again. Why did she both secretly hate and love that?

Was she losing her mind around him?

He tossed his hat on the kitchen island and pulled his too-long hair up into a messy man bun. It was still wet from the shower he’d probably taken at the rink. Then he stroked his hand down his beard, and she felt a foreign flutter in her stomach.

Yep.

Definitely losing her mind.

“Why do you look pinched?” Max asked, peering down at her.

“Ugh. You are a pain in the ass, you know that? Please move your bag so the kids don’t go flying over it. Are you staying for dinner?”

“You’re not going to tell me, are you?” he asked.

“Tell you what?”

He waved his hand in a circle close to her face. “About that look you just got in your eyes. It wasn’t an I’m annoyed with Max look.”

“You’re kidding, right? If I looked pinched, it’s because you are annoying and I could’ve injured myself on your hockey bag and you wouldn’t even care,” she bit out, turning from him to go into the kitchen.

He reached out and grabbed her hand. “I would care. Teasing you is in good fun, but I would never hurt you.”

That foreign feeling picked up speed and she wasn’t sure if it was because he was holding her hand or because his dark eyes were staring intently at her. Either way, she needed to retreat.

“I know, Max. I know,” she said, pulling free from his hold and all but bolting toward the fridge.

“I’ll be here for dinner. What are we having?” he asked.

“Oh, hi, Max. You’re home. Gabi’s making her mom’s tourtière,” Ava said, but Gabi refused to look in her friend’s direction, focusing instead on grabbing what she needed to start the traditional meat pie.

“Can’t wait,” Max said. “Now where are my favorite nieces and nephew?”

“I’m here,” Connor called out, and Gabi couldn’t help but chuckle. His little voice broke the tension that she was pretty sure she was the only one feeling.

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