Page 54 of Breakaway Hearts

“You had his childhood dream on your side. And my help.”

“Sorry to tell you, your boy’s a Wolf now.” She does not like that. At all.

“I should get back to work,” she says when Megan and Hales exit the study room. “But…thank you.” I was expecting an insult, so this is a nice surprise. I try not to smile too much over it. “This will be perfect for my internship and…it’s nice. I like the people.”

“Even me?” I know I’m pushing it, but she smiles even as she rolls her eyes.

“I’ll be sure to come when you have practice.”

She walks over to Megan, and I take the win of watching her go with a smile, before Haylie sidles up beside me.

“So that’s Madison.”

“No idea what you’re talking about.”

“Megan loves her.”

“Megan loves everybody.”

“So if I mention this in the cousin group…”

“They’ll think you’re weird for caring so much about random shelter volunteers.”

“That’s your story?”

“She helped me get her friend on the team. Now we might make it back to the Frozen Four. I’m grateful.”

“Is that what we’re calling it?”

She’s grinning like she’s so smart, and I know exactly what my sisters will say if this ends up in the family chat.

“How about you not mention it, and I don’t send Lucas this really cool article on gluten being the devil?”

“Blackmail is illegal,” Haylie warns. “But sure. I’ll do a little more research before I share my findings.”

“There’s nothing there,” I repeat.

“Then you’re fine.” She smiles. “Are we still good for the game on Friday?”

“Just you and Ava?”

“Is that cool?”

“Totally cool,” I tease her. “Let me know if Lucas wants to come too, I’ll talk to the guys.”

“The science fair is next month, so I’m pretty sure he and his father will be blowing something up in the backyard, but I’ll let you know if that changes.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Madison

This is what I wanted

We win 4-1 on Saturday, but the lighting is fixed, and Tabytha saw more than I wanted her to last time, so we only go out once half the players have cleared.

“My brother’s trying this thing where he waits until the locker room is empty before leaving,” she tells me as an excuse. “And I’m told the goalie⁠—”

“Is the last to leave,” I agree. “And Jay is the type to linger around and talk as long as there’s a willing participant.”