Page 131 of The Maxwell Brothers

Was his voice even sexier, or was I already lost somewhere between Lustville and Sexy Town?

“I’m going to go to the locker room, put on my skates, and give the kids a pep talk,” he added. “Are you going to be here when I return?”

“No, all the kids are here now, so I’m gonna go.” They’d been filtering in as we’d been talking, and a few were already down on the ice.

He winked at me before turning around and going into the locker room.

The door was ajar when I made my way out, but I didn’t risk a glance back inside. The last thing I needed on my mind was the image of Tyler Maxwell giving the kids a pep talk. It might just cause heart flutters—again.

CHAPTER 5

KENDRA

Later that day,once I arrived at the office and checked my calendar, I dialed my boss. Henrik almost always worked from home. I put him on speakerphone. My sister wasn’t here, so I wasn’t concerned with bothering her.

After I told him about Tyler’s offer, Henrik scoffed. “The guy mustreallywant to get back in management’s good graces.”

I frowned, not liking the implication. “That’s not why he’s doing it. He seems like a generous person.”

“I’ve met guys like him. Everything they do is planned.”

“He hasn’t asked me to report this to his management or anything. It doesn’t matter anyway, right?”

“No it doesn’t. You have the green light from me, but can you fit it into your schedule?”

I grimaced. “I’ll find the time for it.”

“Okay, I see you’re on top of everything.”

“Yes, yes I am. I’ll put everything in motion.”

After hanging up, I immediately texted Tyler.

Kendra: Hey, superstar goalie. I spoke to my boss, and he says no problem. When can the kids come on Thursday?

Tyler: You tell me. I’m flexible.

Hmmmm, just how flexible are you, Mr. Goalie?

Oh my God, I have to get these thoughts out of my system.

I tapped my pen against the table, trying to figure out what the best way was. Usually I’d talk my sister’s ear off, but she’d left early to practice her favorite sport: shopping. I’d never gotten the shopping bug since we’d been so utterly broke growing up, even pinching pennies for food. But Emma learned to make the best of thrift stores when she was twelve. She had a gift for that sort of thing.

I texted her on the off chance she might see it.

Kendra: Can I call you? I need to SPILL IT.

That was our code whenever we needed girl talk.

Emma: I’m on the train with bad reception.

Kendra: Call me when it gets better.

Emma: Nooooooooo. I need to know now.

I chuckled at my sister’s enthusiasm. She was my best friend. As kids, we only had each other, and I believed that made our bond stronger.

Kendra: I’m having all sorts of sexy thoughts about Tyler Maxwell, and I have no clue how to get them out of my system.