Hold Me Forever: a feel-good romance (The Maxwell Brothers)

Meetings with management were not one of my favorite things, but I put on my most amicable smile as I sat across from John Daniels, our general manager. He got up, pacing his huge-ass office, not looking at me, just talking, as if he spoke to himself. I’d been fazed the first time he did this but then got used to it.

‘I’m happy to say that the board is pleased with your volunteering efforts, and our sponsors too. You’re taking it seriously. Actually, from what we’ve heard, you’re going above and beyond what was asked. That’s always good.’

‘I like volunteering,’ I said honestly. “I like the kids and enjoy teaching them the game. They’re quick learners.”

He straightened up, looking me in the eye. It was maybe the third time he’d ever done that. The last time was when he told me I was benched for the foreseeable future.

‘The board and I discussed this, and we’ve also consulted with your physical therapist. He said you still need a couple of weeks to get back in shape. The shoulder’s good, but your skating needs some practice to get back your reflexes, though that shouldn’t be a problem. After that, we’ll put you back on the ice. Obviously, Jett is still going to be the main goalie until we’re sure you’re in top shape.’

Holy shit, is he serious?

I rose to my feet. My heart slammed against my rib cage, and adrenaline pulsed through my veins. Although I was disappointed that I wasn’t the main goalie, it was fair to Jett since he already had a few games behind him, and he was in better shape than I was. But it was a start. I used to be the best goalie in the league before all this, but I’d have to earn that title back.

‘Tyler, it’s imperative that you keep pleasing the sponsors, the press. Everyone needs to see your commitment to the team.’

‘I never gave anyone any reason to doubt that.’

He sighed. ‘We’ve been through this before. As a public person, everything you do is being watched, scrutinized, judged.”

‘Let’s not go through this again,’ I said, my voice hard.

‘We’re not. I was just reminding you.’

‘Is this a probationary thing?’ I questioned, wanting him to put all the cards on the table. The man was so reserved. It pissed me off. He always minced his words, and then when you least expected it, he’d pull the rug from under you. It was his team, obviously, so he could do whatever he wanted. But to him, this was a business; to me, it was about the game.

‘No it’s not. I want 100 percent from you. But if things escalate again outside of the ice rink, anything is possible, even a trade.’

I blinked, narrowing my eyes, ‘I’m your best goalie. Why would you let me go?’

‘I just explained that to you.’

Fuck him, I didn’t want to be traded. The Chicago Blades had been my team for eight years. My family was here in Chicago. I wasn’t going to go anywhere. I only had two more years on the ice max, and I planned to spend them with my team.

‘Thanks for the warning,’ I said. The ball was in my court to make this happen. If I fucked up it was on me.

“And I trust you heeded my advice about Miss Kendra?”

“No. And that’s 100 percent my business. If you’re gonna warn me—”

“That was just advice, not a warning. Mixing business and pleasure is never a good idea.”

“I’ve given the Blades everything I’ve got for eight years. My personal life is my own.” As was every other players’—but he didn’t get into their shit.

“Fair enough. I trust you know what you’re doing. Just make sure your head is in the game, Maxwell.”

“I will.”

Even though I was pissed off at Daniels, I was in a good mood when I came out of the club. I felt on top of the world. I was going to get back on the ice faster than I’d expected. My shoulder was still giving me a few aches and pains, but I knew I’d bring it just where I needed it to be in a few weeks, and then the game was on.

I called my brother Travis right away. I wanted to celebrate with my family, and I knew he had the most time right now.

‘Hey, man, what’s up?’ he said.

‘They’re putting me back on the ice.’

‘What? That’s fantastic news.”

“I want to take everyone out for drinks tomorrow.’

“Tomorrow? Why not tonight?” Travis asked. Like I said, the man was bored.

“I’ve got plans already.”

“So cancel them, and let’s hit the town.”

“I’ve got plans with Kendra.”

He whistled. “Damn.”

“So tell everyone that Operation Coddling Tyler is over.”

“That was never the name of the operation.”

I chuckled. “Whatever it is, it’s not necessary anymore.”

“Roger that. Have fun.”

“I will.”

I hadn’t actually made plans with Kendra yet, but that was just a technicality. This was one of the best things to happen to me, and I wanted to celebrate it with her.

I texted her right away.

Tyler: Hey, what are you doing?

Kendra: Still at the office, trying to finish a schedule. Feels a bit like putting together a puzzle that’s beyond my age limit, and I can’t make all the pieces fit together.

I decided to surprise her.

Once I arrived at the office building, I found the front door open and went straight inside. I was expecting to find Kendra with her sister or on her own. Instead, there was a guy in there.

‘Thank you so much, Alex,’ she said. “I’ll sign everything for you, and you can take it right back.”

He was carrying a backpack. He was probably a bike messenger. His eyes were fixed on Kendra while she signed some papers. He was obviously checking her out, and I didn’t like it one bit.

‘Kendra, I’m here,’ I said. She looked up at me, and the corners of her mouth instantly lifted.

‘Tyler, hey!’

‘Holy shit,’ the guy exclaimed. ‘You’re Tyler Maxwell. Man, I’m such a fan of the Blades. I hope you get back on the ice soon. You’re the best goalie they’ve got. How’s your shoulder?’

‘Healing,’ I said.

‘Can I get your autograph? I have a pen. Damn, I don’t have paper!’

‘Here, I have one for you,’ Kendra said, taking a sheet from the printer.

‘Can you autograph this for me, man? My name’s Alex.’

I quickly signed my name for the overecstatic Alex, eager to get him out.

‘Kendra, you didn’t tell me you knew this guy.’

‘I’m not at liberty to talk about my clients,’ she said.

Client. I wasn’t just a fucking client, and I wanted this guy to know it. I stepped closer to Kendra, putting an arm around her waist. I felt her tense. Didn’t she want us to go public? Then I tilted my head to take a closer look at her. Her eyes were wide in surprise. Okay, surprise was good.

The guy’s mouth hung open when he looked at the autograph, and then his eyes rested on my arm. Yeah, I was damn possessive, but I wanted him to get the message. And he did.

‘Kendra, thanks for being so quick. And thank you too, man, for the autograph. I’ll be going now.’

He secured his backpack, folding the sheet of paper and putting it in his pocket before leaving, closing the door behind him.

The second we were alone, Kendra looked up at me.

A smile was tugging at the corners of her mouth. ‘Mr. Superstar Goalie, what’s with this?’ She tapped the fingers I had on her waist.

‘He was checking you out.’

She cocked her brow. ‘Um, well, he’s asked me out a few times.’

I jerked my head back. ‘You went out with him?’

‘No, he asked me. I didn’t say yes.’

‘Woman, you want to drive me crazy?’ I tightened my grip on her waist, bringing her flush against my chest.

‘Me telling you a random guy asked me out like a year ago drives you crazy?’

‘Fuck yes. Drove me crazy just seeing him looking at you.’

Her lips parted. ‘Wow. How can you be jealous of anyone?’

I hoisted her up on her desk, parting her legs wide and standing between them. ‘I don’t know.’

I touched her face, stretching my fingers on her jaw and cheek, fixing her with my gaze. ‘Any time I think about a guy even looking at you, I want to make it clear to everyone that you’re off-limits.’

‘And why is that?’ she whispered.

‘Because you’re mine, Kendra. Your kisses are mine. Everything is mine.’

“Tyler…”

“I want you so damn bad. But that’s not why I came here.”

Clearing her throat, she flashed me a smile, shimmying farther back on her desk. “Let it be noted that I wouldn’t give in. I mean, I know it looked like that, but I’m tough, and I can ignore the sexiness you’re exuding.”

“Is that a challenge?” I wiggled my eyebrows.

Her cheeks flushed. “Why don’t you tell me how it went with management?”

“They’re putting me back on the ice in a few weeks.”

She gasped. “That’s amazing. I’m so happy for you.”

“And I want to celebrate tonight with you.”

Her face exploded in a huge smile. “You’re looking at me like you want to devour me.”

“That’s exactly what I want.”

“One kiss, and then we’re out of here.” She grinned, pulling me closer to her.

“I’m gonna try real hard to make that happen.”

I kissed her hard, wanting to leave a mark of sorts on her. I needed her with an intensity that was new to me, one I’d only felt before when I was on the ice. I didn’t want to fight it. I wanted to claim her in every way possible.