Chapter 6

Maxine’s POV

Dinner should have been a distraction, a clean break from everything that had been clawing at my sanity for the past two weeks.

But yet, even as I sat across from Davian in one of the most expensive restaurants in Las Vegas, with soft golden lights hanging above us and the low hum of quiet conversations filling the air, all I could think about was him and I hated it.

I hated that no matter how hard I tried to push him out of my head, he found his way back in like he had unfinished business with my thoughts.

“Maxine?”

I blinked, my gaze snapping back to Davian.

He had been watching me closely but not in a creepy way though. He was just observant like he had been studying me for a while now.

“Hmm?” I murmured, forcing a small smile.

“You’ve been quiet,” he said, leaning back slightly in his chair. “Is everything alright?”

“Yes,” I said quickly.

I picked up my glass, taking a sip of water like it would give me time to gather myself.

“I’m just tired,” I added another lie.

He didn’t look convinced.

Davian wasn’t stupid.

“You sure?” he pressed gently and I nodded again, setting the glass down carefully. 

“Yeah. The first few weeks on the job have been intense.” This part wasn’t a lie but it was not the whole truth either. 

He studied me for another second, then nodded slowly, like he was deciding whether to push further.

And for a moment, I braced myself up for it but he didn’t. Instead, he picked up his fork again, cutting into his food like he hadn’t been trying to read me.

And oddly enough that relieved me because I didn’t have the energy to explain.

Still, the silence that followed wasn’t uncomfortable. It wasn’t heavy or suffocating like it always felt with Hex, it was easy as Davian filled it effortlessly.

He asked about my work, about how I was settling in, and about Oregon.

He actually listened to me. He was not just waiting for his turn to speak.

And when he talked, it wasn’t about himself in that arrogant, self-absorbed way most guys like him tended to.

“I heard you handled Mercer pretty well earlier,” he said at some point, his lips curving slightly.

My grip on my fork tightened as I forced a neutral expression. “He had a minor injury, nothing complicated.”

Davian tilted his head slightly, watching me again.

“You two know each other?” he asked.

There it was, the question I had been hoping to avoid.

For a split second, I considered denying it but something about the way he asked made it hard to do that so I nodded.

“Yes.”

His brows lifted slightly, but he didn’t look surprised.

“Guess things didn’t go well,” he said with a small shrug and strangely, that made it easier to breathe.

“Yeah,” I admitted quietly.

He didn’t ask what happened or push for details.

He just accepted it and moved on.

“You’ll figure it out,” he said simply.

I almost laughed at that.

Figure it out?

There was nothing to figure out.

What Hex and I had was over. It was left behind in a version of me that didn’t exist anymore.

The rest of dinner passed in a blur not because it was boring or Davian wasn’t trying but because my mind refused to stay in one place.

Every time I tried to focus on the conversation, on his voice and on the way he smiled or the way he carried himself with that quiet confidence, my thoughts drifted back to Hex.

It was exhausting and mentally draining.

By the time we were done, I felt more tired than I had all day.

We stepped out of the restaurant, the cool night air brushing against my skin as I wrapped my arms around myself instinctively.

“Hey,” Davian called softly.

I turned to him, he was watching me again with that same careful and observant look.

“You’re not okay,” he said. 

I opened my mouth to argue but the words didn’t come because he was right. 

“I’m fine,” I said anyway because that was what I always said.

He sighed softly, running a hand through his hair.

“You don’t have to pretend with me, you know,” he said and that made my chest tighten because I didn’t know what to do with that kind of honesty.

“I’m just… tired,” I repeated.

He held my gaze for a moment longer then nodded.

“Alright.” He mumbled.  

“Come on,” he said, gesturing toward the curb. “I’ll get you home.”

“I can drive…” I started.

“No,” he cut in gently but firmly. “You’re not in the right state of mind.”

“I’m fine.” I insisted. 

“Maxine.” He called, raising his brow. “If anything happens to you,” he continued, his lips twitching slightly, “the team won’t have a pretty doctor anymore.”

“We're going to be stuck with Dr. Reese and everyone will be super careful on the ice.” He added. 

Amused, I couldn't hold back so I huffed out a small laugh despite myself.

“That’s your reasoning?” I was still laughing now. 

“It’s a solid one.”

I shook my head, but I didn’t argue again.

“Fine.”

He nodded, pulling out his phone to arrange for a private driver to take me home. 

By the time I got home, I felt completely drained both emotionally, mentally and physically.

I pushed the door open quietly, stepping inside.

Adeline was on the couch with her laptop balanced on her knees, but the second she saw me, she practically jumped up.

“There you are!” she said, rushing over. “What happened? How was it? What did he say? What did you say? Did he kiss you?”

“Adeline,” I groaned, dropping my bag on the table.

“What?” she demanded, grabbing my shoulders and turning me toward her. “I’ve been waiting!”

I sighed, running a hand over my face.

“It wasn’t him.”

“What?” She blinked. 

“It wasn’t Davian,” I clarified quietly. “It was… Hex.”

Her expression shifted instantly. 

“Oh.”

I nodded, moving past her and sinking onto the couch.

“He’s making this hard, Addie,” I admitted, my voice softer now. “Being there… seeing him… it’s…”

“Is he bugging you about Creed?” she cut in, her tone sharp.

“No,” I said quickly. “He doesn’t even know.”

“And he’s not going to,” I added firmly.

“Max…”

“I mean it,” I said, meeting her eyes. “I’m not telling him. Creed is mine and it's going to remain that way.”

After a brief silence, she sighed, sitting down beside me.

“You’re going to have to grow a thicker skin,” she said gently. “You can’t keep reacting like this every time you see him.”

“I know,” I whispered but knowing didn’t make it easier.

Squeezing my hand, she said, “You’ll get there.”

I nodded, though I wasn’t sure I believed it.

My phone beeped softly beside me and when I glanced down at the screen, I saw a message from Davian.

Davian: Did you get home safe?

A small smile tugged at my lips as I typed back quickly.

Me: Yes, I did. Thank you.

The reply came almost instantly.

Davian: I would like to have dinner with you again when you’re fully present.