“Don’t panic. I’ve got no right to judge. Braxton was talking about starting a family on our first date. Five years later, I’m still not ready, and he’s still not-so-patiently waiting. I’m sure you and Goose will figure out what’s best for the two of you. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”
I had done enough damage; I wasn’t about to double down and explain that in the parking lot, we’d agreed to be fuck buddies and nothing more.
“It’s fine.”
Perking up, she bounced on the bench. “You should come out to Pipes sometime with us after a game. Everyone’s either pregnant or has babies at home, and I could use a new friend. Plus, Goose puts on one hell of a show.”
“Show? What kind of—”
A throat cleared, drawing my attention away from Dakota. I found myself looking up, up, up until I reached intense green eyes that had more than just my palms sweating.
My companion stood, poking the man on one of his broad shoulders. “Be nice. I like her.”
He grunted, tilting his head in a clear dismissal.
Dakota whispered under her breath, “Good luck.”
I had a feeling I was gonna need it. The scowl made it clear who I’d come face-to-face with. The one man I’d been warned to steer clear of. The same man whose bark in the locker room nearly had me needing a change of clothing.
Maddox.
Reminding myself that I’d dealt with far scarier and far deadlier men, I sat up straighter, determined to hold my ground.
Extending a hand, I introduced myself. “I’m Gemma. I’m here with Sasha, but I think all of you call him Goose?”
He arched a dark eyebrow as we shook. Yep, that was one hell of a firm handshake.
“Are you?” That voice was deep and gruff and just as terrifying as the last time I’d heard it.
“Excuse me?” Confused, I pulled away, scooching back as far as I could on the bench without falling off.
“Are you with him? Because all I’ve ever seen before today is you screaming at him like you hate him. Now you show up here, and the two of you are making out in my locker room?”
Cue the dry mouth, opening and closing without uttering a word as I tried to formulate a response.
Everyone had been so nice that I’d been lulled into a false sense of security. But Maddox wasn’t about to let me off the hook.
“You’ll forgive me if I’m a little suspicious of the one-eighty you pulled.”
“Su-suspicious?”
Folding both arms over his massive chest, he stared me down. “I don’t take kindly to anyone who tries to take advantage of one of my players.”
My swallow was involuntary at his deadly tone. “I don’t understand. I’m not—”
Gripping the edge of the half-wall separating us, he leaned in menacingly. “You’re a waitress, correct?”
That had me straightening my spine and lifting my chin, refusing to be ashamed of the job that was a symbol of my independence. “That’s right.”
“Well, he recently signed a contract making him the highest-paid goaltender in the league with an eight-figure annual salary. You can see why I would be concerned about your sudden change of heart.”
Shaking my head, I tried to set the record straight. “Oh no, you’ve got it all wrong.”
“Guess it’s up to you to prove that.”
“Tag! You’re on baby duty!” The man I now recognized as Braxton, Dakota’s husband, thrust the chubby cutie he held into Maddox’s arms. “I’m off to skate with my wife. Have fun!”
He tossed me a wink and a grin, mouthing,You’re welcome, before disappearing from view.
