Watching Maverick punch the ever-loving shit out of Cole was hot as hell, but the icing on the cake was when he was escorted off the ice. He looked back at me, bloodied and bruised, and smiled.
Fuckingsmiled, and mouthed,I’d do it again.
I know he would.
“Listen up,” Coach says, and the locker room quiets down. “Good win. Obviously tensions were high, but we got the job done. That shows me not only that we can play under pressure, but we can also play when our number one guy isn’t on the ice. This is a team sport, and you all showed heart tonight. We’ve got a game against San Antonio the day after tomorrow, then we get to head home. We’ll celebrate the victory, but let’s not lose focus.”
“Thanks for stepping up tonight,” Maverick adds. He scans the room, taking his time to look each of our teammates in the eyes. “I know my behavior doesn’t reflect the values of our team, and I’m sorry I put you all in a position to play a couple players down.”
“Bullshit,” Grant calls out, and everyone laughs. “Don’t give us the media answer, Mavvy! Tell us how you really feel!”
Maverick glances at Coach, who sighs and gestures for him to keep talking.
“Fuck Cole Meyers,” he practically growls. “Fuck him straight to hell. This wasn’t just about heart. This was about trust and having each other’s backs, which we do. Those assholes learned that if you fuck with one of us, you fuck with all of us. We weren’t playing like this back in late October, and to see that growth tells me how great this team is.”
He’s made a lot of speeches, but I’ve never seen him embody the role of captain more than he is right now. There’s dried blood on his face, and his cheek is swollen beyond belief, but I know every single person in this room would repeat the last two hours and thirty minutes over again.
“I don’t want any posts on social media,” Coach warns us. “Nothing about the fights or taunting the Wildebeests players. My phone is already blowing up, and I’m sure the commissioner will be calling soon to hand out punishments.” His eyes flick over to Maverick. “I’ll be shocked if you’re not suspended.”
“Like I give a shit.” Maverick shrugs and pulls off his jersey, chucking it toward his locker. “I’ll match the fine with a donation to charity.”
I wonder if he donates to foster care housing in DC. After what he told me on New Year’s Eve about his childhood, I’ve been thinking nonstop about the ways he gets involved in the community.
It makes me want to get involved too, and the next time we’re alone, I want to ask him if I can join him in his volunteer work.
“Hit the showers. We’re flying to San Antonio tonight, and we’ll do a late-morning skate tomorrow so you all can catch a breather,” Coach says, and he looks at me. “There’s a small shower room down the hall, Emmy. The arena staff said they unlocked it for you to use.”
“Thanks.” I smile. “It’ll be nice to be clean on the plane for once.”
“I know it doesn’t change anything at the moment, but I’m working with our arena manager to get something set up for you at home. Something that’s not a supply closet.”
“I appreciate it, Coach.”
The guys start to head for the showers, and Hudson squeezes my knee.
“You good?” he asks, and I nod.
“Yeah.” I glance across the room and find Maverick staring at me. “I’m good.”
“Thought so.” Hudson unlaces his skates and pops to his feet. “I’ll see you on the bus, Em.”
I wave at him and pull off my jersey, tossing it in the pile of sweaty clothes with my shoulder pads. I grab an ice pack from the first aid kit and trudge toward Maverick, watching him drop to one of the benches in the corner and hold out his hand.
“Hey,” I say.
“Hi.” He looks around, and when he doesn’t see any of our teammates or coaching staff, he puts his hands on my waist. “You played great out there tonight.”
“Thank you.” I press the ice pack to his right eye, and he hisses. “You’re going to be bruised for days.”
“Worth it.” He tilts his head back and looks up at me. “I know actions speak louder than words, but I promise I will never,ever, treat you like your ex did. I want you to feel safe with me and?—”
I rest my hand in his hair and rub his scalp, cutting him off. “I feel a lot of things when I’m with you, Maverick, and safe is always one of them,” I whisper, and his mouth twists into a smile.
Maverick squeezes my hips. “What else do you feel?”
“Is that your question of the day?” I ask.
“Yeah.” He nods and grips the waistband of my pants with strong fingers. “It is. I really want to know.”
