Sadie smacks my chest playfully. "I’d rather hear about that guy… is his son on your team or something?"
Rolling my eyes, I huff while grabbing my phone. Glancing at the time, I realize I’m due at the rink in a little less than two hours, and I still need to get us back to land. Thankfully, I left Benny with my parents, so if I can make it to the marina in forty-five minutes, I can swing by Sadie’s for her to change and still have time to grab my gear.
"He is, and let’s just say we don’t have the best history. I love his kid, but the dad’s an asshole." Sadie nods in understanding. "Will you come to my game? To see me in action?"
"Of course, Max. I wouldn't miss it for the world."
"We both might miss it if we don’t get a move on. Then Thomas will tell everyone I’m a man-whore out here on my boat with a naked mystery woman." I swat her ass lightly. "There’s a change of clothes in the small drawer to the left. Get dressed, and I’ll get everything ready out here."
Sadie smirks, tucking her hair behind her ears before she ducks inside the cabin. Moving to prep the sails, I only turn back when she calls my name.
"Max…" She pops her head out of the cabin, tossing me a wink. "If he calls you a man-whore, I’ll just tell all the rink moms how mind-blowing you are."
thirty-one
Sadie
A Short & Sweet Goodbye
The last two hours have been a whirlwind—honestly, the last month has been too. When Max said we needed to get moving, he meant it. I’ve never seen a sailboat gliding across the sea so fast, and when we tore into the marina… he didn’t even take the time to clean everything up properly, saying that he’d take care of it later.
My guess is that he doesn’t want to risk arriving after Thomas, and that makes the whole thing funnier. We weren’t doing anything wrong—minus the whole public indecency and hanging out on private property thing. On second thought, maybe it’s good that we got here first.
It’s been years since I stepped foot in the Mage Hollow Iceplex, but not much has changed. The same blue carpet lines the floors,there’s still a snack shack to the left of the door, and the actual rink is separated by a tall glass wall with four doors for entry to the seating area.
Max had coach things to do when we arrived, so he dropped me at one of the small round tables near the fried food and soft drinks. Pulling a gooey cheese stick from my mouth, I’m happy as can be.
Last night was incredible and painful—the juxtaposition of emotions warring inside me like Benny when he plays with his Kong and shakes it side to side without abandon. On one side, I’m in love… the happiest I’ve ever been, and I’m not even worried about balancing it all because for the first time I know I can. On the other, I’m waiting for an anvil to drop—hyper aware that the rug could be pulled out from under my feet at any second.
Slurping my soft drink, I stand from my seat and toss the remaining three cheese sticks in the trash nearest the restroom. The game should be starting soon, though it’s technically a pre-season scrimmage, I don’t want to miss it. Not only do I get to watch Max in action, but it’s also a good opportunity to scout a new spotlight player for this year’s program.
Heading through the bathroom door, I slink into the stall to relieve the pressure on my bladder before entering the chilly arena. The door opens and closes while I’m mid-pee, and a faintly familiar perfume drifts into the space. I don’t spend a lot of time with Alex, but it hits me the way nostalgia usually does. It’s the same thing that happens when you walk into an old, musty room and are suddenly transported to another memory—mine being a failed attempt on skates at the roller rink.
Finishing up, I exit the stall and move to a long stainless steel basin sink to wash my hands. Lathering the soap, I take my time looking at the reflection staring back at me. I wouldn’t say I look all that different—a little sun-kissed, maybe—but there’sa sparkle in my eyes that wasn’t there before. When I arrived in Mage Hollow, I was hanging on by a thread. And I had one singular focus—get back to work. Now, while that’s still very high on my priority list—so high it’s inevitable—I don’t feel consumed by it.
"Sadie?" Alex’s voice rings out from behind me.
Looking past my reflection, our eyes meet, and I feel a little less creepy for thinking the stranger next to me smelled like her.
"Alex? What are you doing here?" I step to the side, grabbing a paper towel from the roll to dry my hands.
She steps up to the sink and begins washing hers. "Coop has a scrimmage." She smiles when she says his name, the look that a good mother gets thinking about their child. "Levi is going to be so happy to see you."
"I somehow doubt that." I throw the soggy paper I’m holding into the trash. "Is everything okay?"
Alex’s gaze focuses on her hands, and my heart races. Something is obviously wrong… but what?
"You should come sit with us. What are you doing here anyway? Scouting kids?" She raises an eyebrow in challenge, and I hold my hands up.
"Not entirely."
"Okay?"
Tucking a chunk of hair behind my ear, I sigh far too dramatically. "There’s a guy… we’re-having-a-summer-fling," I rush out.
"Nooo…" Alex bounces excitedly. "Wow, I like it… is he a single dad? One of the coaches? Tell me everything!"
A laugh bubbles out of me, and I try to conceal it with my hand. "Sadie!" Alex squeals. "I think that’s the first time I've ever heard you laugh. This guy is good for you, and Mage Hollow is so close to GC… it could totally be more than just a fling."
