Page 26

Max

What a strange night this had turned into. “I mean I was just excited to know I’d get to play tonight,” I said to Ruben as I drove him to his house.

“I was excited for you,” he said. His eyes were closed as he rested his head against the headrest but held my hand tight. “What did Joel say?”

After Joel left Ruben’s room, he saw Griffin and waited for me outside. “Well, I think I scared him. I mean you know I’m not a violent person, but I guess I came in a little hot and he was worried. But then he explained that he hated living in Seattle and the job he thought was his ‘dream job’ wasn’t. He told me the same thing as he did in your room, that he was hoping to get his old job back.”

“Seems like a strange coincidence,” I mumbled.

“For sure.” I changed the subject. “I hadn’t planned to meet your parents like that, but I’m glad it’s out of the way.” At first, I wasn’t sure if it would upset them that I was there, but after looking at Ruben, I didn’t have it in me to try to pretend I didn’t care.

“They were glad you were going to be with me tonight. Otherwise, they would have taken me home with them. Did Joel mention why he’d involved Jason?” Damn he was stubborn.

“He said he was hoping that Jason could fill him in if I was seeing anyone, but he might have turned it on a little strong and made Jason think that I was as interested in him, and you were making it hard for me to focus on Joel.”

“Really?”

“Oh, that totally sounds like him. Always the victim and never the guilty one. I’m glad I got to speak to him and Jason was near enough to hear it all. We won’t have any trouble from now on.”

“That makes me really happy, Max,” he mumbled.

“Let’s get you inside before you fall asleep. Coach said for you to stay home tomorrow, and I have permission to take care of you. So, tomorrow is nothing but us relaxing.” I helped him out of the car and to the door while he fumbled with his keys before finally getting the door open.

“I need to use the bathroom,” he said, and started walking in that direction before he stumbled.

“Please let me help. I don’t want you to fall and get hurt even worse. You took a hard hit to the head,” I said and helped him down the hall and to the bathroom before closing the door behind me. “I’m going to see if I can find you something to eat.” He didn’t answer so I walked into his kitchen and opened the refrigerator. It was stocked but I wasn’t sure I was up for cooking a full meal. His pantry had some cans of soup, so I took one of those out and after finding the can opener, I opened the can then poured the soup into a saucepan and turned on the cooktop.

“Max?” he said from the hall, and I hurried to him.

“Sorry, I was in the kitchen. I hope soup sounds good,” I said as I helped him to the couch. He slumped over and rested his head on the armrest.

“That sounds perfect,” he said. The bandage on his head stood out against his dark hair and I was again reminded how bad it could have been. They’d pulled his hair back out of the way and I hoped they hadn’t had to cut much of it. Normally longer hair wasn’t something I liked, but it was just part of Ruben. After he settled, and I was done staring at him, I walked back into the kitchen.

I poured some soup into a bowl and since I couldn’t find any crackers, I toasted some bread and took it out to him. “Here you go, try to eat some. You don’t want to take those pain pills on an empty stomach.”

“I don’t think I want to take them at all. I might just see if Tylenol is enough,” he said and sat enough to eat. He took a piece of toast and nibbled the corner of it.

“I forgot to get you something to drink,” I said and got him a glass of the iced tea he usually drank.

“Thank you,” he said. “I appreciate you doing all this. It’s still a blur to me, I can’t believe I have no memory of being hit. If I’m being honest, I don’t remember after I arrived at the arena,” he rambled before eating a spoonful of soup.

“I’m so relieved you weren’t hurt more seriously. When I saw that puck flying toward the box, I just knew someone would be hurt by it.” It played on repeat in my memory. Vonn slapping the puck as hard as he could at the players’ box and hitting the one area that was open. But I knew how precisely a player could hit a puck and it still didn’t sit right with me that it had been an accident.

“Come here,” Ruben said, and patted the couch next to him. I’d been pacing in front of him and hadn’t even noticed.

“Sorry, I guess I’m still pretty worked up,” I said and took a deep breath. He put his arm around me and kissed the side of my head.

“It’s okay,” Ruben said. “I’m sure when I wake up tomorrow and fully understand what happened I’ll be worked up too, but right now all I can think of is going to sleep.” His eyes slid shut as he spoke. He’d hardly eaten anything, but I didn’t think he’d be awake much longer.

“How does bed sound?” I asked even though I knew he should eat more.

“Like heaven, but only because you’ll be there too.” He smiled with his eyes closed and leaned against me. I was so worried about hurting him I was frozen next to him, afraid to move.

“You try to eat a little more and I’ll go turn the bed down and find you something to change into,” I said before slipping away from him. “I’ll be right back.” He opened his eyes then and smiled.

“Thank you, Max,” he said and took another bite of toast.

I was happy I’d stayed here a few times and knew where he kept everything, and after getting the bed ready I was about to walk out to the living room when he met me at the door. “I put everything away. Can we go to bed?”

“Of course, whatever you want,” I said and helped him with his shirt. “The one time I’m glad to see you wear a button-down shirt.”

“You don’t like them?” he asked.

“I love how you look in casual clothes when we’re here,” I said with a shrug. “It’s cozy.”

He opened his eyes again and smiled before leaning in to kiss me. “I’m so happy you’re here.” After helping him with his clothes I changed mine and slid into bed next to him. I curled up behind him and held him close while he held my hand.

“I’m happy I’m here too,” I whispered before kissing the back of his neck.