Page 43 of Breakaway Hearts

“That’s dedication.” I’m still smiling, but I’m also wondering where I land on the whole, ‘can guys and girls be friends?’ because it could explain some things. If they’d gone there before, or she was hoping they’d go there…

“She’s the best. Being here right now, for her…it’s huge.”

I want to ask him where her aversion to hockey players comes from, but I doubt he’d tell me, and I kind of want to figure it out from her. Did she date a player? Did she try to play on a team with too much fragile masculinity? She swore off all athletes, right?

“You’re a lucky guy.” It’s a throwaway comment, but I fucking mean it.

“The redhead she’s with, Becksy says it’s your sister?”

“Tabytha,” I agree. “She’s a freshman and honestly, I’m so much happier with her here than getting drunk at a frat party.”

He chuckles. “Not that I need to worry about Maddie like that, but I’m glad she’s here too.” I get the sense he does worry about her, which is interesting, because other than the crouching she’s doing in the stands tonight, which I assume is to hide from the embarrassment of being at a hockey game, she has been fierce and in control every time I’ve seen her. She has no qualms putting me in my place, and I’m pretty sure if I tried anything, I’d be flat on my face with her knee between my shoulder blades in seconds.

Not that I’d mind.

Before long, we’re back on the ice and the stands have filled, thrumming with the electricity of a home opener. The C weighs heavy on my chest, and – not for the first time since I received it – I really want to call Noah and apologize for all the crap I pulled, especially during freshman year.

We don’t score in the first ten minutes, but neither does the other team, which frustrates them to all hell, so the rest of the period is spent almost exclusively with one of their players in the penalty box, which makes it almost too easy for Colt, Donovan, and I to score before the period is up.

Mostly to tease her, but also because I found myself looking at her as soon as the lamp lit up anyway, I raise my stick and point at Madison, dedicating the goal to her. To the rest of the arena, it probably looks like it’s for Tab, but judging by her scowl, Madison knows.

I have an assist in the second, and another goal in the third, but everyone is more excited that Jason only lets in one goal than the five we score. Because a win is exciting, but a decent goalie says we’re back in business. He’s been practicing with us for weeks, but I feel like I can finally breathe without the crushing pressure of what was gearing up to be a losing season.

The mood in the locker room is loose and celebratory. Donovan has Queen blasting out of his speakers, and even Coach gives the hint of a smile when he congratulates us for starting the season off with a win.

“Morning skate is at eleven tomorrow, so don’t party too hard,” he asks of us. “Good game tonight.”

“Party at Ivy!” Colt calls out as soon as Coach is gone, but the door isn’t even shut, so I’m sure he hears.

“And Tab is on the board,” I warn. It mostly applies to my roommates, but I don’t need to worry about them keeping an eye out for her, it’s the rest of the team.

“The board?” Jason asks.

“I’ll show you when we get there.”

“I’m heading home,” he argues after a glance to the doors, as if he can see – I’m guessing – Madison waiting for him.

“Your roommate’s invited too. The more the merrier. And we all need to thank her for those cookies.”

“Not gonna happen.” He laughs. “And, word to the wise, don’t let Madison know you’ve tried her cookies.”

“Secret family recipe?” I ask, almost hopefully.

“She doesn’t like hockey players. Or athletes in general, I guess.”

“So I’ve heard.” He doesn’t look surprised. “How do you explain yourself?”

“Oh, I’ve gone way down in her esteem since joining the team.”

Again, I want to ask, but he isn’t laughing like I do when one of my siblings is holding a ridiculous grudge. I think he’s genuinely warning me, like it’s a deep-seeded thing rooted in something that warrants her ire. But he doesn’t volunteer, so I don’t ask.

“She still talks to you. And makes you cookies.”

I’m teasing, but I’m also not, because every rule has an exception, and if there’s one, why can’t there be two?

Jason is no longer smiling. He’s not glaring at me, but he is fucking serious.

“I know you’ve probably told the guys that you’ll kill them if they hurt your sister, and I get it, she’s team family now, but I’m not just saying it. You hurt Maddie, and I will fucking end you.”