Page 66 of Wrong Pucking Jersey

I just loved being taken care of. To realize my well-being is important to another person.

“Thank you.” It’s all I can say for now.

I’m sure he understands the whole picture now.

That’s what Maddox is all about with his peacemaker skills. He puts the piece together in the puzzle before anyone can get a grasp of the final picture. Then he executes a plan that helps everyone and leaves us whole and well again without spilling out our emotions that are tousled and tired.

“You’re welcome, Mkaykay.”

He gives me one more kiss before his thumbs run across my cheeks, as though he’s removing any hidden tear stains.

“What are your plans for tonight?”

“I’m not sure,” I confess.

He’s grinning seductively now, which tells me he has plans for “us.”

“I really doubt Wolfgang is going to let you come over a second time tonight,” I voice the obvious, and it makes him chuckle.

“Let’s invite him over.”

“Oh God, no,” I groan and shake my head. “Coach Johnson will become Sergeant Johnson all evening and night. We wouldn’t sleep. Actually, I’d sleep. You and Wolfgang would enjoy sleeping on the garage floor with the door open so you can be attacked by raccoons.”

“Evil,” Maddox notes and sighs. “Fine. I’ll take a rain check.”

“Rain check for what?” I’m curious now.

“Meet me after this, and I’ll show you how much I love this,” he repeats the words I’d said only moments early on the ice before the “sore loser” photoshoot. “Or should I say that in Russian for added emphasis?”

“You speak in Russian, and we won’t leave this closet,” I complain and move away from him for my own sake.

Save the pussy from torment and temptation.

“Okay, I owe you.” I finally consider as I put my hand on the doorknob. Glancing back at him, I take him in from head to toe, trying my best not to look so smitten for this hockey captain. “I’m leaving first, so you don’t get in trouble. Wait like a minute or something before leaving.”

I wait for him to nod with that sly smile on his handsome face before I continue.

“As for tonight, I have to figure out dorm arrangements. It looks like I’ll get my little own one-bedroom here at the dorms, so I’ll have to explain that to Coach Johnson. I’ll doubt he’ll mind, but I think he’ll want a Father-Daughter night to compensate.”

“That’s fair,” Maddox confesses.

I can see his mind is already working on the news that I’m going to be staying in the dorms.

“You going to need help moving stuff?” he inquires.

I pause from answering right away because I may need help. I’m not sure when I’ll get my car, and I’d rather not call a mover truck or big van to move the few things I’d bring with me. The stadium isn’t necessarily far away from my place. An hour’s drive max, but considering what Amelia warned would be loads of traffic because of the lack of open roads, one hour could be three with ease.

“Maybe?” I finally answer.

“I’ll bring Wolfgang’s truck and have Ace and Damien on standby with their Jeeps,” he declares. “Text me tomorrow when you’re done packing, and we’ll pick you up. Doesn’t matter the time, got it?”

“Got it.” This man is a saint. He was just made to be in my life and make things easier.

“And…” I begin, not sure how to ask my underlying question.

“Us?”

I slowly nod.

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