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CHAPTER

ONE

MAXWELL

R elationships suck. I have zero desire to ever be in one.

Okay—maybe when I’m past my prime and ready to settle down into that boring phase of life.

Maybe. But now? What’s the point? I’m young, attractive, rich, talented…

and not even a little bit cocky. I’m one of the stars of last year’s Stanley Cup–winning NHL team, the Cranes.

I can have any girl I want—no strings, no complications.

I’m a free agent, living life on my terms. And I love it.

My eyes dart to my best friend Jaden, sitting on the couch, scowling at his phone like he can will a reply that’s never coming.

Poor guy. Just a month ago, he was everything I am—young, free, untouchable.

Now? He’s a mess. He went and gave his heart to a girl.

And not just any girl—a movie star who doesn’t want the same things he does.

I feel bad for him. Not just because he’s been playing like crap since she left but because he’s like a brother to me. I want him to be happy. I was rooting for him and his celebrity crush, even if I always figured it would end like this.

Jaden used to be the life of the party. Now he’s sitting there, dejected, and it’s brutal to watch. Honestly, it’s the perfect reminder of why my no-relationships rule is the smartest move I’ve ever made. We’re too young to be tied down.

“We’re having a party,” I announce, clapping my hands together.

Startled, Jaden looks up from his phone. “What?”

“Let’s have the guys over tonight. We haven’t hosted in a while.”

He shakes his head. “I don’t know…”

“Nope. It’s happening.” I cut him off before he can argue.

“We can’t really do poker night—that’s Eddy’s thing.

But it doesn’t have to be complicated. Just a regular hangout.

Although…” I pause, thinking. “A video game competition would be sweet. No.” I wave my hands like I’m erasing the idea from thin air.

“Forget themes. We’ll just see where the night takes us. ”

“I don’t really feel like hosting,” Jaden says flatly.

“Too bad. We need to get you out of this funk. It’s decided.”

He jerks up from the sofa and drags a hand through his hair. Then he holds up his phone like it’s proof of something. “How hard is it to send a simple text back? When she left, she said she was on board. She said?—”

“Yes,” I finish for him, cutting in before he spirals. “She said she wanted to be with you. Etcetera, etcetera. I know, Jay. We’ve been over this. But just because a woman says something doesn’t mean she means it.”

“Then why say it?” His voice rises, frustration turning sharp.

I shrug, hands toward the ceiling. “I don’t know, man. And I’m sorry. Maybe she’ll respond. Maybe she won’t. But life doesn’t stop either way.”

“You’d understand if you’d ever been in love.”

“You’re right,” I say, unbothered. “And I’m grateful I can’t relate.

I don’t know what you’re feeling, but I do know sitting around feeling sorry for yourself isn’t the answer.

” I grab my phone. “Get ready. I’m texting the guys, and then we’re heading out.

We need supplies. There’s nothing to eat or drink in this house. ”

Stepping outside, I breathe in the warm air, letting it fill my lungs.

It’s early November in Michigan, but it feels like summer.

A sunny, breezy, seventy-degree day—a rarity for this time of year.

I take the top off my new Ford Bronco. I’m obsessed with this car.

Navy blue—Cranes hockey colors—and the horse, or I guess bronco, emblem looks badass.

Jaden joins me outside, his voice not sounding remotely amused. “Top down?”

I extend my arms. “Of course! Are you feeling this sunshine? You need to cheer up, buttercup. If this weather doesn’t do it, I don’t know what will.”

He quirks an eyebrow. “Have you always been this obnoxious?”

We hop into the Bronco.

I chuckle. “Uh, yeah… and normally, you’re more annoying. So I feel like I need to step up my game.”

“Please don’t.” He slides on his sunglasses.

Pulling out onto the street, I go over the details of tonight. “What are we thinking? Beer? Mixed drinks? We’ll definitely get chips and stuff, but should we have actual food delivered? What about wings? That sounds good.”

“Nah,” Jaden pipes up. “Wings are messy. No one wants their hands and face covered in sauce at a party. Plus, our sofa is cream-colored. That’s just a disaster waiting to happen.”

“True.” I chuckle, finding it amusing that the thought of barbecue sauce on our couch is what’s bringing Jaden back from the brink of depression.

“We could do subs. Easy to hold,” he suggests.

“Subs it is. So beer?”

He nods, holding his arm out the window. “Yeah, beer goes well with subs.”

“Agreed.”

I pull into the grocery store parking lot and shut off the engine. Pulling out my phone, I start typing a list in my notes app so we don’t forget anything.

“Ice,” Jaden adds.

“Good point. We always forget that.”

I’m still typing when a hostile question and a beautiful voice cut through my focus.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

My head snaps up. A woman stands outside my open window, arms full of grocery bags, glaring like I just stole her puppy.

“Get out!” she demands.

I smirk, layering on the Max charm. “You don’t have to ask me twice.”

I step down from the Bronco, but before I can say another word, she elbows me in the ribs and squeezes past me, marching straight for the car. With a grunt, she hoists her bags into the back seat. That’s when she finally notices Jaden sitting there.

Her eyes go wide. “Are you deaf? Get the fuck out!” She points at a far-off point beyond the vehicle. “I can’t believe this right now. You realize there are cameras all over this parking lot?”

Jaden steps out of the car, glancing at me like what the hell is happening? Meanwhile, I’m standing there, weirdly fascinated. I’m not even sure why I’m going along with her absurd demands, but something about her makes me curious. Maybe it’s the fact that she’s insanely gorgeous.

Her strawberry-blond hair is tied into two low pigtail-like buns at the nape of her neck.

Her nostrils flare as her big green eyes pin me with a glare that could melt steel.

Chest to chest, I can’t stop staring at the freckles dusting her nose.

Throw in her killer body, and she’s just…

stunning. So much so that I don’t even question it when she turns away from me, climbs up into the driver’s seat, and slams the door shut.

“What is going on?” Jaden mutters, now at my side.

I don’t answer. I’m still too busy watching her, trying to figure out what this gorgeous, feisty creature thinks she’s doing.

She fastens her seat belt and, narrowing her eyes, stares me down as she makes a show of pushing the lock button on the door.

Given that the top is off and there are literally countless entry points into the Bronco, a little lock isn’t going to do much.

But still, she presses the button with such authority that it’s kind of fascinating.

“I don’t know who you think you are,” she growls, “but you messed with the wrong girl.”

“Did I? That wasn’t my intention,” I say, playing along.

She rolls her eyes. “Men like you are the worst.”

“Are they?” I raise a brow. “How so?”

She blows out a heated breath. “You know what? I don’t have time for this. You’re just lucky I’m in a hurry, or I’d be calling the cops. If you were smart, you’d take this as a sign to get your life together. But we both know that’s not going to happen.”

“Such hostility,” I tease.

She huffs and whips her face forward. I can’t help but notice the flush creeping down her neck. I’m guessing it’s from anger, but I’m hoping it’s something a little more… lusty. Depending on how this plays out, she might just earn herself an invite to tonight’s party.

With one hand gripping the steering wheel, she jams the key fob into the ignition. Her brows furrow as she keeps trying, shoving it in over and over.

“What the…?” she mutters under her breath.

“Excuse me,” I say, knocking on the door. “You’ve made it clear you’re not in the mood to chat, but may I suggest you try your keys in that one?” I point at a navy-blue Bronco two rows over.

She follows my finger, and her mouth drops open with a gasp. “Oh my God.”

She fumbles with her seat belt and practically launches herself into the back seat to grab her bags. “I am so sorry. I can’t believe I did that.”

“So… should I be calling the cops? Or…?” I smirk.

She shoots me an unamused look. Arms full of bags, she jumps down from the Bronco.

I release an exaggerated sigh. “I mean, I know men like me are the worst, but maybe I won’t press charges… this time.”

She shakes her head and pushes past me. “I gotta go.”

“That’s it?” I call after her, throwing my arms out. “You insult me, try to steal my car, and all you’ve got is I gotta go ?”

“I apologized,” she shouts over her shoulder as she gets into her own Bronco.

“Yeah, well, I don’t think you really meant it. I didn’t feel an ounce of remorse in your voice!” I yell across the parking lot.

With a shriek of tires, she backs out of the spot. As she drives past us, she calls, “Well, I guess you’ll never know.”

I watch her until she’s out of sight. “That was one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever seen in my life.”

Jaden scoffs. “Beautifully unhinged.”

We start walking toward the store.

“That kind of added to her allure, don’t you think?”

“No, I don’t.” He laughs, the sound music to my ears. “That one would be nothing but trouble.”

“But for like… one night? I bet it’d be hot. Like real hot.”

Jaden shakes his head, wearing an amused grin. “Let it go, man. Trust me.”