Page 215 of The Maxwell Brothers
"The arena is so intimidating," I said. I was still looking around.
"You haven't been here before?"
"No, it's my first time."
"Wow. I think you'll enjoy it.”
“I promised Tyler I’ll cheer for him super loudly.”
Andrea grinned. "I like you, Kendra. I'm so happy Tyler didn't listen to Daniels’s warnings."
I knitted my brows together. " What warnings?"
"Well, the guy basically told Tyler it wasn't smart to mix business and pleasure. But Tyler's always had a mind of his own. It’s not easy to sway him."
"True. It's not," I said, frowning as I looked at the ice. The team's manager had warned him against dating me? Why hadn't Tyler said something?
I searched for the management box, and though it was easy to spot, it was too far away to see anyone. And even if I did, I'd only ever spoken to management via email. I wouldn't recognize anyone.
My heart started beating faster. I couldn't help feeling even happier knowing he'd gone ahead and pursued me, even though he'd been warned not to. That was how much he wanted me. That was how much he cared.
The Maxwells returned quickly with the drinks, and I was tempted to ask them if they knew anything about what Andrea had said. But then I decided against it. I didn’t want to spoil the mood, and besides, my heart was about to burst with happiness.I didn't think it was possible, but I felt like I loved him even more than before.
CHAPTER 29
TYLER
My woman wasin the stands, watching me, and I felt on top of the world when I skated out on the ice. My name reverberated through the rink as they announced me, and I heard the fans cheering in the background. I searched the crowd for one person and found her in the Blades’ suite. I kept her gaze, flashing a smile just for my girl.
Steve skated right next to me, putting a hand on my shoulder. "Dude, keep your head in the game. I need you to focus and be the best. I need you for this game."
"Steve, I’m in top shape.”
“I know you are. I mean mentally. Yesterday during training, your mind was more on your girlfriend working in that dingy diner for that sleazy boss. I don’t want any of that distracting you.”
“You have nothing to worry about," I said, loud enough for the MVP of our opponents, Adrian, to hear. He was close enough to eavesdrop—such a jackass. The whole Most Valuable Player accolade had melted his brain.
"Good. Just keep your head in the game."
"Will do," I said.
Adrian snickered. I removed my glove and flipped him the bird. Asshole did it right back.
Fucker.
The rivalry was normal in hockey. If I was honest, it was useful. It pushed each team to play their best. But Adrian and I never saw eye to eye on anything. I didn't like the way he played. It was dirty.
The second the game began, all thoughts of Adrian or anything else evaporated from my mind. It was a blank slate. My eyes were on the puck. I blocked goals left and right, again and again.
I heard the fans roaring as if from a distance. I wasn't able to understand what they said, obviously, but I knew the gist of it. I felt empowered every time they cheered or called my name.
Coach used the first intermission to school us good.
"Men, you were strong, but I know you can do better. Tyler, your game is on point. Leo and Joe, we need more goals. Tyler alone won't be able to win us this game. He can't score any goals. You can, so do it."
"Yes, sir," they both said. They were frowning, and I appreciated that Coach wasn't harder on them because I knew they were being extremely hard on themselves anyway.
I went between the two of them, patting each one's shoulder. "Come on, guys, we can do it. Let's get back on the ice and show them why we won the Stanley Cup."
