Page 173 of Puck Me Secretly

“Please don’t talk like that.”

“Everything that happened this week makes me think of my Dad. I feel like I’m paying for his sins. What if I’m like him?”

“Max, you are nothing like your dad. You are a kind, incredible man.”

His blue gaze, so vulnerable and troubled held mine. “Why do you believe I’m good?”

Emotion choked me, halting my words. “How could I not believe in your goodness? From that first fateful flight, when we thought we were dying, you took care of me. You drove across town in the middle of the night to make sure I got home from my non-existent date. When I was attacked at that Minnesota game you fought off half a dozen men to save me. You came to my defense with Baxter. You’ve encouraged me and believed in me every step of the way. You fought for Lolita and she told me what you did for her, how you supported her and helped her. I’ve listened to how you’ve tried to help your mom. You’re such a good man, Max. Better than I deserve.”

He took a deep breath. “I never want to be like him.”

“You’re nothing like him. You’re your own person. And you make me so proud.”

He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me tight against him. “Rory.”

I snuggled against him, mashing my face against his chest, breathing in his clean scent. “I need you.”

Brian cleared his throat. “Sorry to interrupt but Rory I need you to sign the papers. And I have the other thing too.”

He meant the paperwork, reinstating Max onto the team.

I lifted my gaze to Max’s. “So, do you want to play hockey?”

He blinked. Thinking.

I repeated the question from that first fateful meeting. “The question, number 33, is do you give enough of a fuck to play for this team?”

His face broke into the most beautiful smile. “My name’s Max.”

“Okay, Logan. Do you want to play? Because we have a lot of money with your name on it, if you’re willing.”

“What about the fans?”

“Fuck the fans.”

“And your dad?”

“He’s the one who fought for you from the start.”

“I think we can win.”

“Only if you come back.”

“Will you be my girlfriend still?”

I couldn’t keep the stupid grin off my face. “Yes.”

“What about Baxter?”

“We’ll deal with him.”

“Hell yeah.”

I whooped so loud, the two nurses at the station lifted their head and gave me dirty looks.

We moved back to the waiting room.

“Where’s my mom?”

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