Hockey Holidays Read online

  “Hey, Jake, I have a few friends that want to meet you,” Callie said, tugging Jake away.

  “Man, it was just getting good,” Jake complained as she dragged him along.

  “I’m sorry for that,” Alex said.

  “I’m sorry for not reaching out,” Maggie said at the same time.

  Her nervous laugh rolled over him. He hated that she was tense around him. That so much time had passed without a word between them. He’d been angry that she’d refused to listen to him when she’d ended it. It was easier to cut ties completely then pretend they could go back to being friends.

  And then a few months after he’d been traded, he’d had a game in Chicago. He’d walked into a café close to Maggie’s campus. She’d been surrounded by friends at a small table. She looked happy, with a stack of textbooks in front of her, her arms waving as she discussed something that clearly interested her.

  He hadn’t wanted to get in the way of that, so he’d turned and left the café before she’d spotted him.

  He shook free of the memory at her whispered words.

  “I missed you.”

  And then he was pulling her close, his arms locking around her waist.

  Fuck. He’d missed this more than anything. She’d always fit perfectly in his arms. Her laugh was watery against his chest, and he took in a deep breath, inhaling the light, clean scent of her shampoo that he’d always associated with her.

  “Missed you, too,” he said. His voice was gravelly.

  She pulled free from his hold. “I’m so proud of you, Alex. I knew you would be a success with the Strikers. And the work you do with Westie’s Warriors is amazing.”

  “All of that is for Grace,” he said, putting his finger under her jaw when her gaze dropped to the glass in her hand.

  “Really?” she whispered. Her eyes glimmered with unshed tears as she looked at him.

  “Of course. She was like a sister to me, Maggie.” Grace would’ve been in college by now, probably breaking hearts with her quick wit and easy laughter. Alex had always thought that one day Grace would’ve been his sister.

  “I’m such an asshole,” she said, shaking her head against his chest, and he couldn’t stop himself from running his hand along her soft hair. “I’m sorry for how everything ended. We were friends for so long. I thought I was doing the right thing.”

  She paused and looked back up at him, giving him a half-smile. “I know you probably hated me, and I should’ve sought you out when I moved here, but do you think we could be friends again?”

  Even when they’d been friends, he never wanted to just be friends.

  Was that possible now?

  “Friends?” he asked, and Maggie wanted to bolt.

  Damn Callie for convincing her to go out tonight and not telling her that she was dragging Maggie to the team bar. Maggie knew that Callie’s sister worked here and was dating one of the players. And sure, she’d seen a few players here the one or two times she’d come in for a drink, but it never dawned on her that they came here regularly.

  “Yeah. We were good friends once upon a time.”

  “Yes, we were.”

  He tilted his head in question, clearly not sure how to take her. Hell, she wasn’t sure how to take herself right now.

  “Great. So, how’s everything going? Aside from the great hockey career. Are you happy?”

  “Umm. Yes, it’s a great team to play for.”

  “I heard you’re seeing someone. That’s great.”

  Why the hell had she brought that up?

  “It’s pretty casual. Just a few dates. Been checking up on me?”

  Her cheeks heated. Dammit. Of all the things she had to bring up.

  “No. I heard one of the nurses mention it. I’m glad you’re happy and everything is going well.” She paused. How many times was she going to say the word happy? “Thank you for creating the Warriors. Grace would’ve loved that.”

  Her heart clenched again. When she’d moved to the city and heard about what he did for the kids and the hospital, she’d wondered if his charity work had anything to do with her sister. He could’ve supported anything, but he’d started the Warriors, and the city loved him for it.

  “Yeah, the kids are great, and I want to do whatever I can for them, even if it’s just coming to a game.”

  “Thank you for doing that. The kids love going to the games and seeing the players.”

  “And, I’m so proud of you, Dr. Maggie. I knew you could do whatever you set your mind to,” he said, nudging her shoulder. “But how have we not run into each other at the hospital?”

  “I don’t know,” she hedged. “My schedule’s been crazy, and I’ve only been here a few months.”

  “Sure you weren’t avoiding me?”

  She fiddled with the rim of her glass. Damn straight she’d avoided him. What was she supposed to say to the man she’d loved for so long and then bailed on?

  “Of course not. Just a crazy schedule. I was going to reach out when I was settled.” His eyes narrowed; even she didn’t believe her lies.

  “But you didn’t.”

  She hated what she heard in his voice. It was completely valid.

  “I’m sorry. I should’ve called you or asked to come to a game earlier in the season. But now we’re here, and I want us to be friends.”

  “Right, friends. So, how’s everything going? Seeing anyone?”

  She scoffed. “Ah, definitely not. Residency and all,” she said with a wave of her hand. She didn’t want to discuss her dating life, or his, for that matter.

  He got up and grabbed her hand. “Come on,” he said, guiding her toward a small table in the corner.

  She tamped down the nerves somersaulting through her belly when he linked his fingers through hers, pulling her to the empty table. She scolded herself for missing his touch when he dropped his hold so they could sit down. Her reaction tonight was one of the reasons she hadn’t wanted to see him again.

  He wasn’t single. She had no time for dating. And he wouldn’t want her after the way she’d left him.

  She continued repeating that mantra as a waitress dropped off another round of drinks she hadn’t realized he’d ordered.

  “So, catch me up on all things Maggie,” he said, eying her over his beer.

  She laughed. “I’m not sure where to start.”

  “Why San Francisco? Not that we don’t have top-notch hospitals here, and not that I want to believe you picked a hospital in the city where I live.”

  Was that hope in his eyes? No. Of course not.

  “Ego, much,” she teased, avoiding the question. “I applied to a bunch of hospitals across the country. I wanted something new, a change of location, and this is one of the best children’s hospitals in the country. When they offered me the position, I wasn’t going to say no.”

  “Well, I’m glad you’re here. It’ll be nice to have an old friend from home out here.”

  “Yeah, me too,” she said, taking a sip of her beer.

  Friend. There was that word again. The word she’d asked for.

  A word she was beginning to hate, but she shouldn’t want what she couldn’t have.

  “You did not,” Maggie said, her cheeks sore from laughing an hour—and two drinks—later. She was still tucked away at the table with Alex. They’d caught each other up on the last four years, and god, she’d missed this. Him. Maybe they could do this. Be friends.

  “When the kids want you to dress like Olaf and have a Frozen singing contest, you do it,” he said, with a grin.

  “But you can’t sing. You’re bad, cats in heat crying bad.” She giggled.

  He leaned back, his hand on his chest. “You wound me, Mags. I’ll have you know that many people said my singing was memorable and unique.”

  “As in a memory they can’t unhear,” she said.

  “Very funny. Maybe we can have a repeat this week when we stop by to deliver presents. I’ll make sure to tell the kids you requested it.”