Page 218 of The Maxwell Brothers

Coach gave us the shit we deserved, but I’d expected that. A few minutes later, I followed my teammates out on the ice, but I didn't feel the rush of adrenaline that skating to the net usually gave me. My mind was spinning. I was angry at everything that took place tonight. I loved hockey, but for the first time in my career, I couldn't wait for the game to be over. I wanted to be with my woman.

But first I had to defend her honor.

Adrian better watch the fuck out.

CHAPTER 30

KENDRA

Declanand I hustled back to the suite. Biting my lip, I lowered myself onto my seat, gripping the edge of it. I was looking at the ice, but I wasn't really seeing the game. I was a bit lost in my mind.

My whole body was tense. Tyler was right, and I just realized a very important thing. Before meeting him, I would feel insecure right now, possibly even trying to run away, fearing that if Tyler had to choose between me and hockey, he’d choose the latter.

I had no idea when that fear was formed. Maybe when we lost Dad, or when Mom’s second boyfriend bailed after her diagnosis. It was how I protected myself.

But over the past few months, loving Tyler changed something inside me. It also changed the way I looked at everything. I was proud of our love, and I believed in us, and I couldn't wait for the game to end to tell him.

"Oh shit. This isn’t going well," Travis exclaimed as two players from the opposing team skated toward Tyler with the puck between them.

I swear to God, everyone around me was holding their breath, myself included.

"Fuck, no, no, no," Declan exclaimed, and then the whole stand booed. The Seattle Dogs had just scored a goal.

Shit.My hot goalie wasn't in top shape right now.

I fidgeted in my spot, a plan forming in my mind. I didn't want to wait until the end of the game anymore. I turned to the Maxwells, leaning in so they could hear me. The fans were so loud that my ears were ringing. The stands seemed to vibrate along with their chatter.

"Anyone have any ideas how to go the extra mile to show Tyler my support right now without being super over the top?"

"Hell yes. Let me think," Travis said.

"There are always blank pages and markers at the promo table at the entrance doors. They’re for kids mostly," Declan said. "You can make a poster."

"Hey, that's a good idea. How come I didn't come up with it? I'm the one with ideas," Luke said, looking genuinely baffled.

Declan burst out laughing before pointing at him, then at Reese, then at Travis, and finally at me. "Whenever you tell stories about today, make sure you emphasize that I came up with this."

"Oh, you two, give it a rest," Reese said. "I'm going to get a marker and the posters."

"Okay," I said, feeling so enthusiastic that my face exploded in a huge smile.Now,what should I write on it?

Looking at the ice, I watched Tyler move between the pipes like a lion in a cage. The last thing I wanted was for him to lose focus.

Reese returned with the paper and a marker a few short minutes later. I had a blank moment just looking at the paper, unsure what to even write on it. It wouldn't make sense to just write something like "Go get it." The fans could do that. I wanted to write something personal, something I knew he'd like.

With a smile, I decided to keep things simple. I wrote “TYLER” in huge letters on the first row and a comma, and then on the lower one, "I LOVE YOU."

"I like it," Travis shouted. "Sweet and to the point."

I realized he'd been looking over my shoulder, standing between me and Reese. Reese was also looking at me and making no secret of it.

“Should we go too?” Declan asked loudly.

Luke raised a brow. “Dude, let her go. Don’t be a?—”

I didn’t hear the next word, but I had a hunch it was “cockblocker.” I quickly averted my gaze to Reese, whose eyes were so wide that it was obvious I’d heard right.

With a nervous laugh, I got up from my seat. I went all the way down to the first row off the ice, not caring who was looking at me or what they were going to think. I just held the poster up above my head. I turned slightly so the fans could see it, and they all cheered at once, like a chorus, calling Tyler's name.