All Chapters of He choose the ice, now he wants me back: Chapter 21 - Chapter 27

Maxine’s POVReese was taking more time than I expected and that gave my thoughts room to spiral into places I did not want them to go.I sat across from his desk, my fingers loosely intertwined on my lap, my leg bouncing slightly despite my efforts to stay still. His office was too quiet, and it made the sound of my own heartbeat louder in my ears.This was a bad idea or maybe it was the only idea I had.I exhaled slowly, leaning back into the chair as my eyes drifted to the file resting on his desk.“Hex Mercer,” I read aloud, running my fingers on the bold wordings. A few minutes later, the door opened, pulling me out of my thoughts.“Max,” Reese said as he walked in, shrugging off his coat. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”Tucking my hair behind my ear, I straightened. “No, it’s fine.”He gave me a brief nod, setting his things down before moving behind his desk. His movements were calm and practiced, like nothing in the world ever really rattled him. Well, I envied that.“Alright

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 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 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