Page 83 of Defensive Zone

“Definitely,” his dad said.

“Good luck, honey. I would like one goal, please,” his mom said.

He laughed. “Amelia and Connor already demanded one, so I’ll try my best.”

And then he was out the door before he could give in to pursuing Gabi in front of his parents.

Maybe he shouldn’t have invited his parents to stay at his house.

He’d spotted his family down near the glass during warmups. His father always loved being up close, and Max knew the kids had taken very little convincing to watch from down there as well. He hadn’t spotted Ava, so she was probably up in the family room with Elise and the other WAGs and kids.

Elise looked so damn adorable in her little Strikers headphones and Bastian jersey. He couldn’t wait to bring his own kids to the game.

Whoa.

Back the fuck up.

“What the hell, Baz,” Jake said when Max stopped dead in his tracks on his way into the locker room after warmups.

“Uh, sorry. Thought I forgot something out there,” he said.

Yeah. Like his brain. Gabi was making him think about things he hadn’t really ever thought about. He hadn’t even been hooking up all the time like he had in his early rookie years. It wasn’t as fun as it once had been.

Fuck. Was he turning into an old man already? He wasn’t even thirty. At least not for a few more months.

“You coming?” Nessie asked, his damn brow quirked. That was happening way too much for Max’s liking.

“Yeah. Yeah.”

“We’re paying close attention to you on your favorite holiday, just a heads-up,” Nessie said.

“Like I would do something on a day when you’re all expecting it. I am not an amateur,” he said, and he had no prank plans today. It was better to keep them on their toes.

“Sure. Whatever. I’m still watching you,” Nessie said.

“That’s kind of creepy, man,” he said.

“Saw your family up front. Gabi, too,” Nessie said, ignoring Max’s comment as they walked into the locker room.

“Yeah. My parents wanted to visit and Gabi’s still helping out Ava, so she’s here tonight with the kids,” Max said.

“That’s great. Riley’s been hanging out with Gabi and Ava more, especially when we were on that last road trip. She really likes them.”

“That’s great. I want Ava to feel at home here. She’s been through so much,” Max said.

“Yes, she has. I bet your parents love Gabi,” Nessie said.

“What’s not to love?”

Nessie smirked.

Son of a bitch.

She was messing up his concentration. He was always in control, always knew the next step someone was going to make.

She’d thrown him far off course. It should piss him off more.

“I mean, she’s great. She’s family. Whatever. I need to go tape my stick,” he muttered.

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