Page 6 of Soulmates and Slapshots (Love in Maple Falls #6)

WESTON

F riends? Ugh. Yep, Fiona made that clear.

Which is fine considering we just met and she’s only in Maple Falls for a short time.

Honestly, I have other things to deal with, like the number of messages I’ve been receiving since I made my big TikTok debut.

As expected, my former teammates and friends are thrilled to have such a video at their fingertips.

The first message is from Mac, who’s one of my closest friends.

I’m glad to see you venturing out and trying all the things. Maybe Dancing with the Stars is in your future? The ladies would love to see you in a pair of tight silky pants and a ruffled shirt.

I scowl as I type a response.

Thanks. I appreciate your support.

Jake, my former coach, sends me several of the dancing guy emojis.

Cooper’s text makes me chuckle.

Pine Falls strikes again. I told you that town does crazy things to people.

My mind instantly goes to Fiona. My friend, Fiona .

What’s wrong with me? This is ridiculous. I’ve never been someone who falls instantly. And I’ve always had a lot of female friends, but it really bothered me when Fiona said the f-word. Friends.

My phone buzzes again with another message from Cooper.

Next thing you know, you’ll meet a woman you can’t get out of your head. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Okay, that’s weird. Especially Cooper Montgomery giving life advice.

I stretch out on my couch and scroll until I find Mac’s number and click on it.

“There he is, the TikTok sensation,” he answers.

“Very funny,” I retort.

He laughs hysterically. “I’m kidding, man. But good for you for getting involved in your new team. How’s it going otherwise?”

I give him a rundown of the practices so far and my teammates. I’m just grateful to no longer be talking about my dancing.

“So you’re liking it there so far?” he asks.

“Yeah. Maple Falls is nice. It’s small, but the people seem very nice, and they love having a hockey team in town. Apparently, there are superfans running rampant here.”

“Puck bunnies?” he asks.

“Maybe…”

“Well, if Cooper can find a woman in Maple Falls, anything is possible.”

I laugh nervously.

“Very true,” I agree. “I actually met someone today.”

“Really? Does this someone have a name?”

“She does. It’s Fiona.”

“Ah, now we’re talking. Let’s hear it… ”

“She’s only in town for a short time visiting family,” I add.

“That’s okay,” he says. “What else?”

I tell him about running into her two times, first on the street and then the diner. Then I tell him she called me her friend.

“So what?” he says. “Vivian used to despise me—we were basically enemies. Starting as friends is a much safer way to go, trust me.”

Vivian is Mac’s girlfriend. They grew up together but didn’t get along for years, and then when he went home in the off-season, all that changed.

“Good point,” I say. “Plus she’s leaving.”

“When?”

“I’m not sure. A few weeks?”

“Plenty of time to work your magic. I can give you all the tips.”

I snort. Mac has never lacked confidence. This is something I’ve been trying to work on both on and off the ice.

“Anyway, things with the team are ramping up,” I say, shifting the subject to hockey. “We have an inaugural bash, and then the season starts.”

“Are you ready?”

“I think so. I’m hopeful for a successful season,” I tell him.

“It’ll be good,” he says knowingly. “I mean, not as good as the Wolves’ season, but there’s nothing wrong with second place.”

I laugh. That’s a typical comment from Mac.

“Didn’t Vivian talk to you about that ego of yours?”

“Yes, but she’s finally starting to appreciate it. It’s part of the Mac Evans charm. ”

I roll my eyes even though he can’t see me. “Keep telling yourself that.”

We talk for a few more minutes, and once we’re off the phone, I continue to think about our conversation. Mac always has a way of looking on the bright side of things. This is something I need to do more of.

I guess there’s no limit to how far my humiliation can stretch these days.

First, I’m starring in dance videos on the team’s social media page thanks to Clara’s never-ending stream of ideas.

And as if that wasn’t bad enough, I’m now parading around the Maple Falls Farmers Market wearing a white T-shirt that proudly reads Ice Breakers Hockey: Saving Maple Falls One Splash at a Time.

Plus a new nickname, Mama’s Boy .

Yep. That’s me. A grown man with that plastered on his shirt for all of Maple Falls to see. Although I do love my mom, and it could be so much worse. Mama’s Boy isn’t as bad as some of the other guys nicknames like Snuggle Muffin and Princess Sparkles. I totally lucked out.

Clara, our team’s social media wizard, swears these antics are boosting our online reach and helping the town rally behind the new team. I’ve always been a team player, and a team player does whatever is needed.

Still, it’s late September, and the damp chill of the Pacific Northwest is creeping into my bones. My spiral of self-pity is interrupted by an unmistakable squeal coming from somewhere.

“Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, welcome to the first ever Maple Falls Drench for Defense fundraiser with your very own hometown hockey team—the Ice Breakers!” a bright, enthusiastic voice calls over the loudspeaker. The announcer is the mayor’s daughter, Ashlyn.

The crowd bursts into applause following her announcement as my teammates and I wave from where we are standing in a row like pageant contestants.

“It looks like the boys came prepared today,” she teases. “Look at them all dressed in crisp white T-shirts.”

Whistles and cheers ripple through the crowd.

I grit my teeth. Yep. This is happening. A wet T-shirt contest in September. I’m not sure what to expect next.

One by one my teammates step forward, and I watch as volunteers drench them with buckets of freezing water. The cheering intensifies as the soaked shirts cling to their bodies, and it becomes obvious the town’s female population is very invested in this fundraiser.

As I inch closer to my turn, the nerves set in. This isn't exactly my comfort zone. I know it’s all for a good cause, but when people start chanting “Mama’s Boy” from the sidelines, I consider making a break for it. I keep reminding myself that I’m doing this for the team and the town.

And then I spot Fiona standing by the volunteer station, holding a bucket of water. She’s grinning sheepishly, giving me a shiver from more than the cold. I blink. Is she doing what I think she’s doing?

I step into position as directed, and then Fiona steps forward.

“Ready?” she asks. I can barely hear her through the noise of the crowd.

I nod slowly realizing that the bucket she’s holding is meant for me.

And then suddenly the ice-cold water hits my chest, making me gasp. Every muscle in my body tightens as the crowd roars with delight. An older woman is standing next to her, clapping like this is the main event of the year.

Fiona waves to the crowd, but I can’t take my eyes off her. I’ve got so many questions running through my mind. Why was she the one to do it? Andhow much did she pay to throw a bucket of water on me?I know she mentioned she believes in good causes, but this is unexpected.

Jamie, our team captain, is the last to be drenched. The mayor’s daughter steps up with the final bucket and soaks him. This causes the crowd to get even louder.

And just when I think we’ve hit the peak of embarrassment, “It’s Raining Men” begins playing.

The team forms a line, and we start parading around like we’re part of an off-Broadway male revue.

I can’t believe I’m doing this. I’m pretty sure my former teammates would pay good money to get their hands on this footage—and they will see it.

The hockey world is small, so it’s only a matter of time before my phone starts ringing.

But judging by the laughter, the raised phones, and the delighted faces in the crowd, we’ve done what we came to do. The Ice Breakers have officially made a splash in our new home.

As I towel off, someone taps my shoulder. I turn to find Fiona standing there, hands clasped in front of her, an apologetic expression on her face.

“Please don’t be mad,” she says. “I did it for Maple Falls.”

I try to give her a stern look, but no such luck.

“Let me guess—your aunt talked you into it?”

Fiona lets out a breathy laugh. “She woke me up at seven this morning and said we were going to a fundraiser for the town. Next thing I know—we’re here and buckets of water are flying.”

“Uh-huh. And how much did you spend for this experience?”

She waves her hand dismissively. “Not as much as some of the others. But it doesn’t matter. I wanted to contribute.”

“By launching freezing water at me?”

She shrugs, trying to play it cool. But then her eyes move down to my still-soaked shirt, now clinging tightly to my torso.

She cringes and nods. “Well, like I told you—I’m always willing to help a good cause.”

I peel the clinging fabric of my shirt away from my stomach. “And so are the Ice Breakers apparently. Clearly, we’ll do anything to win over this town.”

She grins. “I’d say you’ve already done that. This town adores you guys. Especially the ladies.”

I groan, dragging a hand through my wet hair. “Yeah, I noticed. These shirts were a bigger hit than I expected.”

“So…Mama’s Boy, huh?”

I shake my head, laughing under my breath. “Cute, right? And for the record, I didn’t choose the name.”

“But is it true?” she teases, tilting her head to the side.

I shrug nonchalantly. “I mean, yeah. I do love my mom...”

She bites back a smile. “Well, that’s actually kind of sweet.”

“Still,” I say, squeezing water out of my shirt, “I’d rather be Mama’s Boy than stuck with one of the other options. Princess Sparkles or Cupcake? No thanks.”

She lets out a full, genuine laugh. “Yes. You got the better end of the deal.”

“And thank you for being the one to soak me. I was really hoping it wasn’t going to be some grandmother holding that bucket.”

She snorts. “I’m glad I could help. My aunt wanted to do it at first, but I think she got distracted.”

“By what?”

“Your coach. She thinks he’s sexy. Those were her words, not mine.”

I make a face and pretend to gag. “Coach Hauser? Ugh. That’s going to haunt me.”

She shrugs, laughing again. “I’m just the messenger.”

“Thanks. That mental image will never leave me now.”

A breeze cuts through the air, and I shiver in my wet clothes.

“You should probably get changed,” she says. “You’re freezing.”

“Yeah. This will be my first and last Drench for Defense in September. Or ever.”

She smiles, but there’s a hint of something more serious behind it. “If it’s any consolation, you helped raise a lot of money for Maple Falls today. You guys really did something special.”

I meet her eyes once again. “Yeah…it was worth it.”

At this point, I’ll take any chance I can to spend time with Fiona.