Page 177 of Breakaway Hearts

“Congratulations. Didn’t doubt you for a second,” Jason adds as the rest of the guys in the locker room woot and cheer for her.

“I’ll be there soon, just had to let you know.”

“When did you apply for that one?” I don’t remember it, but I don’t think Maddie is so nervous she did a second round of submissions without bothering to tell us.

“It wasn’t on the list because they didn’t have any openings I was even remotely qualified for.”

“But one opened up?”

“Or they created it for me?” She looks uncertain. “It’s a new department, spearheaded by a girl I met at Pruitt & Dobbs who jumped ship over their not practicing what they preach.”

“I am so fucking proud of you, Mads. See, you’re already changing the world.” She rolls her eyes, but she’s smiling from ear to ear. “I love you.”

“Love you too.”

She blows me a kiss and hangs up, so I go back to lacing up my skates so I can hit the ice with the guys and catch up with Noah.

We run some drills with Izzie, who’s in heaven playing with the guys, pretending to be grossed out whenever her brother kisses Sav, but her smile betrays her. Liv joins in a little, but she’s having more fun practicing figure skating moves.

“Five minutes,” Madison promises, giving me a kiss over the boards before rushing to the women’s locker room to get changed. You wouldn’t know that was a big deal unless you saw her changing in the stands in the past, so she wouldn’t be cornered in the hallways by a player.

It still makes my blood boil.

“We’ve got a solid team.” Coach skates over after humoring Liv with some lifts that all the guys were very careful not to comment on, other than praising Liv whenever she landed one. Coach may not be graceful, but he benches with us a couple times a week, and his granddaughter is tiny.

“I was just thinking that,” I agree. Our last practice was the best we’ve played all year. We finally found our groove as a team.

“You’ve done a great job with them.”

I look over to see if he’s being sarcastic, since Danny’s beef with me upset the earlier dynamic, and my attacking Trevor and having to sit out three games cost us our standing.

“I thought Callahan was right, that you’d make a good captain, because you’re friends with everyone, and you know how to get the guys to relax and let off steam.”

“How wrong you were,” I point out.

“I was,” he agrees. “You really stepped up. You took initiative in recruiting Hargraves, switching up the pairings, kept the team dinners going, took responsibility…I was very impressed. Still am.”

“Thank you, Coach.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t see it sooner. LA will be lucky to have you.”

He nods before going back to Liv. I had to postpone my meeting with the GM so I could be at Maddie’s hearing, fully prepared if that made him want to drop me, but Gil Halpert commended me for it. He warned me that the ice is not the place to take out grievances on other players, that violence is never the answer, but it’s also important to defend your teammates. It looks like they still want me, so I’m planning to slowly make Madison fall in love with California so she’ll join me when she graduates.

Danny skates by me, holding his sister’s hands, teaching her how to skate by the looks of it.

“Looking good, Baby Redding,” I say and his sister beams.

We’re not best friends who hang out alone together, but we reached an understanding, and I don’t think he hates me anymore.

“Waiting for me?” Madison asks, skating up from behind and sending chills down my spine.

“All my life,” I agree before turning around.

I was picturing an outfit more like Liv’s, or the regular clothes she wore that time with Jason, but Madison’s in full gear, with a very old jersey that is not mine.

“You’re so cheesy.”

“Not cheesy if it’s true,” I argue. “You ready to skate?”

“I was told we were playing.”

“She’s gorgeous and plays hockey. Pucking perfect.”

I lean in and kiss her.

I hope you enjoyed Owen and Madison’s story! Owen was a character I created over a decade ago, with an established family I knew would have raised him to be the walking green flag he is in this book. He is exactly what Madison needed. And he’s the kind of guy I hope is there if ever I find myself in one of those rooms. Hell yes or fuck no.