Page 132 of When Love Takes The Ice

I laugh and shrug like it was nothing. “I went easy, baby.”

She gives me a look. I kiss her again. “I’ll see you behind the scenes in a bit, yeah? We’ll get something to eat.”

“Sounds good.”

I know the guys will want to come, too, as well as Maddie’s friends. I’ll entertain it for a while, then I need to take her back to my condo and do very bad things to her.

I see Coach Carter having serious words with Tyler when we get to the locker rooms after the fanfare is over. I don’t know what’s being said, but it looks intense.

Tyler looked like he was limping when he came off the ice. Not good at all.

“Great game,” Taylor says as we hit the showers. “Those fucking twins are going to be the ones to watch this season.”

“You’re not wrong,” I tell him. “He did his best to dodge around me all night. The kid has some stamina, that’s for sure.”

“Cruz is the same.” Taylor shakes his head. “Or maybe we’re just getting old?”

I laugh, holding my hand to my chest. “Really? You think we’re old?”

“Getting old,” he suggests. “It happens.”

I slap him on the back now. “Speak for yourself,” I muse.

“Em definitely doesn’t seem to think so.”

That makes me grin. “Come on, you two were always going to be together. I knew it all along.”

He laughs. “Thanks, man. If only I’d known it at the time, eh?”

“All good things come to those who wait. That’s what my mom—” I fall short, and he looks at me. It somehow doesn’t feel the same now, even talking about her like I usually would.

“You’re gonna get through this,” he tells me. “Just like you always do. You’re a fighter, Ash always have been.”

I smile ruefully. “I hope you’re right.”

“And you have Maddison now. You two make a great couple.”

“I fell pretty hard,” I admit. “I think I’ll stalk her until pre-season.”

He laughs. “Always a good way to get a woman.”

Maybe my mom is right, despite everything. Maybe good things do come to those who wait. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see.

A few weeks later

Off-season is proving to be more fun than I thought. Especially because I’ve been practically living with Maddison in Miami the whole time.Pre-season games haven’t started yet.

We’re going to see mom, Kate, and Kenny this weekend because Kenny sent me a cryptic message a few days ago telling me he needed to catch up with me as soon as possible. He was going to drive to Miami himself. I told him it wasn’t necessary, as I have to put in an appearance anyway with the rest of my family.

I haven’t really spoken to my mom since they left after the charity game. It’s been complicated. I don’t know what to say.

But I think Kenny’s urgency may be about getting serious with Kate.

Proposal kind of serious. What the hell else would he be so urgent to talk to me about?

We drive up to Tampa; it takes us about four hours, but we enjoy the road trip and stop halfway to grab a coffee and some snacks.

Mom knows we’re coming, so I’m sure she’s making a feast for us tonight. I don’t know how I feel about it right now, but I know I can’t put it off forever.

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