Page 169 of Puck Me Secretly

“At what?”

“Showing you how much you mean.”

“I mean something to you?”

He stared past me for a moment before his eyes returned to my face. “Rory, you mean everything to me. I’ve spent my entire life working toward being a professional hockey player, but none of that matters if you’re not in my life.”

So much emotion coursed through my body, my lips trembled. “I was scared you would leave me.”

“I needed to clear my head. I didn’t want you to see me like that.”

“Like what?”

“I was low, Rory, and I said some shitty things to you at the police station.”

“You told me it was over.”

“I didn’t mean it. I don’t want this to end between us.”

I stepped forward and then his mouth was on mine. His big hands were in my hair and my entire world righted itself again. We spoke between kisses, our lips mashed against each other.

“Max, I was so scared.”

“I know.”

“I’ve thought you hated me.”

“I could never hate you.”

“I’m trying to fix things, so you’d want to give me another chance.”

“I don’t need things fixed to want you in my life.”

“Please tell me you’re not giving up on me.”

He pressed his forehead to mine, his gaze burning me. “I never gave up on you. I gave up on myself.”

“I never gave up on you.”

“All your texts. They kept me going.”

I pulled him tight against me. “Where did you go?”

“I booked into a hotel to lie low.”

My phone buzzed. I stepped back.

Brian: Turn on the TV

Max gave me a questioning glance as I moved to the TV and flipped the channels until I found a sports channel. Max moved to stand beside me. There on the TV was footage of Joseph being led out of the airport in handcuffs.

“Police have taken Joseph Flanynk into custody for questioning at the Saint Paul airport. Although no one has confirmed the charges, we believe it has something to do with allegations made against him in the exclusive interview we have with Lolita Patterson. Stay tuned.”

“What the fuck?” Max breathed.

“Listen, I can explain.”

“What are you doing here?” Mom’s voice sounded shrill from behind us.

---