Chapter 1

Maxine’s POV

“Get it together, Max,” I muttered under my breath, pressing my palms against the sink.

The woman staring back at me from the mirror looked composed, professional and strong but it was the opposite underneath. 

My dark hair was pulled into a sleek low bun, not a single strand out of place. My white blouse was crisp and tucked perfectly into a fitted black skirt. 

I wore minimal makeup which was just enough to make me look alive and hide everything else.

Biting the corner of my lip, I exhaled slowly, dragging in a breath that felt too heavy for my lungs.

After three years of living in Oregon, I was back in Las Vegas. If I was told I would come back someday, I would have said never, but here I am. 

My fingers curled slightly against the edge of the sink as his name slipped into my mind like it never left.

Hex Mercer.

Thinking of him alone made my heart constrict against my chest. 

Pressing my lips into a thin line, I straightened abruptly, shaking my head like I could physically dislodge the memories. 

Today wasn’t about him, it wasn’t about the past either, rather it was about my new job.

A few days ago, I finalized the contract signing process as the team physician for the Las Vegas Ace hockey team.

God, if someone had told me years ago that I would land my dream job with my favorite team, I would have laughed in their face. 

But life had a twisted sense of humor, because the same team also came with one complication I wasn’t sure I was ready for.

“Max!”

The sound of my name pulled me out of my spiraling thoughts, and I turned just in time to see a pair of small limbs running toward me.

“Mommy!”

I barely had time to brace myself up before Creed slammed into my legs, his tiny arms wrapping around me like I was his entire world.

That instant, everything inside me softened.

“Hey, baby,” I murmured, dropping to my knees and pulling him into my arms. 

I pressed a kiss to his temple, breathing him in like I needed the reminder. “You’re up early.” I fussed. 

“I wanted to see you before you go,” he said, his voice small but determined.

My heart clenched tightly as I locked eyes with his gray pair. 

God, he looked just like him.

He had the same sharp jawline as his father even at three, same gray eyes and the same stubborn tilt to his chin. 

Sometimes it felt like I was staring at a miniature version of the man I tried so hard to forget.

The only difference between them was, Creed was entirely mine.

“Oh baby, you shouldn't have,” I said softly, brushing my fingers through his curls. “My handsome boy.”

“What did I miss?”

I glanced up to see Adeline leaning against the doorframe. She had her arms crossed on her chest and was watching us with a knowing smirk.

“Are you done having your emotional moment, or do you need a few more minutes?” she teased.

I rolled my eyes, standing up with Creed still clinging to me like a koala. “You’re annoying.”

“And yet, here I am. Still your favorite person.”

“Debatable.” I snorted.  

Adeline pushed off the wall then walked over, her gaze softening as she looked at Creed. “Come here, my favorite human.”

“Hey!” I protested.

She ignored me completely as she scooped Creed out of my arms. He giggled, wrapping his arms around her neck like he had no intention of letting go.

“See?” she said smugly. “He’s my favorite.”

“Traitor,” I muttered, though a small smile tugged at my lips.

Adeline had been my rock through everything. 

She had never for once questioned me even when I had left Vegas only to find out two weeks later that I was pregnant and decided to keep the baby. 

I don’t know what I would have done without her.

“You ready?” she asked, her tone shifting into a more serious one. 

I hesitated for half a second then nodded. 

“I am,” I said finally, even though the words didn’t feel entirely true.

Adeline studied me like she didn’t quite believe me either, but she nodded anyway.

“Good. Because you are not about to be late on your first day looking like a whole boss.”

I grabbed my bag from the counter, slinging it over my shoulder.

“Mommy,” Creed called, reaching out for me again.

I leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his forehead. “Be good for Auntie Addie, okay?”

“I will,” he said, nodding like I had just given him the most important mission in the world.

I smiled, brushing my thumb over his cheek. “I love you.”

“Love you too.”

My chest tightened, but I forced myself to pull away.

“Thank you,” I said quietly to Adeline, meeting her eyes.

She waved me off immediately. “Please leave already. I don't mind spending the whole day with my favorite human.”

“You’re never letting that go, are you?” 

“Absolutely not.”

I huffed a laugh, heading toward the door.

“Max,” she called suddenly.

I paused, glancing back at her. Her expression had shifted again, this time, it was serious and grounding.

“Remember,” she said, her voice firm. “Hex Mercer is just another jock. Don’t let him mess with your emotions.”

“I’m over him,” I replied automatically, my grip tightening on the door handle. 

The words came too easily, too rehearsed and too much like a lie.

Adeline didn’t say anything, but the look she gave me said everything.

I didn’t wait for her to call me out, I hurried out.

***

The drive to the arena felt longer than it should have.

Every street felt familiar and every corner held memories I didn’t ask for. It was like the city was whispering reminders of everything I tried to leave behind.

My jaw tightened as the memories hit. 

A bitter taste filled my mouth as I pulled into the staff parking lot. I killed the engine only to sink back into my chair. 

When the job offer came, I almost turned it down because he was on the team but Adeline had talked me out of it.

“You’re not throwing away your future because of a man,” she had said.

She was right like always but still I wasn’t ready to face him. 

Dragging in a deep breath, I grabbed my bag from the passenger seat, “I don't have a choice anymore.” 

The air in the CyroDome arena was dry and chilling, smelling faintly of metal and ice. 

“Dr. Maxine Vaughan?”

I looked up immediately only to see a man in his late forties approaching me with an easy smile and an extended hand.

“Dr. Reese Osborne,” he introduced himself. “Head of medical staff.”

“Nice to meet you, sir.” I replied with a bright smile plastered on my face as I took his hand. 

“Call me Reese,” he said immediately. “We’re not that formal around here.”

I nodded, then said, “Then you can call me Max.”

“Perfect.” He gestured for me to follow him. “Let’s get you settled in.”

The arena was buzzing with energy even though it wasn’t game night. 

Staff moved around with purpose while players occasionally passed through the halls, laughter and conversation echoing off the walls.

I felt out of place like I didn’t quite belong yet but I would, I had to.

Reese walked me through everything in the medical wing. He took his time to enlighten me about the equipment, protocols, and schedules. 

His voice was steady but my mind kept drifting in and out. 

Every time I heard footsteps, my heart jumped and every time I turned a corner, I half expected to see him.

It was exhausting.

“And this is where we handle most of the immediate injuries,” Reese was saying as we stepped into another hallway. 

“You’ll get used to the pace quickly. The team boasts of good talents but they are very stubborn.”

“I have noticed,” I replied, huffing out a small laugh. 

Before he could respond, his phone rang and he pulled it out, frowning slightly. 

“Excuse me.”

I nodded, taking a step back as he answered.

“Yes?” he said, his tone shifting to a business tone. “Actually, that works out perfectly.”

The moment he ended the call, he turned to me.

“Looks like you’re jumping right in,” he said. “We’ve got a player in exam room four. Minor injury, but they need someone to take a look.”

“This morning?”

“The players are going to keep you busy. Are you ready for your first assignment?” He asked. 

Nodding, I said, “Of course.”

“Good,” he said. “I’ll join you in a bit.”

And just like that, I was on my own.

My heels clicked softly against the floor as I made my way down the hall, each step feeling heavier than the last.

When I reached the door of Exam room four, I paused briefly before pushing it open.

I stepped inside then closed the door behind me.

“Hi, I’m Dr. Max…”

My words cut off as I moved toward the sink, reaching for the sanitizer out of habit.

The moment I raised my head, my world stopped because sitting right there on the examination table was no other person than Hex Mercer holding a bloody towel against his forehead.