Page 184 of Puck Me Secretly

“Then those assholes can go fuck themselves. Then I’ll finish out my year here with my Dad and we’ll move somewhere better.”

Blue eyes held mine. “You’d do that?”

“In a heartbeat.”

“Why?”

The vulnerable expression on his face broke my heart. It reminded me of his mom, and how she had let him down. Interesting, that Max had needed her to let him play hockey. And now, Max was asking my permission to quit the game. I would not make the same mistake she made. The only thing that mattered was Max’s happiness. “Because I love you and I can’t imagine my life without you in it. And I want you to be happy.”

His smile was wistful. “You make me happy.”

I balanced between being Max’s girlfriend and his GM, but in this moment, I think he needed a GM. “Even if you decide not to play out the rest of the year, we’ll honor your contract.”

“That’s not fair.”

“The Wolves haven’t been fair to you. Baxter, my dad, these fans, the media. You’ve endured enough to warrant your contract being honored.”

“Do you think the Wolves will go all the way this year, if I quit?”

I shrugged. “Probably not.”

His eyes dropped. “I can’t let the team down. Or you. I’ll play out the rest of the year.”

I crossed my arms. “This isn’t about anyone else, Max. This is about you.”

“I’m not an asshole. I don’t want to let anyone down.”

“You don’t have to go out there.”

He winced. “I think I do.”

Worry scratched my heart. “You have my permission to leave the game at any time, without consequence, if something bad happens out there.”

“No, I’m good.” He swallowed. “I think I needed you to give me a choice.”

“What choice was that?”

“I needed to know your feelings weren't based on whether or not I play.”

“It never has been and it never will be.”

He stood up. “Will you cheer for me?”

“I always do.”

He bent down and dropped a hard kiss on my lips. “Thanks.”

I clutched his arm. “Have fun. I want you to love this.”

“Why?”

“Because when you're happy, I’m happy.”

He dropped a second kiss on my lips, this time more lingering. “You will get a big reward for saying that later tonight.”

My stomach whooped in anticipation. “I’m counting on it.”

He nodded, grabbed his helmet, and walked towards the door. I followed behind him to the gate that led onto the ice.

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