“Was she just here? Monica?”
“And your mom, too. I called Jack as well, but his phone is on airplane mode now. It’s a fourteen-hour plane ride from Munich to Miami, and I swear he thought he could walk faster than he could fly. He’s worried about you, but I assured him you were in the best of hands.”
I hold Max’s hand in mine, and instead of wishing that he was here, I actually have the real Mccoy, and I’m just staying silent. That is until I feel Max’s lips brush against my cheek, and my stomach hurts into a million tiny butterflies. I look up at him through my lashes and see that those gorgeous blue eyes are taking me in, mesmerizing each part of my face like it’s his favorite song.
“It was so scary back there, Max. I thought I was never going to see you again,” I say, and feel my chin begin to quiver.
He sighs, standing slowly, and bends over to tuck his face into my neck. Enjoying the feeling of his warm breath as it travels in warm puffs down my throat, I can feel his big body stiffen underneath me.
I open one eye to see Max looking down at his cell phone.
“You need to see something.” He tells me.
I take the device from him, noticing that he’s got it opened to his text messages. My eyes scan the short conversation from 7 a.m. that he and Bianca had.
I sigh, seeing that Bianca admitted in a text to planting those panties and condoms in Jack’s bed. Though, I knew I should have trusted Max a little more.
Okay, a lot more.
My cheeks heat with embarrassment as I put his phone in my lap and lean my head back to look at him. I know I look like a fool right now.
No. not a fool, but a complete imbecile.
“I’m so sorry that I didn’t believe you. I should have known Bianca was up to something. I know you’d never cheat on me, Max.”
“And that I’m more than just a roommate to you?” He quietly asks me.
I grimace, remembering the cutting-words I said to Max that day. I was so angry. I wanted those words to carve into him and pierce his heart. Max would know how I had felt— but I knew it was wrong.
When I saw the genuine hurt in his eyes that I caused that horrible day, my heart shattered into pieces, just as his heart had done. That moment will always haunt my memory.
“Max, you’ve always been more than that to me, even if I was too blind to acknowledge it at first. My love for you has never been temporary, and my love for you isn’t going anywhere. I’m here to stay, for as long as you’ll have me.”
He continues to stare at me, and I watch as his Adam’s apple bobs as he opens his mouth to speak but closes it just as quickly, unable to find the words he wants to say.
My eyebrow arches in concern, and I try to sit up, but he lays me back down with a gentle push with an open palm.
“I want you, Vada,” He finally whispers. “Always, and forever.”
Closing my eyes, I lay back against the two hospital-grade pillows, and his words dance throughout my mind. I’ve never felt safer as I do now, with Max at my side.
I swear, it’s just Max and me in this entire world when his long fingers go to brush the back of my hand, feeling his lips press gently against mine.
All of my pain suddenly dissolves.
Vada
Two Months Later
Since the fire, I have no permanent breathing problems, and I’ve healed up reasonably well. Some scarring on my knees and outer thighs remains, but that seems so trivial after what had taken place. I stayed in the hospital for three nights for observation, and of course, the medical staff questioned where I’d be living. It was a no-brainer, though.
My Mom asked me to come and stay with her until I got back on my feet again, and Monica offered her place too, both rent-free options.
Max’s offer seemed a little sweeter. Rent and Bianca free. Breakfast in bed, free hugs, cuddles, and kisses, plus I’d get to have all of the “kitchen sex” that I wanted. How is a girl supposed to turn that down?
Max wasn’t joking about turning Bianca in. He gave her half the day to speak up. When we still hadn't received a call from the police regarding the fire, Maxwell offered the fire Marshal’s office a tip to locate Bianca Freeman. The text she sent him was enough evidence to have her arrested and charged with arson.
The day Bianca was sentenced was a sweet day of justice for me. When the court reporter announced to the entire courtroom that she'd have five years maximum in prison, along with three years probation after time served, she nearly passed out.
Not so smug now, are you?
The judge also issued a restraining order until Bianca’s sentence was up. She has a full plate to which she had deserved, and I can’t see her being a problem for us in the days to come.
After the day in court with a drive down to Marathon, Max and I celebrated where we dined for the second time at Ed’s Surf and Turf Key West. These last two months have been a time for Max and me to grow and heal as well. Not only as a couple but as individuals too.
Since the move, I’ve found that I like to garden in my spare time. After quitting my job at the bar, I now have a little more free time these days. I still attend college for nursing, which I plan to see through.
Chester loves his new house too. He has more room for his “zoomies” and enjoys going out on nature walks with Max and me, whether it's in the backyard or on the beach with his new harness. Many people find it comical when they see a ten-pound orange tabby on a leash and have even asked to take his picture.
Max is spending more time as a teacher for the Youth Hockey team, and I can tell that he genuinely enjoys it, even if it leaves us less time together. With every moment he and I are apart, we only become that much closer— not to mention our sex life is even more spicey than before if you can even believe it!
Jack and Max have since made up and are on good terms again. Jack always believed in Maxwell, but I was worried that their relationship wouldn’t be the same after the Bianca-debacle.
I’ve learned a valuable lesson from all of this, that healthy relationships, whether romantic or platonic, can withstand any storm.
Today, Monica is taking me shopping, out to lunch, and has strict instructions to take me to the arena. The Saffron Sports Arena, where Max has played all of his home games and every practice for several years.
Saffron Sports Arena was also the place where I happened to break Max’s heart.
Even though we’re back together, it still leaves a bad taste in my mouth. But, Max says that he wants to do some things over, turning wrongs into rights.
I know Monica is assisting him with his little schemes, and the little shit won’t spill. Monica’s like fucking Fort Knox. I packed some homemade cookies in my purse for her as a bribe, just in case.
After we have lunch, Monica and I stop at a department store, and even though I’ve never been one to allow people to buy me stuff for ‘just because’ reasons— I now find it challenging to rebuke when it’s from the one you love. Making him happy makes me happy.
“After he suggested I quit bar-tending, Max better be paying for this shit,” I jokingly laugh.
I notice that Monica’s eyes look so hazy and far off, like she’s been on a different planet for the last twenty minutes. Standing by the circular rack of jeans, I eye her as she pretends to browse through the clothing, but I know that look. That’s the dreamy gaze of a woman in love.
“You love my brother, don’t you?”
Monica abruptly blushes several shades of red, but she turns to me and nods.
Monica and Jack have been spending lots of time together since he’s been back from Europe, and it makes me so happy to see that both my best friend and brother are beyond out of this world happy.
“It’s about damn time, woman!” I playfully wink at her. “Have you told him?”
“I think that Jack will—“ Monica smiles, plucking out a pair of jeans. “Will enjoy seeing me in these!”
After a good laugh and about twenty minutes of begging and bargain
ing as we drove to the arena, Monica became silent and ignored my pleas as to what Max had planned for me. My homemade cookies wouldn’t even break her. Instead, she covers my eyes with a silk scarf around my eyes before leading me into the arena.
“Real original, Mon., a scarf? I know where I’m going; get this off of me.”
“Not a chance,” she happily protests.
I laugh in defeat as she helps me through the front entrance. I keep my ears peeled for any exciting sounds or other noises, but all I can hear is the hum of the lights overhead and the sound of ice skates.
What do they think they’re doing?
“Come closer, Vada,” Monica adorably giggles.
Jack couldn’t have asked for a better girlfriend than Monica.
“Just a little closer, baby.”
There’s no way of mistaking that voice. I can feel my heart beginning to race.
Monica takes the blindfold off, and I find myself near the ice. With Max extending his hand to me, I shake my head, laughing as he pulls me in.
I see all of the empty stadium seats around us through the thick plexiglass, still baffled as to what I am doing here. I turn to Max and smile.
“What are you doing? Are you going to have some guy retake my photos and dress me up as a mermaid?”
He shakes his head, and I stick out lower my lower lip out in mock disappointment.
The mermaid photo shoot was great, for sure, so what could this be?
Damn, he looks good right now. His tone muscles almost break the seams of the light grey dress shirt he has on, and I blush widely. He smiles down at me and places a soft kiss on my lips.
“Can I have this dance?” Max warmly asks me
I felt like I was in a movie as “Wonderful Tonight'' by Eric Clapton begins to play over the loudspeaker. I can’t hold back my smile as I look up to him and nod.
“You know I love you, right?”
“Of course,” I answer as we slow dance together.
“More than chocolate, cats, and Juno.”
“Aren’t we just the smooth talker?” My smile is so broad, my face hurts.
Max stops our dance as we gently sway on the ice. Everything feels so perfect right now in my life as I listen to the music, and the man that I love holds me in his firm, loving arms.
Max unexpectedly drops to one knee.
Oh my god. My heart is going to explode.
Max slips a diamond ring from his pocket and holds it up so I can see. I can feel my mind reeling in surprise.
“Are you serious?” I blurt out as I feel myself become weak.
He holds on to my arms for support and rises to stand at his full height. Those same blue eyes that I’ve adored so much look into mine, I feel like I have to pinch myself to see if I’m dreaming.
“I’ve loved you, Vada, from day one. I never thought love would be possible, but you entered my life, and now I know that anything is possible.”
I can feel warm tears of happiness trail down my cheeks as he continues to profess his love for me. I can’t picture anything more incredible than this moment, here on the ice.
“I want you today, tomorrow, and always. Will you marry me?”
I nod my head as I search for the words.
“You kinda need to say it.” Max winks to me.
I can’t help but giggle as his charming blue eyes search my face for an answer.
“Yes,” I finally say. “I do.”
Max slips the engagement ring on my left ring finger. We both lean into one another, our noses touching as we seal it with a kiss, with Monica cheering us from the stadium bleachers.
Epilogue
Five Years Later
“Max! Come in for dinner, and tell the kids they have no choice; they’re coming too,” I call out through the open window of the two-story home we share with our growing family.
He looks up and winks at me, and my stomach does a little flip like it always does when he looks at me. I smile as I lean my elbows against the windowpane as I observe Max playing with Aria and Rochelle, our identical three-year-old twins. We wanted to honor his mom and made our daughter her namesake. He’s standing underneath a large oak tree with Aria, attempting to teach her to use a hockey stick. She’s not very interested and takes a running leap into a large pile of leaves.
Four years ago, Max and I got married and moved to Chesapeake Bay. Handpicked by an NHL team in Maryland, Max purchased a house there, and we settled in shortly after.
Jack and Monica tied the knot a few months ago and are expecting their first baby soon. They're still living in Miami, but they’re coming for a visit soon.
Rochelle and Aria hold hands as they walk towards the front door, and they both laugh in unison as I run a hand over my growing tummy. I took early maternity leave from the hospital, where I work as an RN, giving me some extra time with the girls before the baby comes.
Max comes up beside me and plays with Aria’s dark curls before he kisses my cheek.
“How’s my boy doing in there?” he asks and presses a big hand to my bump.
I sigh happily and watch the girls play sweetly with Chester. He’s almost nine now but keeps up well with the twins. I lean my head back against Max’s broad shoulder, overlapping my hand with his.
“He’s good. I think he’s going to be a soccer player, though; he’s a kicker.” I say and wrap my arms around his waist.
After we eat dinner and tuck the girls into bed, Max and I sit up and watch the sunset from the large picture window in the living room. The photo from my mermaid shoot in Key West of Max and I kissing hangs in a large silver frame near the television. My eyes flit to it, and it’s crazy to think that it was already over five years ago. A lot has changed in that time. I’m now twenty-eight, a full-time labor and delivery nurse, and soon to be the mother of three beautiful kids. Maxwell is only thirty-two but is beginning to gray a little at his temples, which I think is beyond sexy. He’s living out his dream as a professional goalie, which does take him away from his family occasionally if he’s not playing at home. We’re quite a family and have learned how to manage time apart.
“Love has always been the goal for me,” I say, as Max gazes at me, considering my words. I laugh softly, patting his muscular chest.
“I’ve always wanted to settle down with someone who got me. Who understood me. That was my goal, and you do all of those things for me, Maxwell. When I met you, I had told myself, ‘That’s the one Vada— He’s the goal.”
He kisses my forehead and tells me, “It’s you, Vada. You’re the goal.”
Author’s Note
Faith Troyer is an indie author from Muskegon, Michigan. He’s the Goal is her second published work, and she looks forward to writing and publishing more novellas, short stories, and novels in the future.
Lay Me Down, available on Amazon, is her first published story and will continue with two more books in the series entitled ‘Julia and Gideon.’ Faith enjoys road trips, traveling, photography, and spending time with friends and family in her spare time.
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