Page 50 of He Has Charm

“You two seem close,” I say, thinking of my younger brother and wondering, with the nine years separating us, if we’ll grow even closer as he becomes an adult.

“Our whole family is close. Mom, our younger sister, Laurel, Maddox and I leaned on each other and strengthened our already tight bonds when Dad died.” Sadness shadows her eyes for a blink, but then her attention snaps back to the ice as a puck hits the boards nearby. We look up to see Maddox standing at the glass, waving an arm.

“I think your brother is trying to get your attention.”

“My attention? No, I think it’s your attention he wants.” Fat chance. But I don’t argue, just wave back. Luckily only half the crowd has taken their seats. I’m going to have to somehow dispel Katy’s notion that Maddox has any interest in me. No need for her to get the wrong idea.

“So tell me about you and Maddox,” she says. I cough for no reason except shock and to stall to come up with an answer.

“Nothing to tell. Agent-client.” I shrug.

“You seem to get along well,” she says with a smirk, “cooking together and all.”

“Of course we get along. Who wouldn’t get along with Maddox? He’s pretty easygoing and fun. Besides, it’s my job to get along with clients.”

Her face looks like I’ve burst her bubble, but she bounces back. “Sure. Only I don’t think I’ve ever seen him get along quite so well with a woman he wasn’t related to. That’s all I’m saying.”

I knit my brows, but since she didn’t ask a question I’m not saying a word. Not that I’d know what to say to that. She’s his sister, but as far as I know she doesn’t see him out with women, so she might not be an authority on the subject.

The game finally starts and Maddox takes the ice. Coach promoted him to the first line. My chest bubbles up with pride.

“He must be so thrilled that he worked his way up to the first line,” I say out loud.

“About time the coach smartened up. I’ve been yelling at the television for two weeks waiting for this,” Katy says, and I laugh.

The puck drops and the game is on. Tension winds me up whenever Maddox is on the ice and then I relax when he returns to the bench. I feel like a yo-yo winding up and down as players and pucks fly around. Two minutes into the game it’s obvious that Maddox is the fastest man on the ice. Watching him fly from the other end toward our end makes my heart hammer.

Then I jump from my seat along with Katy as someone smashes Maddox to the boards near us. I cover my face like I’m a hockey novice, like some uninitiated wimpy girl, not the ex-hockey player that I am.

“What’s with you?” She laughs and peels my hands off my face. “You’re like my mom. She can’t stand to see Mad hit. It kills her.” She stares at me until I have to turn away and sink back into my seat.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I would hate to see him get hurt. He’s my meal ticket, right?” I laugh—or try to, but it comes out as an insincere attempt.

“Do you… have feelings for him?” Her eyes search my face and I’m newly astonished at her unabashed propensity for asking bold personal questions. Shit.

“No, of course not. Why would you ever say that? We both know he’s not a feelings kind of guy. He’s the fun guy, the guy who takes nothing but hockey seriously, plays and enjoys his variety when it comes to women—”

“Wow. You are a serious rambler, aren’t you? It must drive Mad crazy.” She cackles. “I bet he adores you.” She claps her gloved hands together in a muted clap. She leans in and asks in a low voice, “How far have you gone?” I jolt upright like my back just got starched.

“What are you asking? And why?” Mostly why is she so excited about it? I have no idea what’s going on in her head.

“I told you before and I meant it, I’ve never ever seen Maddox this into a woman before. He was always the confirmed bachelor, very committed to never getting married, and it’s such a shame.”

“Why?” I ask without thinking, my need to know more stubborn than my need not to embarrass myself.

“Why is it a shame or why doesn’t he want to get married?”

“Why doesn’t he want to get married. I know why it’s a shame,” I admit.

“He has his reasons. Or one reason. One very good one. It’s not for me to say. You should ask him if you really want to know.” She pats my hand. “I hope you do.” She turns back to the game and the subject is now closed as if she’s clamped a giant lock on her lips and thrown away the key.

We get to the third period and the score is two to two. Maddox has both the Brawlers’ goals and everyone on the ice is calling for a hat trick. Of course. Delaney must be wild wherever she is, stoking up the fandom to do her bidding or using voodoo or something. I smile, because I actually like Delaney in spite of her scariness. Maybe because of it.

As if fate is trying to make it up to Maddox for the unfair deal he was dealt with the viral sex video, tonight he can do no wrong on the ice. In the second period he hits the cross bar with a shot he takes as he’s falling over and it clangs off and bounces into the net off the back of the goalie’s helmet.

“Shit did you see that! A hat trick! He got a hat trick!” Katy bounds to her feet like everyone in the place, including me, though I don’t have as much bounce as she does. I’m more of a stamina kind of girl. That was always my strength as a hockey player, in life too. We hug and high-five each other and she lets out a loud whistle. I follow suit, letting go because I don’t know why not. I’m known for my whistles—or I used to be back when I played. Haven’t had too many occasions to let one loose since college. Hats cover the ice.

I take my earmuffs off and throw them over the glass. Katy laughs and fist-bump me. We’re not too far from the bench so my muffs land near the gate. I look up at the Jumbotron.