Eight

Max

What the fuck was she still doing in the lobby? When I walked out of the elevator, I was shocked but ignored her by walking by her.

We landed in Philly earlier than I thought and I had my guy bring me his famous cheesesteak. It’s tradition and after the start of the season, I don’t fuck with tradition.

The whole fucking game I made myself look everywhere but at the lodge I knew she was in. I thought the minute I skated on the ice I would shut off my head and get in the zone like I always do, but then she’s there, by the boards with Matthew’s kids cheering on the team. I couldn’t avoid it when I skated to her side and little Cooper knocked on the glass calling my name, and then Franny fucking burying herself in Allison’s neck. I kept chanting in my head, she hates you and thinks you’re trailer park scum. And it worked. Well, it worked at the beginning till I scored that goal and sat down looking around, my eyes finding her standing up smiling and cheering. Cheering for the team no doubt. I took the bottle, spraying water on my face, and blocking her out. I did my normal routine after the game, except this time the reports were there asking questions about me saving ‘a girl’ then it got switched to how fast I’m skating this season. I answered everyone and then quickly showered and walked out and onto the bus, and because I was the last on, the only seat left was right across from her. I put my earphones in and watched highlights of the game. Seeing if maybe I could clean up some parts of my play. Then the bus stopped and I knew it wasn’t a complete stop, but Allison stood up and I knew the bus was going to move. My hands flew out before I even had a chance to think about it. I’m pretty sure she is going to have fingertip bruises tomorrow because I was squeezing so hard. But just like that, in a blink of an eye, it was over and I dropped my hand so fast you would think someone told me she was covered in acid.

I made sure I was one of the first in the plane heading straight to the back, even though I usually sit in the front so I can be the first one off. Not tonight. Then when the hotel handed out the keys I was the first one to claim a room, going upstairs and dumping everything, then getting a text from Tony, the sub guy.

Now I’m standing in the elevator with a cold hoagie and looking straight ahead. The elevator doors open and I go straight for my door. She isn’t my concern. It isn’t my problem that she can’t find her room. Isn’t my problem that she has no idea where she is going. Nope. I scan my card and see her in my peripheral vision. She is right next door. My door closes before she even gets into hers. What the fuck is going on with me?

I toss the hoagie on the bed, pulling off my tie, and undressing. I think about anything but her. I even think about the fucking weather. By the time I slide under the sheets and unwrap the hoagie, it’s cold, soggy, and just tastes bitter. I toss it aside and close the lights, leaving the shade open, having the night light come in. I wait for sleep to come and claim me and it does, but she has blue eyes when it does.

The road trip goes off without a hitch. We win the game on the road, but lose the one the next day, so the ride home is a somber one. No one really talks, but everyone is happy to get back to their own bed. I walk off the plane, getting into my car, and making my way back home.

The phone rings when I’m a block away from home. I see it’s Denise.

“Hey,” I say as soon as the Bluetooth connects me.

“Hey, yourself. I take it you just got back?” she says to me and I hear papers being shuffled in the background.

“Yeah, I just landed five minutes ago. My body is feeling the pain today, must have been that corner hit from Reddick.” I park in my parking space.

“I saw that hit and winced a little. How many times I gotta say don’t go into the corner?” She laughs and so do I. You can’t avoid the corners or you’re known as a little bitch pansy. “Anyway, I’m calling to say I got the tickets to opening game. Should I ask how you scored twenty tickets?”

I laugh. “I called in a couple of favors.” And I am not lying. I called everyone that I could think of. Plus, I asked a couple of the rookies to donate to a good cause. “You have three weeks to give them away,” I say, grabbing my bag, switching off my Bluetooth, and picking up my cell.

“They are already distributed. It was like Christmas morning in the ward. Lots of happy faces,” she says and I know she’s smiling. “How many more games do you have to play before the official season starts?”

“There are five more games, but I’m not playing in any of them. So till the opening day I get to train and practice.”

“Good, get you ready for the big one. Okay, big brother, I have to go. Dinner next week?”

“Yeah,” I say, unlocking my door. “Let me know when you want to come by.” I dump my bag on the floor and hang up. Stanley comes to the door and goes through my legs, letting me know that she’s happy I’m home. “Hey there, girl, did you miss me?” I ask, rubbing her neck and listening to her purr.

I sift through my mail and go through my email discussing my photo shots with my agent and my endorsers. Adidas has just come on board, so I need to do that one soon. My kitchen table has seventeen boxes on it, all from Adidas. Most need to be signed, so I get myself set up and sign all the shit till my hand hurts. When I notice it’s past seven p.m., I get up, grab my gym bag, and head to the gym. Parking at the rink, I get out and make my way inside. Because it was a travel day, I know that no one will be there, which is even better that I won’t have to wait for someone or have to chit chat.

When I walk into the changing room, I see I’m right. No one is here. Dumping my bag and changing, I walk to the gym and I’m confused that the lights are on. Stepping in, I see blond fucking hair swinging while she uses the fucking elliptical.

“Seriously, what the fuck are you doing here?” I say louder than I had planned to.

Her head looks over and she’s wearing another getup, this one no better than the last one, but at least she isn’t wearing those crop top thingies.

“I think it’s pretty much self-explanatory as to what I’m doing here,” she says as she pants out. “But in case you didn’t understand, I’m working out.”

“Very fucking funny, Allison.” I crush the water bottle that I was holding in my hand.

“Listen, after last time with your temper tantrum I decided I would come at night, so here I am.” She picks up her pace and her chest heaves faster now.

“Isn’t there a gym that you can go to besides this one?” I ask, walking over to the treadmill. Turning it on, I start on a slow jog and she turns off her machine.

“You know what, I’ve fucking had it with your bullshit. I’ve tried to ignore it, tried to walk around you, tried to avoid you, and yet you always seem to fuck with me.” She puts her hands on her hips.

“Trust me, the last thing I want to do is fuck you,” I say, watching her glare at me out of the corner of my eye. The words taste sour in my mouth.

“Well, thank you for making that clear since I was at home doodling your name in hearts.” She walks away then turns around. “And for the record, I wouldn’t fucking touch you with a ten-foot pole and someone else’s fucking hand.”

I pick up my pace, turning to see her standing there. “Is that so, princess?” I smirk at her, knowing she probably wouldn’t touch me.

“You’re an asshole. You know that, right?”

“I’ve been told, many times.” I shrug my shoulders. “Yet here I am.” I put the speed a touch higher. “Playing in the same team your brother said I wouldn’t last in. Here I am even with all my rap sheets and convictions. So, princess, if you think I lose sleep over the fact that you don’t like me, you’re sadly fucking mistaken. You’re an afterthought.” I put my earphones on, letting her know this conversation is over. Pushing my body faster than I want to, I watch her turn and walk away. I run for over an hour. My legs buckle when I get off and walk back to the changing room. I sit down, drinking my bottle of water, and trying to get my breath under control. The scene from before plays in my head on repeat over and over again. I don’t even bother showering here. Instead, I hightail it back home where I shower and eat standing in my kitchen alone.

For two weeks, I make sure I’m never at the rink when she is. For two weeks, I avoid everything that is Allison Grant. The only time I can’t avoid her is when there is practice, but I come in and get on the ice and off. She travels with the team, so on those days is when I’m at ease. The rest of the time I’m like a ticking time bomb. But today is home opener. Today is the day the season actually starts and I’ll be fucking damned if I let her take over my thoughts.

I take out my new blue suit, white button-down shirt, and a royal blue tie. I place a white handkerchief in the pocket, grab my brown shoes, and take a final look in the mirror. Not too shabby for someone over thirty. I make my way over to the arena, calling Denise from the car.

“Where are you?” I ask when I hear a shit-ton of noise in the background.

“We just got to the arena. Max, this place is awesome. Holy shit,” she says while I hear kids in the background asking her questions. “Text me when you get here so you can come meet the kids.”

“Okay.” I hang up. Usually we don’t go out front the day of the game, but this year we have been encouraged to be with the fans. I park my car underground and walk in. The camera crews are already here filming, but I have my Ray-Bans on so they can’t see my eyes. I walk in, saying hi to a couple of people while I text Denise and she tells me she’s at the fake locker room. I make my way to the main level and I’m blown away by the amount of people there so early before the game. It’s only three p.m. and it’s already half full. I walk through the arena, shaking hands with some fans and posing for selfies.

There are different stations set up all along the way. There is a kiosk with a big sign that says Which Stinger Player Are You? People are in there answering questions before it tells you who you are more like.

I walk more and see a shooting station. Luka is between the pipes as you try and score on him. The kids are all lining up, bouncing to get their shot. When one of them actually scores, there is a huge light on top, flashing red, and the horn blazing.

I take in Ryder and the other rookie Paul as they sign things and pose for pictures. I see Matthew there with his family and his stepfather, Cooper Stone, who is holding his namesake in his arms.

I walk by the DJ station and see that it is none other than Missy Elliott spinning some tunes. While people stop and take a picture of her wearing Matthew’s jersey.

I finally see Denise and her kids when I turn the corner. They are standing in a fake dressing room, each kid posing for pictures in their favorite player’s stall. Twenty of them all gang up together in my stall with Denise on one side and Allison on the other. I take her in and she looks like she just walked off the catwalk. What the fuck is she wearing? It’s a one-piece pantsuit thing, with silver heels. Who comes to a hockey game with heels? I don’t have much to think about before Denise spots me and yells my name, “Maxie.” She waves her hand in the air and Allison’s face goes from smiling to horror. She is holding on to two kids’ hands as they all walk toward me.

“This is so amazing. The kids are having a blast,” she says, making sure she has everyone with her.

“Hey, guys,” I say, crouching down in front of them. “Are you ready for the big game?”

They all answer at the same time, then they shout out questions and jump up and down when the Stinger mascot walks by, so they run to him and the team photographers start with the pictures.

“They look like they are in good spirits,” I say, standing here in the middle of Denise and Allison, who watch the kids with the mascot.

“It’s been amazing and Allison has been nothing but amazing. She promised the kids they could go backstage right before you guys go on the ice.”

I swallow the lump that is in my throat.

“Is that so?” I ask, putting my hands in my pockets.

“Yes,” she says curtly, “it is. Denise, it was amazing meeting you.” She turns to my sister. “And you can bet I’ll be touching base with you next week with ideas.” She smiles at my sister. “I’ll have Jason find you guys right before and bring you down to the locker room.” I watch her walk away, then turn to my sister, who is glaring at me.

“What did you do? Did you sleep with her and not call her?” She folds her hands in front of her.

“Are you fucking crazy? That is Matthew Grant’s sister.” I don’t have to go on when Denise just mouths an O. “Yeah, so that is why she’s like she is.”

“Well, she was nice to me and so genuine. So…” She looks over at her kids. “She wants to work with me and the hospital.” She smiles at the kids and turns her glare back at me. “Don’t fuck this up. Be nice.”

I roll my eyes at her. “I am nice.” I don’t even believe it. But I don’t have time to think because it’s time to go and get dressed. “See you down there.” I lean in and kiss her cheek.

“Break a leg,” she says to me and I walk away, shaking my head, and thinking of one thing and one thing only. Apologizing to Allison.