Novels by NightOwl

Hex's POVAirports had a rhythm of their own.It was chaotic, yet familiar as it was something that came with the job.The moment I stepped through the private entrance designated for the team, the noise grew louder."There he is!""Mercer!"A wave of fans surged forward before security quickly stepped in, forming a barrier between us.I couldn't help but smile as I tightened my grip around the handle of my suitcase then raised a hand, waving at the crowd.Several people screamed louder as phones lifted into the air.Someone tossed a team jersey toward me, hoping I would sign it before boarding which I did. A little boy, no older than eight, stood on his father's shoulders, proudly wearing my number across his tiny chest.I pointed at him in acknowledgement and that instant, his face lit up. Moments like that reminded me why I played.I wasn't playing for fame or mo

Maxine's POVFor a few seconds after Davian's phone interrupted whatever almost happened between us, neither of us said anything.He looked down at the screen, a flicker of annoyance crossing his face."I'm sorry," he murmured, still frowning at the caller ID before silencing it without answering.Stepping out of the car, he walked around and helped me out and together, we made our way into the restaurant. Our meals arrived a moment later.The waiter carefully set a perfectly grilled filet in front of Davian before placing my herb-crusted salmon beside me.The aroma alone made my stomach growl."I swear they put something addictive in their mashed potatoes," Davian said as he picked up his fork."You've memorized the menu?""Nah, only the potatoes,” he replied and I laughed softly. He was such a cutie. He cut into his steak before looking at me again."So..." He started and

Maxine's POV“How do I look?” I asked, smoothing my palms over the emerald-green fabric hugging every curve of my body.Adeline looked up from the laptop on her thighs and the moment her eyes landed on me, her mouth dropped open.Then she slowly pushed her glasses down the bridge of her nose before dramatically placing them back into position.“Oh my God.”“What?” I laughed. “You look smoking hot,” she shrieked, tossing her laptop onto the couch without a second thought. Elated, she sprang to her feet and circled me like I was some expensive masterpiece hanging in an art gallery. “Davian's not going to take his eyes off you all through the night.”Heat climbed into my cheeks that instant. “You're exaggerating.”“I am absolutely not.” She pointed an accusing finger at me. “You have spent the last three years hiding behind oversized hoodies, ponytails, and doctor's coats. Tonight?” She whistled. “Tonight you remembered you're a woman.”“I've always been a woman.” I snorted, rolling m

Hex's POVMy apartment was unusually quiet.For the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn't replaying the look on Davian's face when Reese announced my transfer had been canceled.Well, I was trying not to.I sprawled across my couch with a hockey game playing on the television, though I hadn't paid attention to a single minute of it. The commentators' voices blended into meaningless background noise while my mind insisted on wandering somewhere else.It was her, always her.Three years had passed, yet somehow she still occupied every empty corner of my mind.The sharp knock on my door barely registered before it swung open."You're lucky I know your passcode," Fletcher said as he walked in.He wasn't alone.Sasha, his girlfriend followed behind him carrying a paper bag with the logo of a local bakery. She flashed me a smile the moment she saw me."Still alive, I see,” She chuckled. "Barely,” I replied. I got up long enough to greet them before dropping back onto the couch.

Maxine's POVThe washing machine hummed steadily in the laundry room. The rhythmic swish of water was soothing enough to drown out the noise in my head.I stood over the basket of clean clothes, matching tiny socks that somehow disappeared and reappeared with every load. Creed's dinosaur pajamas lay folded neatly beside one of his superhero T-shirts. Behind me, I heard the familiar tap-tap of fingers against a screen."You've been awfully quiet," I said without turning around. "What are you up to?"No answer came immediately. Instead, I heard a snort followed by a barely restrained laugh.Curiosity got the better of me so I glanced over my shoulder.Adeline stood against the doorway in an oversized sweatshirt, completely engrossed in her iPad."What?" I asked. Grinning mischievously, she said, "You need to see this.""I already know that smile. Whatever it is, I'm not interested."

Maxine’s POVThe moment I stepped back into my office, the tension I had been carrying all morning settled heavily into my shoulders.I walked straight to the small fridge tucked beside my desk, pulling it open and grabbing a bottle of water. The cool air brushed against my face for a second before I shut it, twisting the cap open as I moved toward my chair.I didn’t even realize how thirsty I was until the water hit my throat.I drank half the bottle in one go, exhaling softly as I sank into my seat.“Get it together,” I muttered under my breath.Everything was piling up, and I could feel the cracks forming no matter how hard I tried to hold myself together.I needed something normal, something that didn’t feel like my life was hanging by a thread.Without thinking too much, I picked up my phone and dialed Adeline.The video call rang briefly before her face filled the screen.“Final