I put my phone away as class finishes, and when Mads notices I’m here, I don’t see her usual guarded look. Her face lights up and she waves. That’s new, but I like it. I’ll take a smile for any reason. Hell, I’ll take anything she’s willing to give me.
“Hey there, hockey boy,” my Maddie smirks. Smirks. My girl is never smug. Then, to my complete and utter delight, she initiates a hug. A good, wrap yourself around me, rub my back hug. What is happening here? She seems thrilled to see me, and it’s a heady feeling. I go with it, enjoying the feeling of her body against mine.
“Hey there, Mad girl.” I say with an answering grin, but I’m all jumbled up inside, but she looks so happy to see me, I don’t care.
“I am. I’m really glad you stopped by.” She is? Damn, that’s nice to hear. I don’t care why this is happening. I’m just going to enjoy it, so I tighten my hold and breathe in her wildflower scent. Holding her soft, curvy body against mine, loving how she’s stroking her hands up and down my back. This is not a “friend” hug. My body knows that, and my dick reacts accordingly. Not wanting to make her uncomfortable, I try to pull away, but she just tightens her grip. I want to throw her over my shoulder and head for the nearest bed, so we can explore every part of this change in our relationship. I don’t, but God do I want to.
“How was your day, pretty girl?” I’m a little breathless, but I’m not about to let her go.
“Really good.” She gives a happy sigh and then pulls away just enough to look up at me. “Staying for dinner?”
“Sure. If you want me to.”
“Oh, I want.” And damn if that phrase doesn’t go straight to my dick. Like he’s not already focused enough on her.
She laughs, and it’s low and husky. Fuck me.
“Come on upstairs with me, handsome.” Nothing could stop me at this point.
If I thought I was gone on her before, nope. Totally lost now. I help her and Ace pick up all the mats from class. Noting how Ace does his fair share by tugging them over to the used mat basket. They seem to have found their routine, something a working dog loves. If I weren’t so focused on my girl, I’d be giving Ace more praise. Turns out I don’t have to. Mads rewards him with a treat for his help. If he were human, he’d be preening like a peacock. As it is, he trots after her, clearly smitten.
I get it, Ace. Same.
I want to ask her what’s going on, but I’m terrified it might ruin this new place we’re in. Do I really care what happened when it looks like she might be open to starting something with me? Not really. I’m just so damn happy for the opportunity.
It’s so strange when you’ve wanted something for so long and then suddenly it’s within your reach. It doesn’t seem real. Did Walker talk to her again? That makes no sense. He’s been trying to get us together for years, so why would it be different this time? Besides, he’s been all up in his head lately about hockey. He gets hyper-focused. Which is outstanding for his career, but not so much if you want to discuss anything else.
I follow her up the stairs to her apartment, sore legs protesting the climb.
“Want me to feed, Ace? I ask, as she takes off her shoes and heads to the kitchen. I follow suit, dropping my sneakers next to hers. Looking at them side by side, my heart gives a little lurch.
“Yeah, thanks. That would really help.”
I hope like hell my feet don’t smell. I showered after practice and changed clothes when I got home, but a past hookup had a lot to say about it, so now I’m hyperaware. It was embarrassing at the time, but I was actually grateful in the end. Athletes are used to smelly gear. and I probably wouldn’t have noticed if she hadn’t said something. Now I pay attention to smells. Maybe that’s why I’m always trying to huff Mads. She smells amazing.
Since I usually help with Ace in the morning after my run, I know right where she keeps his food. I grab the cute blue ceramic bowl that Maddie decorated with paw prints and Ace’s name, filling it up with his serving of kibble. Maddie also gives him toppers, which are just chopped-up chicken and pumpkin in gravy. Ace goes nuts about it. If I didn’t mix it in, he would just eat the topper and leave the kibble. I stir it, making sure to cover the kibble with gravy. It’s so extra, but he loves it.
After getting Ace settled, I wander over to the kitchen to help Maddie with dinner. We’ve gotten into a routine in the morning with breakfast, so it’s easy for me to slot myself next to her and start prepping whatever veggies she has waiting for me. There’s something about this domesticity that we’ve created that feels so comforting. I’ve always been a guy who’s always adhered to some kind of schedule. I thrive on routine, and with her it’s even better. It feels like home.
Maddie’s a fantastic cook, and everything she makes is super healthy, but still tastes delicious. As a person who’s eaten way too much plain baked chicken and brown rice, I appreciate the variety. She’s been making me this mouth-watering protein smoothie that tastes like pineapple and coconut. It’s kept myusual mid-morning hunger at bay until we break for lunch, even through pre-season training.
It looks like we’re having salmon tonight, so she’s prepping an enormous fillet. She’s clearly already planned to include me for dinner, and it makes me feel all warm and gooey inside.
“Thanks for the dinner invite.” I say, giving her a quick forehead kiss. She smiles at me, and it’s full of affection and warmth. God, that feels good. It’s not that she’s not normally affectionate, but I haven’t seen her this open and cheerful for quite a long time. The last time I can remember is before her parents passed away. Wow, has it been that long? It feels pretty special to be the one who makes her smile like that again.
We have dinner together while we talk about our day. Our conversation flows so easily, and we’re so comfortable together. I could do this forever and it would never get old. We both enjoy working with kids, and I’m thrilled that we have that in common.
“So, you do a class for these kids every week?” I ask.
“Yeah, it’s for the community center’s after-school program. For parents that can’t afford a daycare program. They’re super expensive. There are a ton of single mom’s out there who get no help from the father’s while working minimum wage jobs. I like to help anyway I can. I don’t have a lot of money to donate, so I just donate my time.”
“That’s such a terrific way to give back. I love doing the community outreach projects, especially when they work with children’s charities. Kids are a blast. Walker and I have been tossing around the idea of a hockey scholarship thing. Maybe sponsoring a local team. It’s such an expensive sport.”
“Oh, I know!” That answer had a bit of a bite to it. I quirk an eyebrow at her response. She sighs.
“Look, I know that it’s not Walker’s fault, but being his sister was hard sometimes. I felt like an afterthought, honestly,I probably was. He was the golden child and there was no way I could measure up to that kind of talent.”
“I’m sorry, Mads. I had no idea it was like this for you. I’m really glad you shared your perspective. You know he’s never felt that way about you.”
