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Madison
Madison checked herself out in the mirror. Her new Jasper jersey fit great, and it looked even better with a pair of black leggings and black Converse tennis shoes. Madison pulled her hair up into a ponytail with her hands, but shook it off and decided to just leave it down. Her beach waves were looking amazing today.
Matt had invited her to the game tonight. Hardly able to contain her anxiousness, she cut out of work early, right after her last scheduled appointment. The last few days she had been booked solid, and she deserved one day of leaving early. Plus, the other two girls could handle any additional walk-ins.
Madison had always been a hockey fan, but she appreciated it a lot more since meeting Matt. Going there specifically to watch him play gave her a rush she had never felt before. Maybe all hockey fans felt this way, or maybe it was because she was specifically there to watch and cheer on Matt.
After getting hit in practice yesterday, he was hurting, and he kept telling her how old he was and all that bullshit again. He had no concept that she didn’t care how old he was, or what he looked like. He may have thought he looked like an old man, but that was not what she saw. Not only was he a great guy on the inside, he was very attractive.
The grumpiness carried over into their drive to the arena. He was quiet, and she could tell just by the look on his face and his posture as he drove, that he was still physically hurting.
Matt walked her into the arena. She was hanging onto his arm, which was her new favorite thing. He was so muscular and tough, she felt safe being so close to him. Maybe she felt a certain sense of pride, too, that she was at his side, and on his arm.
“Matt, hey.” Coach Walker approached them. He flashed a cursory smile to Madison before directing his attention back to Matt. “I see you brought a guest tonight.”
“Yes, this is Madison Briggs.” Matt nodded in her direction.
“Madison, right. Hello, nice to meet you.” He turned back to Matt. “Um, Matt can I talk to you in private for a second? Excuse us please, Madison.”
Matt walked over against the wall with his coach. Madison couldn’t hear the conversation, but from what she could see, it wasn’t a happy one. Matt looked angry, then his face dropped, as if he had just given up. His coach touched him on his shoulder. From here, she could read his lips clear as day when he said, “the rest will be good for you,” and “it’s just one game.”
Returning to her side, Matt looked defeated. Deadpan, he said, “Change of plans. We need to go this way, instead.”
“Matt.” She put her hand on his chest to make him pause. His heart pounded heavy against his chest. “Talk to me.”
“Maddy, just... Please. We need to go this way.” Matt tried pulling her in the direction he wanted her to go, but she wasn’t budging.
“Matt.” Madison held his chin with her finger and thumb. In a very calming voice, she begged, “You’re clearly upset. What’s wrong? Please talk to me.”
Matt let out a heavy breath of air, shook his head, and rubbed at the back of his neck. He loomed over her, his essence dark and sad. “Coach Walker wanted to give me a heads-up that I’m a healthy scratch tonight. Since I brought you as my guest, we can both watch from the team suite.”
“Oh.” Now she understood the grim look on his face, and her heart fell.
“Yeah.” He looked over her head instead of making eye contact. “He thinks I need the rest.”
“Okay, maybe it’s a good thing. Maybe it will help your body recover quicker?” Madison knew he wouldn’t take her words as comforting, but she had to try. “So, where’s this team suite?”
“You really want to stay?” He looked almost shocked.
“Well, yeah. Don’t you have to, at least for a little bit?” She assumed that even if they weren’t playing, they still had to be in the arena, at least for part of the game.
Matt shrugged, and she wasn’t sure if that meant she was right or not.
“I’m all dressed in my Renegades stuff and we’re here. So, let’s watch a little bit, and then we can go as soon as you’re ready. And what kind of food do they have in the suite? I’m hungry.”
Somehow, she managed to get a small smirk out of him. “Shocker.”
“Hush. You’re just jealous you can’t eat like me and still keep a girlish figure.” She put her hand on her hip and posed for a second.
“Why the hell would I want a girlish figure? I’m all muscle, sugar. But, fine. We’ll watch for a while and get some grub.” He finally gave her a full smile. Holding her at arm’s length, his grin reached his eyes as they traveled over her. “Why can’t I say no to you?”
Madison didn’t have an answer for him, because she felt the same way about him.
He pulled her into an embrace. “Sugar, somehow having you by my side makes even this shit show better.”
“Um, thanks? I think.”
The walk to the team suite was quiet, but as they walked, Matt reached for her hand. Madison usually liked staying a step behind him, and that was good for admiring him in his slacks and sports coat. She never could resist a man in a suit. As much as she liked the view, she stepped up and walked with him as he led her into the private club area.
Once in the team suite, Madison held onto Matt’s arm with both hands, her nerves getting the better of her. She didn’t know anyone in the room and was rethinking her request to watch the game here.
Matt looked back at her, his voice at a whisper. “Sugar, you don’t have to be bashful. These folks won’t bite. I’m not sure that most of them are even going to pay attention to me being here. Now if Ty walked in here, that would be a different story. They’d be all over him.”
But she wasn’t convinced. Looking around the room, she noticed a few familiar faces, but no one she knew by name.
“Hungry?” Matt pulled her towards the buffet and handed her a plate. “Here. Help yourself to anything you want. You want a bottle of water?”
With only the few words he spoke, Madison could tell he wasn’t all right. Why would he be? He had thought he was going to play tonight. He had held it together before for her, and once they sat down, she’d be there for him.
Madison grabbed a few things from the buffet, but kept her eye on Matt at the bar. He returned to her with two bottles of water. He looked at her full plate and forced a chuckle. “Hungry?”
“Oh no, you’re helping me eat this. No argument.” Crossing in front of him, she tugged at his tie for him to follow her. “Can we sit here?” She pointed at the high bar top ledge that overlooked the arena.
“If that’s what you want, absolutely.” Matt sat their drinks down on the bar top and pulled out a chair for her.
Matt had introduced her to the other guests who were chatting behind them, but she didn’t remember any of the names. Some were media folks, some were friends of the owner, but they all seemed to talk amongst one another. And that was just fine with her. There were a few other players also scratched tonight. They looked younger and sat in seats away from Matt. But all Madison’s attention was split between the game and Matt.
Sitting and looking down at the ice, she could literally feel the tension coming from Matt. Sliding her hand to cover his, she watched him until he met her stare. With a soft grin, she whispered, “Hey.”
“Hey, yourself.” A smile pulled at the side of his mouth.
Madison pulled his hand up to her mouth and kissed the back of his knuckles. She wanted to plant a kiss on his cheek, but that might be out of line with all these people around. At least she got her point across this way. “This is still my favorite jersey, with my favorite player’s name on the back.”
He needed to know that she was there for him. No matter what. And that she was his biggest fan.
Before she could say anything else, Matt leaned over and kissed her softly on the lips. “Thanks.”
His lips were warm against hers. As he pulled away she wished she could hold him close and make sure he felt like the macho man that she saw him as. Her heart thudded as she stared at his lips, wishing they were still on hers.
They ate and drank while they watched the first period. Zanetti was in goal, and was stopping everything until the end of the period, when he let in two shots.
After the teams left the ice, Madison turned to Matt. “You okay?”
“Me? Fine.” Matt shrugged. He nodded to the almost empty plate of food. “Want some more?”
“No.” She shook her head. “Please eat that last stuffed mushroom.”
“Nope, that’s yours.”
Before she could argue, Matt held the stuffed mushroom to her lips. Unsure of what to do, she took a bite. It was oddly suggestive, and unlike him to show such affection in a room full of team suits. Her heart fluttered as he stared at her with that dark, sexy look. Matt continued to hold the remainder of the mushroom there, so she finished it. With a smile, she took his hand in hers.
“Matt, you okay?” Ben Nolan, the team owner, gently placed his hand on Matt’s shoulder. “Shoulder okay?”
“Shoulder is fine today, Ben. Thanks. Ben Nolan, this is my date, Madison Briggs.”
“Madison.” Ben shook her hand. “Nice to meet you.”
“Ben, Maddy is the therapist who’s been helping out the team docs with some of our injuries in Wilkes-Barre.”
Ben nodded in acknowledgement. “Madison, yes. Well, I’ve heard nothing but good things about you from our players. And I hear they love you in Wilkes-Barre. There might be an opening back east with them soon. If you’d be interested, I can put in a good word.”
“I appreciate the vote of confidence, Mr. Nolan, but no thanks. I’m happy right here in Pittsburgh.” Madison shyly smiled, and nervously squeezed Matt’s hand.
“Okay, but if you change your mind,”—Ben pulled out a business card and handed it to Madison— “here’s my card. They won’t be doing any hiring until the off season, so you have time to change your mind. If you do, please give me a call, and the job is as good as yours. Just say the word.”
Madison shook her head. Her face was burning and probably dark red. She took the card and slid it into her purse. “Thanks, Mr. Nolan. I do appreciate the support.”
“I hope you change your mind. You would certainly be a welcome addition to our team. Well, an owner’s work is never done. I’ll see you later, Matt. Nice to meet you, Madison. Have a nice evening, you two.” Ben left the suite.
As they waited for the second period to start, Madison could feel Matt’s eyes on her. “What?”
“You should take it.” Matt said flatly.
“The job? No.” She shook her head insistently.
“Why not? Maddy, you’re still young, and it’s like a day trip back to Pittsburgh.”
“No.” She shook her head. “My life is here, in Pittsburgh. My friends are here, my sister and my parents are here. I can’t run off to Wilkes-Barre and leave it all behind. Let’s just enjoy the game.” Even as she said the words, she knew it wasn’t that easy. Matt was not enjoying watching the game from up here. He wanted to be on the ice. What hockey player wouldn’t prefer to be on the ice vs watching from the stands?
With the second period starting, Matt sat silently with his elbow on the table, and his chin resting in his palm. With his free hand, he drummed his fingers mindlessly on the table top in front of them while he stared at the ice.
Madison reached out and covered his strong hand with hers. His skin was rough and weathered, but his hands were also large and strong. She liked that. Wrapping her fingers around his hand, she hoped to calm him, but ironically it caused her own pulse to speed up and her stomach to flop. Madison could sense him looking at her, but she avoided making eye contact. She didn’t want him to see the concern in her eyes for him. It hurt her heart to see him sitting here, trying to be strong for her, and any media that might be in the room.
Holding his hand, she wasn’t ready to let go of him yet. They sat in silence and watched the game like that, until Kris Lafleur scored a goal, breaking the tie and putting the Renegades ahead by one. Madison couldn’t help her excitement and threw both arms in the air and cheered with the rest of the arena, while the goal song played and the horn blasted. She clapped and danced to the song.
Matt pumped his fist in the air for his friend, but she noticed him wince slightly at the movement.
“Shoulder bothering you again?” she asked, not expecting an answer.
Matt waved her off. “No. Just... No. It’s fine.” He wiggled his shoulder and stretched his neck.
“Here.” Madison slid her hands under his sports coat and tried to find the sore spot. It didn’t take too much before Matt was squirming under her touch.
“Maddy,” Matt whined, as he tried to pull away.
“Shhh, just give me a minute. Your shoulder is extremely tight. This will help.”
She was still rubbing his shoulder when the Renegades scored again, adding to their lead. Instantly, she felt Matt tense under her fingertips. Giving in to his wishes, she stopped. I’ll make him come in for an appointment tomorrow to fix that.
Trying to keep her attention on the game proved difficult. Madison couldn’t help but sneak peeks of Matt. His eyes looked sad as he watched the ice. As much as she liked being here, if it was hurting him, she’d be ready to go as soon as he was. “How you doing, tough guy?”
“Eh. Maddy, I think I’m ready to leave whenever you are.”
“Um, yeah, we can go. That’s fine.” She didn’t want the night to end, but she’d felt his tension grow over the last hour of sitting here watching instead of playing. “How about we go get something to eat?”
“They have more sandwiches back there—” Matt pointed to the buffet in the suite, before his words came to a sudden halt. He obviously realized she wasn’t only worried about her stomach, since they both had picked on food for most of the game. “Yeah. Sure. Any thoughts on where you’d want to go?”
“Not really. You pick.” Then to lighten the mood, she added, “But please don’t say The Cat House. I’m not fond of glitter in my food. No offense to the girls.”
A smile tugged at his lips. He slid his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close. She melted into his warm and rigid body. His scruff tickled her cheek. Her face filled with heat as his lips brushed against her cheek.
Matt’s voice was low and comical. “Why are you hatin’ on glitter? Didn’t you know that glitter is full of fiber?”
“Very funny, but I think I’ll pass. I’ll get my fiber the old fashion way, thanks.” Madison couldn’t help but smile as she enjoyed being in his embrace. Still, she could feel his discouragement at being here, not playing. “I know this wasn’t what you had in mind tonight, but thanks for bringing me, and I’m ready whenever you are.”
“You sure? I mean, if you want to finish the game, I could—”
“Nope.” Madison shook her head with a smile. She grabbed his hand and stood up, pulling him up with her. “Let’s go.”
“OKAY, MADDY, I FEEL way overdressed. You’re in a hockey jersey and tennis shoes. And as cute as you look, I’m dressed like your father. Hell, I probably look like your father.” Matt’s face fell, even though he appeared to be trying to keep his voice light. He searched the restaurant for something, probably to see what everyone else was wearing. Or maybe he thought folks were staring. But his sadness wasn’t lost on her.
“Please.” Madison huffed. “Twenty-three is not that much younger than you. And you look fine. Some people are dressed up and some aren’t. Plus, if anyone is looking at us, it’s because I’m on a date with a Renegades player, and they’re jealous.”
Matt flashed her a doubtful look, as if he didn’t buy into her words.
“Here.” Madison scooted closer to him and immediately went to work. She tugged lightly at his tie until she had it untied. Then she slid it off his neck and set it on the table. He tried to speak, but she shushed him and went back to what she was doing.
She had to keep her eyes on her work, and not him, because she knew the second they locked eyes, this would get weird or uncomfortable. Well, more than it already was. Their faces were close enough that she felt his warm breath, and her heart was racing as she practically undressed him. Madison was very much enjoying this.
Music blared in the background. She barely noticed until the words caught her attention. It was James Arthur’s “Say You Won’t Let Go”. The words hit her in the heart and her body heated up.
Madison swore she could hear his heart thud in his chest when she reached for his dress shirt and undid the top button, then the next, exposing a white t-shirt and a thin gold chain that was tucked under that. She wanted to run her fingers over the t-shirt and even pull out the gold chain just to admire the pendant that was attached to it.
“There.” Madison went against her better judgement and looked up, locking glances with Matt. Their faces were so close. Her heart rate sped up, and her mouth went dry. The song played in the background, and as she looked into his eyes, it was as if the songwriter had read her mind, and he knew all her secret feelings about Matt.
The way he intently watched her told Madison that he was enjoying this interesting spectacle too. Madison was starting to wonder if choosing to go out to eat was the best suggestion. But then again, it kept their night innocent, being in the public eye.
“Excuse me,” a woman’s voice interrupted them, for which Madison was partly grateful, giving Madison a chance to take a breath and cool the rather heated situation she created. “Can I get you two anything? Drinks? Or are you ready to order?”
“Um...” Madison moved slightly away from Matt and grabbed a menu. She needed a minute before she could continue. Matt sure had an intense hold on her. “Yeah, I’m going to go with a bacon cheddar burger, well done, waffle fries, and can I get a glass of water?”
Matt watched her in awe before he spoke. “Yeah, I’ll take the same. But make mine rare.”
“A water for you too, sir?” the waitress asked.
Madison flashed him an impressed smile at his choice of drink.
“Yes. Thanks.” Matt responded.
Once the waitress left, Matt was still watching her. “I can’t believe you’re even still hungry.”
He was ordering the same thing, so obviously it wasn’t too unbelievable. The truth was, she wasn’t terribly hungry, but she’d manage. Maddy knew if she was eating, then she wasn’t trying to flirt with him, or get close enough to almost kiss him—again.