Page 52 of He Has Charm (Boston Brawlers Hockey)
Sixteen
Harper
The night is cool but not freezing, so we walk to the Garden along the brick sidewalks through Beacon Hill down to Cambridge Street and we can see the arena from here. I’m looking forward to having Katy for company at the game. I’m also terrified because the last thing I want her to know is that I’m attracted to her brother, just like all the other women. Only worse, I’m starting to have feelings for the man who doesn’t do feelings or that kind of relationship with women.
Cripes, how ridiculous am I? Don’t I have enough trouble on my plate with my family’s debt hanging over my head? He’s my meal ticket, not my meal. I can’t eat him. No cake and eating said cake. That’s not how it works in life.
Besides, he’s a player and wouldn’t taste too good after a while. Or more like he’d chew me up and spit me out and move onto the next ready and willing woman. And I’d be left—
“Did Maddox tell you I’m pregnant?” Katy breaks into my thoughts with a face-slapping question.
“What? No. Congratulations.” She’s beaming. “You seem very happy.”
“I shouldn’t be but I am,” she says, and that strikes me as odd. I search my memory for any reason that might be, but I come up empty. They have no financial problems for sure because Maddox would take care of it if they did.
“Why not?”
“Long story. Do you want a family someday?” she asks, and I’m uncomfortable, but her sincere eyes and open expression remind me so much of her brother that I automatically answer her.
“Yes, with the emphasis on someday. I’m pretty busy with my career right now and I am lacking the main ingredient—a baby daddy.”
“Oh yeah, the right guy is important,” she nods.
“I’m sorry I suggested we walk. If I’d known you were—”
“No, are you kidding? We Knights are a hardy bunch.” Her smile falters. “Except—never mind.” I have no idea what she’s talking about, but my spine tingles that it’s something not good and something maybe I should know. We cross the street and when she turns to follow the hordes of fans toward the main entrance of the Garden, I take her arm to show her the way to the back entrance for players, media, and friends and family ticket holders. That would be us. The idea sends a tingle through me though it shouldn’t. I get the special tickets as an agent all the time for games.
But this is different because it feels like I’m more this time. Shit.Reality check, Harper, you’re still just his agent.It doesn’t matter that he said we’re more. That was just his hormones talking.
We get inside and take our seats. The Brawlers are out on the ice warming up. We’re six rows back and to the left of the team’s bench and my eyes zone in on Maddox.
“This is exciting,” Katy says. “Watching my big brother play hockey never gets old.” Her grin stretches ear to ear and I see the family resemblance. But where Maddox is wildly handsome with dark hair and those bone-melting blue eyes fringed in dark lashes, Katy is adorable with lighter hair and eyes.
“You two seem close,” I say, thinking of my younger brother and wondering, with the nine years separating us, if we’ll grow even closer as he becomes an adult.
“Our whole family is close. Mom, our younger sister, Laurel, Maddox and I leaned on each other and strengthened our already tight bonds when Dad died.” Sadness shadows her eyes for a blink, but then her attention snaps back to the ice as a puck hits the boards nearby. We look up to see Maddox standing at the glass, waving an arm.
“I think your brother is trying to get your attention.”
“My attention? No, I think it’s your attention he wants.” Fat chance. But I don’t argue, just wave back. Luckily only half the crowd has taken their seats. I’m going to have to somehow dispel Katy’s notion that Maddox has any interest in me. No need for her to get the wrong idea.
“So tell me about you and Maddox,” she says. I cough for no reason except shock and to stall to come up with an answer.
“Nothing to tell. Agent-client.” I shrug.
“You seem to get along well,” she says with a smirk, “cooking together and all.”
“Of course we get along. Who wouldn’t get along with Maddox? He’s pretty easygoing and fun. Besides, it’s my job to get along with clients.”
Her face looks like I’ve burst her bubble, but she bounces back. “Sure. Only I don’t think I’ve ever seen him get along quite so well with a woman he wasn’t related to. That’s all I’m saying.”
I knit my brows, but since she didn’t ask a question I’m not saying a word. Not that I’d know what to say to that. She’s his sister, but as far as I know she doesn’t see him out with women, so she might not be an authority on the subject.
The game finally starts and Maddox takes the ice. Coach promoted him to the first line. My chest bubbles up with pride.
“He must be so thrilled that he worked his way up to the first line,” I say out loud.
“About time the coach smartened up. I’ve been yelling at the television for two weeks waiting for this,” Katy says, and I laugh.
