“Yeah, because my father asked him for it.”
Coach leans back in his chair, brown eyes assessing me. “Do you know why I wanted you for the team, Maddox?”
I shake my head. “Because you like chaos?”
He doesn't take the bait. “I wanted you because you're a good player. Not just a good player, one of the best I've ever seen. Do you think you've come this far because of the name on yourback? Do you think hockey fans put up with you because you’re a Maddox? They know when you get on the ice you're going to score. When I saw you play for the first time, I knew you were going far.”
Someone having faith in me is the worst fucking feeling. It's bad enough having Lavinia’s faith and knowing I can't let her down. I can almost convince myself that she's someone who has faith in everyone despite seeing everyone's flaws. She loves me so she might even feel obligated that she has to have faith in me. I know it's not the truth, but it makes it easier to think it is.
Now Coach is telling me he has faith in me as well? What the hell am I supposed to do with that?
I narrow my eyes at him. “Are you only telling me this tonight because you're afraid of what's going to happen on the ice?”
He looks me straight in the eyes and says, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. We’re only playing a little hockey.”
I’m starting to see why Lavinia likes him so much.
On my way out of his office I pull up my phone and text Lavinia.
Roman
I think Coach has a crush on me. Also, I punched my father and broke his nose.
Lavinia
Wow! so much information all at once. I’m not sure which one to react to.
Roman
Obviously the most pressing information is that Coach has a crush on me.
Lavinia
Why did you punch your father?
Leave it to her to focus on the wrong thing.
Roman
He was talking shit about my wife. No one talks shit about my wife and gets away with that.
Lavinia doesn’t reply. Probably realizing what’s going to happen on the ice tonight. For someone planning bloody murder, I’m strangely calm.
“You’re not going to kill Josh in front of 20,000 people.” I look up from my phone and see Drew standing in front of me with his arms crossed and a hard look in his face.
“It’s almost a little too creepy that Lavinia is probably thinking the same thing right now because of the text I sent her,” I say. “Did she text you?”
“No, my sister hasn’t texted. I’m talking to you as your team captain and also as your brother-in-law, unfortunately.”
I grin because I know it’s going to annoy him. “Drew, I think this is the first time you ever referred to me as your brother-in-law. Are you starting to accept me into the family?
“Don’t be an ass, Maddox. My twin sister is married to you. It’s not like I have a choice.”
“We don’t have to kill him entirely,” Reese says.
“We can kill him a little,” Holden adds.
“Don’t listen to the evil twins,” Drew commands. “Think of your wife.”
