Chapter 3

Hex’s POV

The moment the door opened and I saw her, I forgot how to breathe.

It had been three years but somehow she looked exactly the same and completely different all at once and that hit me harder than any check I had taken on the ice.

She was still beautiful.

No, beautiful didn’t even cover it.

Maxine had always been the kind of girl people noticed, but she wasn’t loud about it. 

The sharpness of her cheekbones was more defined now, like life had carved discipline into her. Her soft lips were pressed into a firm line, like smiling wasn’t something she allowed herself to do anymore.

And her eyes which used to light up when she saw me were now guarded and professional like I was just another patient.

That stung more than the cut on my forehead but I didn’t let it show.

Years of training had taught me how to take a hit and keep moving, and how to mask pain like it didn’t exist. 

She didn’t see me at first but the instant the recognition hit, everything in her froze because there was no way I was the only one wrecked by this.

The trainer kept talking, explaining how I got injured, but I barely heard a word he said. My focus was locked on her, taking in every detail and subtle change.

She actually did it.

Back then, when we were teenagers with too many dreams and not enough time, she used to talk about becoming a doctor like it was the only thing that mattered.

“I’m going to be the best,” she would say, grinning like the world was already hers. “You’ll see.”

And I would laugh, pulling her closer. “And I'm always going to be your patient.”

The thought made my lips curve into a smile but it didn’t last long. 

Pride twisted in my chest but regret followed right after it because I wasn’t there to see it happen.

Swallowing hard, I forced my thoughts back under control.

The trainer asked her if she was okay, and I almost smirked because yeah, she didn’t look okay, but Maxine recovered quickly, brushing it off like nothing happened and stepping into her role like she was born for it.

“Dr. Maxine Vaughan.”

The name hit me like a punch I didn’t see coming.

My Max was now a doctor. 

She went through the routine questions, checking for concussion. Her tone was calm and precise, like she hadn’t once memorized the sound of my laugh or the way I liked my coffee or the exact spot on my neck that made me lose my mind.

She was treating me like a stranger and I hated it. 

Every movement of hers was controlled and deliberate. Her hands didn’t shake and her voice didn’t waver.

If I didn’t know her, I would have believed she was completely unaffected but I did know her and I could see the cracks.

She wasn’t as unaffected as she wanted me to think.

When she told me about the stitches, I nodded, keeping my hands at my sides so she could work with ease. 

I didn’t trust myself to move and when she stepped between my knees, which was a mistake for both of us, the space between us vanished, and suddenly I could feel her again. 

Not physically really, but it was enough to bring everything rushing back.

The way she used to fit against me, the way she used to lean into my touch and the way she used to say my name like it meant something.

Clenching my jaw, I forced myself to stay still as she started stitching me up. I barely felt the needle, but that wasn’t what had me on edge, it was her.

Being this close to her and not touching her felt wrong in a way I couldn’t explain.

So I watched her instead, memorising her all over again and when she finished and stepped away, something in me didn’t like the distance.

She updated my file then proceeded to prescribe my medication while maintaining her distance, like we hadn’t once been everything to each other.

When Coach Travis came in, I allowed them to argue without interfering, even though I knew I could push to play if I wanted to.

But I didn’t because for the first time in a long time, hockey wasn’t the most important thing in the room, she was.

When Travis finally left, she told me to lie down for further examination but I didn’t move because if I did, this phase would pass by quickly and she would leave and I wasn’t ready for that.

“Three years, huh… I thought I’m not going to see you ever again.”

Her reaction was immediate though it was subtle. Her posture stiffened while her expression tightened just enough for me to catch it.

“I’m busy,” she said quickly, avoiding my eyes.

A humorless smile tugged at my lips at her response. 

She had always been good at pretending.

“Let’s talk when you’re less busy,” I said, keeping my tone light even though my chest felt anything but.

She didn’t respond, just continued with the assessment like I hadn’t said anything to her and like I didn’t matter and that pissed me off more than I expected.

I opened my mouth to say more, but the door creaked open before I could.

Dr. Reese walked in, giving her a quick update about needing her at the arena during the game in an hour.

She nodded and was all business again.

As soon as he left, I reached out, my hand wrapping around her arm before I could stop myself.

She froze then pulled away like I burned her.

“If you need anything, tell the nurse,” she said, her voice clipped and controlled then she turned to leave.

No, I'm not going to let this happen. 

I moved faster than I should have, ignoring the dull throb in my head as I got to the door before she could.

Slamming it shut, I placed my back against it. 

“What the hell are you doing?” she snapped, her anger sharp, but controlled.

“Max, please,” I said, turning to face her fully now. “I can explain, okay? I mean… let’s talk things out.”

Her eyes flashed with anger, I couldn't miss that. 

“Out of my way, I don’t have anything to say to you.” She snapped and that hit harder than it should have.

“Max…”

“If you touch me again,” she cut in, her voice dropping into a dangerous and deadly serious one, “I’m going to hit the emergency button and security will be right here.”

I believed every word she said because this wasn’t the girl I used to know. This was someone who had built walls I didn’t know how to break anymore.

Slowly, I stepped aside then opened the door and without hesitation, she walked out.