Page 37 of Keeping Score

“Or I may have asked Liam for a few ways to win some brownie points with you,” I admitted, grateful that no one was around to see the way my face reddened in the darkness of the hotel room.

“How sneaky of you, asking my brother what I like so you can weasel your way into my heart.”

“Is it working?”

“Maybe,” she said.

My heart soared.

“But only if you buy me a hot dog.”

“I’ll buy you anything you want,” I told her.

“And sing ‘Sweet Caroline’ when it plays,” she added.

“That’s a given.”

“And you have to promise you’ll say hi to Wally if we see him.”

“The Green Monster himself?” I laughed, louder than I should’ve considering my sleeping roommate. “It would be an honor.”

“Fine,” she agreed. “Then it’s a date.”

“It’s a date,” I confirmed.

I fell asleep that night with the image of Maggie on my mind and a smile on my lips, only because of her.

The future was bright.

Chapter Nine

Maggie

Brody didn’t know it, but I watched every single Harbor Wolves game he played in.

It didn’t matter where I was.

Working late in the office. In the gym. Eating takeout on the couch. I made sure to always have the game playing somehow.

I would never tell him. I think it would go to his head that I was obsessing over him like a high schooler with a crush. The same way I obsessed over tracking his flight each time he was flying home from an away game.

Truly pathetic.

But despite my long-running tendency at playing nonchalant, I could never stop myself from throwing myself at him the second that door opened.

Every damn time.

“Hi, Mags.” I felt him smile against my cheek, broad arms encircling me in warmth. “Did you miss me?”

“No.” I grinned, pulling away to look up at him.

“No?” He laughed.

“Well,” I hesitated, pretending to think about it. “I missed you keeping me warm at night. I get cold without you.”

“Oh, is that all I am? A personal heater for Maggie Brynn?”

I nodded.