She was looking for her father.
Alonso stood next to Coach and Carrie.
I saw Coach’s eyes look bigger than windows.
Shock? Anger?
Carrie started to smile.
She nodded at me.
And then there was Alonso.
His face looked like stone.
He tried to take a step and to my shock, Carrie reached out and stopped him.
“I just have to say it,” I said. “I’m not sure this is the right way to do it, but I can’t sneak around anymore. I can’t let all this love I feel just hang around and not go to good use.”
“What are you doing?” Madison whispered with a growl as she walked toward the stage.
“Exactly what I said, sweetie,” I said to her. “Confessing my love to you in front of everyone. I want everyone to know about us. From a one-night stand when you told me your name was Grace to actual love.”
There were a few gasps.
A few laughs.
“Maverick!” Madison yelled as she covered her mouth.
Her cheeks turned red.
“Ah, shit,” I said. “I shouldn’t have said that part.” I looked at Alonso. “I’m sorry about that, Alonso. I mean, we were both having fun that night. You know? Just two people looking to…”
“Looking to get filthy between the sheets!” Lay called out and whistled.
Alonso turned and began to run toward Lay.
Lay scrambled backward and tried to hide behind Remi.
“Alonso, wait,” I said.
He paused and looked back.
I offered my right hand to Madison.
She stared up at me.
“I know you’re pissed at me,” I said, trying to hold the microphone away from my mouth. But everyone still heard me. “You can come up here on this stage and beat me up if you want. Punch me in the mouth. Kick me in the balls. Whatever you want to do.”
Madison took my hand and I helped her up on stage.
I squeezed her hand and smiled at her. “You look so beautiful right now.”
“I’m going to have to kill you soon,” she whispered. “What are you doing, Mav?”
I moved the microphone closer to my mouth again.
I looked at Alonso. “I love your daughter. I’m in love with her. I can’t help it. Everything that happened I’d do it all over again. I don’t care what happens to me next. Suspended for the season? Trade me? Make it so I never play hockey again? It doesn’t matter. I just need Madison’s hand. Her love. Her insane stubbornness to commitment.”