Page 11

11

MAX

I know I shouldn’t, but I’m worried. Whatever it is, Anna’s upset and that sits like a stone in my stomach. My fists clench as I look out the window, hoping to see her walk back with a smile on her face. When I count to sixty and there’s still no sign of her, I push away from the table and head outside.

She’s not in front, but there’s a little path down the side of the café and I make my way, keeping my ears and eyes open for any sign of Anna.

The conversation drifts around the corner before I even realize I’m eavesdropping. Anna is huddled in a small gazebo, her back to me, the glow of her phone visible in the growing twilight. The music is muted back here, and her words drift in the icy air.

“Felix, you’re overreacting,” she says.

“Tell me you’re joking,” Felix’s voice snaps, low but sharp enough to cut. I freeze mid-step, leaning against the café wall. My stomach tightens. Felix is pissed, and I have a feeling it’s about me.

“I’m not joking,” Anna says, and I can hear the frustration in her voice. “He’s not a bad person. He’s pretty amazing actually.”

My shoulders ease. I knew we could make things work.

“Amazing?” he growls. “Did you hit your head out there while you were skating?”

I almost growl back. How dare he speak to Anna that way. I push off the wall, but Anna’s voice cuts in as I start towards her, and I slow my step. “Look, I’m sorry you had to see those photos but what’s the big deal, we were skating that’s all.”

What photos?

“You weren’t just skating. He was hugging you and you were smiling at him. Hockey News says it looks like Max ditched practice to spend the weekend with his girlfriend.”

I dig out my phone and head to the social site. Sure enough, someone took photos today and sent them in. There are photos of me and Anna definitely looking like a couple. There’s speculation about how long we’ve been together and why I’m in Vienna instead of at practice with the team leading up to next week’s game against the Stars.

My head snaps up at Anna’s next sentence. “I’m not his girlfriend.”

“Oh, I know that. Everybody should know that because Max Walker doesn’t do girlfriends. Having a girlfriend would mean caring about someone other than himself.”

Jesus, Felix. Harsh. I copy one of the photos, saving it as my new home photo while Felix continues. “Do I need to remind you who Max actually is? What he’s done?”

My chest tightens. I want to walk away—this isn’t a conversation I’m supposed to hear—but my feet don’t move. What is it that Felix thinks I’ve done?”

“People change,” Anna replies, her voice softer now, defensive.

Felix’s laugh is sharp and bitter. “Not Max. He doesn’t change, Anna. He’s selfish, and he doesn’t care who gets hurt as long as he’s happy.”

“Felix—”

“No, let me finish,” he snaps. “Do you know what it felt like, Anya? To have my shot—my career-defining shot—ripped out from under me because of him? That trade would’ve changed everything for me. I would’ve had a real chance to show what I could do. But no, the team wanted to keep their golden boy happy, and suddenly, I’m the odd man out.”

My stomach sinks, cold dread settling over me. What the hell is he talking about?

Anna’s voice cuts through the silence. “The manager made that decision, Felix, not Max.”

“Now you’re defending him?” Felix spits. “He knew exactly what he was doing when he made it clear he wanted to go to that team. They fell over themselves to get him, and I got tossed aside.”

I press a hand to the wall, steadying myself as the weight of his words hits me. I know exactly what he’s talking about. My first draft, as an elite prospect. I had my pick of teams and I wanted one I know I could build, with a foundation that would create a Cup legacy.

But I didn’t know Felix was even on the radar when that trade went through. Sure, I’d made it clear to my agent that I was interested in the deal—it was a good move for my career at the time—but that’s as far as it went. I didn’t sabotage anyone. At least, I didn’t think I had.

But Felix clearly thinks otherwise.

“I can’t believe you’re even entertaining the idea of being with him knowing that he’ll step on anyone to get what he wants,” Felix says, his voice quieter now but no less angry.

Anna sighs, and there’s a long pause before she speaks again. “It’s complicated, Felix. He’s... different than I thought he’d be.”

“Different?” Felix scoffs. “Please. He’s the same guy who broke Kate’s heart without a second thought. Or have you conveniently forgotten about her because Max turned his charm on you this time?”

“I haven’t forgotten,” Anna says sharply, her voice rising. “And it’s not like that.”

“Then what is it like? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like you’re about to make the same mistake every other woman in his life has made—thinking you’ll be the exception when you’re just another number.”

“It’s nothing, Felix, okay. He’s leaving tomorrow, and it’s nothing, so just drop it.”

The words hit like a punch to the gut, and I stagger back, stepping onto a patch of ice that cracks loudly under my weight. Anna hears it and spins around, spotting me.

“Felix, I have to go,” she says quickly, her eyes wide.

“Anna—”

“I’ll call you later,” she says firmly, and then jabs her finger to the screen, her eyes never leaving mine. “How much of that did you hear?” she asks, walking towards me.

“Enough,” I say, crossing my arms. “Care to explain?”

Her cheeks flush, and she presses her lips together before sighing. “It’s not what you think.”

“Really?” I raise an eyebrow. “Because it sounds like Felix thinks I ruined his career, and you guys have hated me for something I didn’t do for years. That I’m a total asshole.” I cock an eyebrow. “It sounds like you might agree with him.”

“I didn’t say that,” she snaps, but there’s hesitation in her eyes.

“Then tell me what the hell he was talking about,” I say, my voice harsher than I intend.

She crosses her arms, her fingers gripping her elbows like she’s trying to hold herself together. “It was a long time ago. Felix was set up for a trade that would’ve been huge for his career. It wasn’t really a secret that the team wanted him, but then you—” She stops, biting her lip.

“Then I what?” I press, stepping closer.

“You said you wanted to go there,” she says, her voice quiet now. “And suddenly, everything shifted. They focused on doing everything to get you, building you a team and Felix didn’t fit into that vision. He ended up going to Sweden for two years because of it, and it set him back.”

“But he has an amazing career,” I say. “They paid him a shit-ton of money to leave Sweden and come back to the NHL.”

Anna shrugs. “Yeah, I know, but it might not have worked out that way. He’s still bitter about it.”

I stare at her, the pieces clicking into place. “I didn’t know,” I say, the words tumbling out before I can stop them. “Anna, I had no idea that happened. I just... I told my agent I was interested. That’s it.”

“Maybe,” she says, her eyes searching mine. “But Felix doesn’t see it that way.” She looks away, biting her lip. “But you’re the great Max Walker. You always get what you want. You always win.”

I run a hand through my hair, frustration boiling under my skin. “Is that what you think? That everything is just some sort of game where I keep score?”

“I did.” The silence stretches between us like a chasm. Then she flashes her whiskey eyes at me. “Until this weekend.”

“What about the other thing?” I ask, my voice tight. “What was Felix talking about with this Kate person?”

Her head snaps back toward me, her expression unreadable. “She’s your ex-girlfriend.”

“I’ve never had a girlfriend, Anna. Max was right about that at least.” Anna flinches and I step closer. “I went out on a few dates with a girl named Kate. I actually thought she was dating your brother first, but she said they were just friends. It wasn’t anything serious.”

“She seemed to think it was. She cried for days when you broke up,” she says, her voice rising. “She was staying with Felix and I at the time, and she was a mess.”

“I believe she was a mess,” I say, the words coming out sharper than I intended. “We never broke up because we weren’t actually dating. She freaked out on me one night when I didn’t call her after a game and threw a huge scene after crashing a team dinner. I never led her on, Anna. If she got the wrong idea, that’s on her, not me. I don’t go around deliberately hurting people.”

Her eyes narrow. “No? What about all the other women? The ones you’ve left in your wake because you couldn’t be bothered to stick around for more than a night?”

“That’s not fair,” I say, anger bubbling in my chest. “I’ve never pretended to be someone I’m not. I’ve always been honest about what I wanted and didn’t want.”

“And what is it you want now?” she asks, her voice low, challenging.

“You,” I say without hesitation. The word feels heavier than I expect, but I don’t back down. “I want you, Anna. And not just for one weekend.”

She blinks, clearly not expecting that.

I blow out a frustrated stream of air, watching it curl into a cloud. “This isn’t nothing to me. Yeah, I’ve been lucky, in life, in my career, but I work for it, too. I’ve worked for everything I have and I’m not afraid to put in that work. I’m not afraid to take a chance and I’m not going to pretend that this weekend was just a fling.” I shake my head. “And don’t make assumptions about me,” I add, my voice softer now. “I’ve never felt this way before. Never wanted more than one night, with anyone. Until you.”

Her breath catches, and I see her defences start to crumble.

“Anna,” I say, taking her hands in mine. “I’m not perfect. Not even close. But I think we could have something pretty close to perfect, if we try it together.”

She stares at me, her eyes glassy with unshed tears. “I’m scared, Max,” she whispers.

“I know, sweetheart, me too. Your brother is a big son of a bitch.”

Anna gives a watery chuckle and I pull her in for a hug, kissing the top of her head. “I do like to win, you know.” I tighten my arms as she pushes against my chest in protest. “I’ll win him over too because I know how much you love him. And your happiness is important to me.”

She cuddles into me and my heart swells. “I do have to leave here tomorrow, but I’m begging you to try this with me. I’m willing to take the risk. Are you?”

She doesn’t answer right away, but then she tips her head back and rises up on the tips of her toes to press her lips to mine and I can taste the promise in her kiss.