Chapter 4 

Maxton’s Pov

The memory of her on the rink wouldn’t leave me. Her legs, so swift, so damn graceful and sliced through the ice like she was born there. The way she bent, curved, spun… it was like watching art. And then there were her eyes. Those big, fierce, doe like eyes that always met mine like she could see straight through the jerk I pretended to be.

And the way she talked back when I teased her about her bra strap? Damn.

 That same fire that got under my skin since high school. The fire that broke me when I saw her screaming in pain the night her leg snapped because of me.

Yeah, I hated her. Or at least, I told myself I did. It was easier than dealing with the guilt.

I leaned back on my bed, one arm flung over my eyes. But the conversation with Johnny played back like a movie in my head.

“Are you still acting like you hate her? Come on, man. The lord of the rink is scared to talk to a girl?” Johnny had said, laughter in his voice.

“I do hate her, I never stopped” I had lied, biting the inside of my cheek.

“More like you never stopped loving her.” Jay tested. 

“Sure, you do. That’s why you broke up with Bambi two seconds after seeing Talia’s broken leg.” Jonny pinned.

“You guys can stop it now.” I warned, trying the resist the fact that I had to accept I was in love with her already. 

“Look, man, you like her. You’ve always liked her. That girl broke her leg trying to dodge your stunt, and you never forgave yourself. So, get over it and make a move. You can start now”

“Right, and risk more hate between us? Nah”

Johnny had laughed. “Make her fall for you. If you do it, I’ll hand you the keys to the car my dad just got me. Hell, we’ll all admit you’re the best hockey captain we’ve had. We'll make the coach give you a free pass each time you need it with her.”

At the time, I’d smirked and nodded. But truthfully, no car or title could tempt me more than the chance to be close to her again. Even if it started as a challenge.

The plan was simple. To get close. Make her drop her guard. Maybe get her to laugh, or better, smile at me. And then… maybe, if I had the guts, tell her the truth. That I’d been in love with her since sophomore year. That every girl I dated since was just trying to erase the look she gave me that night after the accident.

But earlier, when she stood in my room, eyes wide, with her chest rising and falling like she was scared and excited all at once, I couldn’t stop myself from imagining her lips on mine.

God, it killed me that I didn’t kiss her.

Just being near her made my chest ache. She didn’t even know she had that kind of power over me. And now that she’d be living here?

It was going to be hectic but maybe that's exactly what I needed. To have her at my sight and all. 

All I just needed to do was keep pretending I didn't see it all. I never agreed to my father's marriage to her mother, I wasn't going to acknowledge making her my sibling. My father knew better than to make me involved in stuffs I definitely didn't have an interest. 

My phone buzzed. I picked up and answered. 

“Johnny,”

“How’s the mission going, lover boy?” he teased.

I couldn’t help the grin. “She helped me to my room. We…had a moment. I'd say. It wasn't exactly…”

Johnny whistled. “No way. You just got to keep me updated. I've got your keys right here.”

“Listen, she looked at me like she wanted it. Like… like she remembered too.”

“Dude. I knew it. So, what next?”

“I’m gonna make her mine, man. No matter what it takes. Keep the keys ready, and I’ll be walking outta here with her on my arm and your ride in my garage.”

Johnny laughed. “Alright, alright. Just don’t fall too hard.”

“She’s pretty,” I said casually, eyes flicking to the window. “But she doesn’t even deserve the Carter heir.”

The words left my mouth before I could stop them. The defense mechanism, the shield. I always did that, downplayed her, pretended she wasn’t everything to me.

“You don't mean that.” Johnny pinned. 

Yeah, I didn't. I was the one who didn't deserve her. But I couldn't let my guard down and anything that she threw in would be caught. I had everything planned. 

Just as I sat up, I heard a soft creak at the door. My eyes snapped toward the door. I paused, listening.

I heard nothing and everything went silent again with just my voice. 

“I'm going off, man. Keep my keys.” I said and hung up.

I stood, walked over, opened the door and found no one there. It was probably a maid cleaning.