Page 5 of The Cupcake Cottage

And that would impact the team. Nobody wanted to watch a home-wrecker—which the press seemed to think he was—earn big bucks on the ice.

Louis sighed when Maverick remained quiet. He’d known Louis for a long time, having skated under him during his rookie year in the NHL back in Toronto. The man knew him, his mom, and what he stood for. He was like family, and he wouldn’t push something that shouldn’t be pushed, but he was looking like a man debating pushing something. Something important.

“Miranda wants you to talk to PR.”

It must be worse than he thought if the team’s owner wanted him to go to the publicity team. Did that mean he was hurting ticket sales, sponsorship opportunities, and investor confidence, and that he needed to do something sweet in public such as save some puppies from burning buildings? Because if it was as bad as he feared, then by association alone, he was impacting the rookies and their ability to strike deals as well.

That was pretty uncool.

All because he’d stepped in to help someone.

“Talk about what?” he asked, hoping for a hint so he didn’t go into the meeting blind.

“Just to work on your image and such. You up for that?”

“Yes, sir.”

The so-called twins were supposed to be an amazing public relations duo from New York, but they didn’t know Texas, and they didn’t know the NHL. They’d have him wearing pink and knitting baby booties to rebuild his reputation if given the chance. Not command him to immediately rescue some golden retriever puppies.

However, if it took the worried tone out of his mother’s voice whenever she called after hearing yet another fabricated news story about him, he’d do it.

“Whatever it takes,” Maverick said, hoping he wouldn’t regret his words.

“Are you willing to share your side of the story from Lafayette?”

“You know I can’t. Not without hurting someone.”

“Reanna seems okay with you suffering damage.”

Yeah, she did. But that was understandable, as it was dangerous for her to expose her side of the story: the truth.

“I made a promise.”

“How’s your mother handling all of this?”

“Leave her out of this,” Maverick warned. He hated how performing a series of good deeds was impacting his mom’s ability to hold her head up high in Sweetheart Creek. He often lay awake at night, trying to rebuild the past or find a new way through the mess with Reanna that didn’t lead to his negative new image. So far, he hadn’t found one. Not one that would have also kept Reanna safe.

The two of them were barely even friends. That was the tough part.

Louis sighed and lifted his hands to show he was backing off. “Fine. Have a shower and go talk to the twins. They’ll be waiting for you.”

“I’ll do whatever it takes, Lou. I promise you that. I’ll even wear pink booties if it helps.” Louis gave him a pained look of confusion. “I’ll do anything—unless it involves me getting married or something.” He smiled to show he was joking and trying to lift the heavy mood.

Louis didn’t laugh.

Maverick stared at Louis, waiting for the man’s somber expression to crack.

“Lou…man… I was joking. You know the only commitment I have time for is hockey.” He’d learned that four years ago with Janie. Maintaining a relationship was nearly impossible when he was deep into a season. Coach had to be pulling his leg with that meaningful look of his. “Nobody’ll believe I’m ready for that kind of business. I don’t even have a girlfriend.”

“Then you’d better come up with a stronger idea for mending your image, because according to what I’ve heard from the twins, it’s that or taking on a princess mascot.”

CHAPTER 2

“Istill can’t believe you didn’t get fired for sass-talking the publicity team. You must have someone helping you on the inside.”

Daisy-Mae turned toward the deep voice, knowing without looking that it was Maverick, and that his words were directed at her and that he was referencing the outburst she’d had at work almost two weeks ago.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence!” she said.

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