Page 97 of Mac Meyers Needs Me

“If anyone can deal with life’s curveballs, it’s you,” Lexi promises.

I would love it if he ended up playing locally in the fall, but the odds are slim.

Most of the time I can roll with things, but I know how quickly life can change course.

Mac already has my heart. What if he has to move across the country and he takes it with him?

CHAPTER 34

MAC

Fee is sitting between my legs, reading her Arts Through the Ages textbook while I watch footage of the last game we played against Niagara. The only reason we’re able to effectively get anything done like this is because we started our study session with some cardio. This is my favorite, when we can cuddle, but still get work done—even if mine isn’t of the school homework variety.

I kiss Fee’s neck. “I have to leave for practice soon.”

“Impeccable timing.” She tabs the page with a sticky flag before she closes it and tosses it on the bed beside us. “I just finished that chapter, and my brain is ready to leak out of my ears.” She stretches and wraps her arms around my neck, tipping her head back until she can reach my jaw with her lips. “I’ll head to the arena after my studio class, unless you’re going out with the guys after practice.”

“Nah. We have a big game in a couple of days, so it’s about early nights and lots of rest.”

“Maybe I should sleep in my own bed tonight.”

“Nuh-uh.” I nuzzle her neck. “I sleep better when you’re here.”

“Is that true?” She taps my hands. “I recall us both being under-slept on Monday.”

“I’d been away, though.” I release her and she rolls off the bed, hopping to her feet.

“Mm. Okay. Sleepover tonight, but tomorrow night I’m in my own bed and you’re in yours,” she says.

“We can negotiate later.”

“You mean you can try to convince me to stay later.”

“Maybe.”

We pack our bags, collect Brody and Gage on the way out, and hop into Brody’s car. We drop Fee off at her class and drive to the arena.

“Everything okay?” I ask Gage who’s frowning at his phone as we exit the car.

“My sister’s ex needs a tune-up. The douchebag is trying to get her back. Says he made a mistake.”

“What’s she saying?” I ask.

“All the right things: he’s a jerk, she deserves better.” He shakes his head. “I wish kicking his ass wouldn’t get me suspended from the team.”

“Violence is rarely the answer,” Brody says from his spot behind the wheel.

“Thanks, Yoda,” Gage quips.

“I’m just saying, there are lots of ways to make someone’s life miserable that don’t include breaking their nose or fingers,” he replies. “Besides, if you wait long enough, karma will come around and bite that guy in the ass. He can’t treat women like that and expect for it not to go sideways on him, especially not when the woman in question has a brother on the school hockey team. The guy is an asshole. It’s only a matter of time before he gets his comeuppance.”

“You’re in an introspective mood,” Chase observes.

“I just don’t like seeing people get treated poorly by someone who is supposed to care about them.”

“This,” I agree as we enter the arena.

We hit the locker room and suit up for practice with the rest of the team. A couple of the first years are talking about their summer plans as they lace their skates.