Playmaker

By L.P. Dover

He knows every play in the book. But she’s calling the shots.

I’m Maddox Ledger, all-star winger and the reason the Charlotte Strikers killed it in the playoffs. Yeah, the tabloids like to call me arrogant. A real hothead. All I see is a guy who plays to win. Wreaking havoc on the ice, breaking a few hearts—that’s all just part of the game. And I’m sure as hell not sitting on the bench.

When my teammate asks me to be in his wedding party, I can’t refuse. Lucky for me, the bridesmaid I’m paired with is the definition of eye candy, but she’s so much more than that. Lacey Easton is totally irresistible and she makes me want to be a better man. A glimpse of bare shoulder takes me back to a steamy, two-week Vegas tryst I can’t forget. One I’m eager to repeat.

Suddenly our one-night stand is turning into the sequel. Still, Lacey’s keeping secrets. She doesn’t trust me. And maybe I deserve it. But I know more than she thinks I do and there’s no chance I’m letting her get away—or letting another guy take what is mine. This time, I’m playing for keeps.

• Language: English
• Publisher: L.P. Dover
• Release date: Jun 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215097458

L.P. Dover

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L. P. Dover is a southern belle living in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls. Everything’s sweeter in the South has always been her mantra and she lives by it, whether it’s with her writing or in her everyday life. Maybe that’s why she’s seriously addicted to chocolate.Dover has written countless novels in several different genres, including a children’s book with her daughter. Her favorite to write is romantic suspense, but she’s also found a passion in romantic comedy. She loves to make people laugh which is why you’ll never see her without a smile on her face.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Maddox

"T his is crazy. What the hell are we doing?"

I could still hear the sound of her voice and see the excitement on her face as I pulled her into the chapel. Every single moment in Vegas for spring break had been a whirlwind of excitement from the moment I’d met Paige two weeks ago. We’d done some crazy things, from bungee jumping at the Stratosphere to winning a few grand at the casinos. When I was with her, I couldn’t think of anything other than being with her. It was fucking insane, but I wanted her more than anyone I’d ever wanted in my life.

Closing my eyes, I lay back on my bed, replaying that last night two years ago in Vegas in my mind.

Come on, it’ll be fun, I told her.

How much have you had to drink today? I’d had two Bloody Marys at breakfast and several other drinks throughout the day, but I was nowhere near drunk. Or maybe that was the drunk part of me saying I wasn’t drunk. All I knew was that I had to have her. We’d gotten this far. We could stumble down the aisle together.

Knowing she loved it when I wore my ballcap backward, I turned it around and grinned slyly. I’ll never tell. Now come on, humor me. Who all can say they got married by Elvis?

I might’ve been portrayed as an egotistical douche bag and hockey’s number-one bad boy, but I wasn’t as shallow as everyone thought me to be. With Paige, I could show her who I really was. She understood me, even if I was a drunken idiot the night I met her in the bar. Drinking was the only way I could deal with the shit from my father. Paige was the only one able to get me out of that state of mind.

There was a man at the desk, dressed in a black tux. Good evening, he said warmly. What brings you to us tonight?

I glanced back at Paige and winked before turning back to the man. We want to get married.

Maddox, she blurted, mouth gaping in surprise. Are we really doing this? The look of shock on her face when I pulled out the marriage license was priceless. Her eyes widened and her breath caught. I was serious when I signed my name on that dotted line.

I pointed to a picture of the Elvis impersonator with it’s now or never written on it. It’s now or never, right? I said, grinning widely.

The man at the desk chuckled. It’s one of the songs you can choose in your package.

Pulling her into my arms, I kissed her. What do you say, sunshine? You know you love me.

She laughed nervously. I do, but this is crazy. I’m all for ‘what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas,’ but this is serious. It’s probably not even legit anyway.

I shrugged, hoping like hell it was. Then again, I didn’t know for sure. Probably not. You’re not scared, are you?

Gaze narrowed, she lifted her chin. I’m not afraid of anything, Mr. Ledger. If anything, you’re the one who’s scared.

Was I? Yeah, maybe I was, but that was the exciting part. Squeezing her tight, I kissed her again. I’m so in love with you, Paige. I need this . . . I need you. She shivered in my arms and her eyes glistened. I rested my forehead on hers. I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. Please say you’ll be my wife.

And just like that, I snapped out of the memory. We’d said our I do’s and went back to the hotel, where I made love to her all night. It was wild and hot, just like the entire time we spent in Vegas together. Imagine my fucking surprise when I woke up the next morning alone, every trace of that night wiped from existence. She’d taken everything with her, our marriage license and rings, leaving me nothing. Rejection wasn’t something I was used to. I looked for her, asked the hotel manager if anyone had seen her. I felt like a goddamn fool. She’d left me and I was determined to find her.

She might’ve fooled me back then, but I was smarter than she gave me credit for. That wasn’t going to happen again. I was biding my time. I saw her eleven months ago for the first time since Vegas when she walked through the door with Callie. I knew she was at medical school in New York, but after hiring a private investigator, I found out who she really was. Imagine my surprise when I discovered I’d fallen in love with the sister of a fellow Charlotte Striker, a man who hated my fucking guts. The shock of seeing her with Callie took my breath away. Yeah, I played it off like I didn’t know her, only because she did the same with me. Inside, I was fuming. I’d spent days afterwards wondering how I was going to confront her. A part of me wondered if she left me because I wasn’t good enough. When I was growing up, that was what my father always told me. There were so many times I’d flown to New York to see her, but I could never go through with it. But now that’s changed. Whatever fears I’d had before had diminished with each passing day. I was ready.

Reaching over to my bedside table, I grabbed the marriage license my PI gave me several months ago. Her signature wasn’t the easiest to read, but it was there in bold black ink: Lacey Paige Easton. Lacey thought she was slick leaving off the ‘s’ in Easton, making me think her name was Paige Eaton.

It’s been two years too long and it was time she faced me. I wasn’t letting her go. I knew who she was.

She’s my wife and I want her back.

1

MADDOX

It’d been eleven months since that day in the kitchen when Callie brought Lacey around. I think about that and I want to kick myself in the ass. What the hell was I waiting for? It just made things more awkward. What surprised me was that Lacey actually thought I wouldn’t recognize her. After all these months I’d waited for her, and she hadn’t tried to reach out to me once. The longer this went on, the angrier I got. It was time we ended this game.

Callie and Dallas’s wedding rehearsal was tonight. Lacey would be there. I wasn’t going to let her avoid me anymore. Eleven months was too fucking long to let things simmer. Pulling into the parking lot, I got out of my little black sports car and walked inside. The botanical gardens in Belmont was a prime spot for a wedding. It wasn’t like the chintzy chapel Lacey and I got married in.

I’d arrived early, but Dallas was outside in the garden, talking on the phone. When I joined him he hung up. Hey, man.

I held out my hand. Hey. I’m a little early.

He waved me off. It’s perfect. Callie’s inside. She’ll be out here in a minute.

Thanks for asking me to be a groomsman. I’m sure Callie had to twist your arm.

He burst out laughing. It’s not like that anymore. You’re her family, and by this time tomorrow you’ll be mine. It’ll make Callie happy to see us getting along.

Callie was my cousin, and it was important for her to have me be a part of Dallas’s family as well. For years, Dallas and some of the other Charlotte Strikers hated my fucking guts. Guess I couldn’t blame them. I was a dick and always wanted things my way. I’d changed, though. I wasn’t the same person anymore. Seeing Lacey again made everything different. She wasn’t the type of woman to put up with the man I was when she left me. I had to make her see what she was missing. The old Maddox would only make her run further away.

I nodded in agreement. It will. I’m sorry it took so long to get my head out of my ass.

Dallas burst out laughing. Glad you finally admit it. He looked over my shoulder and his eyes brightened. Well, if it isn’t my bride to be.

Callie squeezed my arm and kissed my cheek. What’s up, guys?

Dallas put his arm around her. Just enjoying your cousin saying how much of a douche he’s been the past few years.

She snickered at me. Oh really? I’m surprised you even admitted it.

Grinning widely, I shrugged. What can I say, I’m trying to get on his good side.

Dallas slapped my shoulder and chuckled. You’re getting there, Ledger. I know Kellan’s impressed with you, too. He’s looking forward to being our coach next season.

That was exactly what I wanted to hear. Kellan and I had never gotten along, mainly because he was the best hockey player around. My father always told me that if I wasn’t the best, I was nothing. I’d worked my ass off to be better than the rest, but it never worked. I just went about it the wrong way. Not anymore.

Callie glanced down at her watch. It’s almost time, you two. Everyone’s about to show up. She started to walk off, but he grabbed her wrist.

Oh, I changed the lineup. I hope you don’t mind.

Callie’s brows furrowed. The wedding lineup?

When Dallas nodded, I had to listen. I was supposed to escort Kellan’s wife, Kristen, down the aisle since he was the best man and she was just a bridesmaid. There were only a couple of other bridesmaids they could put me with. Who do you have me with? I asked.

He looked over at me. My sister. I’m switching her and Kristen around so she can be with Braeden and you with Lacey. And there it was . . . just what I wanted to hear. Lacey was in for a rude awakening.

Are you sure you want to do that? Callie commented. She looked at me and I winked victoriously.

Dallas chuckled. Lacey can handle Ledger. He knows better than to make the moves on her.

If he only knew. I’d touched every square inch of her body more than once. Callie laughed nervously and glared at me. I’m sure he does.

Kellan and Kristen had arrived and Dallas left us to join them. Grinning mischievously, I looked down at Callie. She smacked my arm. Stop smiling. You’re not the one who has to tell Lacey the news.

For months I’d wondered if Callie knew what happened in Vegas. Judging by the look on her face, I’m thinking she did. What all do you know?

Her eyes widened. What do you mean?

I huffed. About me and Lacey. You two are close now. I’m sure she’s confided in you.

Sighing, she closed her eyes. I know you two had a fling a couple years ago.

A fling? It was more than that. I’m pretty sure you already know the details.

Her eyes snapped open. What all do you remember?

I moved closer, hoping she could see the seriousness on my face. Everything.

Clearing her throat, she glanced quickly around. "When you say everything, does that really mean everything?"

"I know everything," I said, keeping my voice slow and drawn out.

Gasping, she slapped a hand over her mouth. Why haven’t you said anything to her?

Really? Because I wonder why she hasn’t said something to me. I’ve been wondering how long it was going to take for her to confront me. She must really think I’m stupid.

Oh my God, this is going to be a mess.

I grabbed her shoulders. Don’t tell her I know. Promise me you won’t tell her I know.

She sighed again. I promise. Hopefully, you two can work this out. My brain can’t handle any more secrets.

Trust me, it’ll get handled. Soon. Dallas called her over to join him and the others and I gently nudged her toward them. Go. I’ll be fine.

I walked inside the building, and as soon as I turned the corner, a familiar blonde ran right into me, dropping her phone onto the floor. I wrapped my hands around her arms to steady her. Hey, slow down, killer, I joked.

She gasped and stared up at me, her eyes wide in shock. For a moment, she stayed in my grasp and we looked at each other. Recognition flashed in those emerald eyes of hers, but then she tried to shrug it off.

Jerking out of my hold, she stepped back. Excuse you, she said, pursing her lips.

You ran into me, sunshine. She flinched and I couldn’t help but smile. It was the nickname I gave her when we were in Vegas. She used to love hearing me say it, or at least, I thought she did. Boy, was I wrong. I wished I knew what the hell I’d done to make her leave me.

She stood straighter. Remind me never to do it again. Bolting past me, she marched toward the door, but I grabbed her arm. Touching her felt exactly like it did in the past. Her skin was soft and warm. Our connection was strong. I wanted to know why the hell she ran away from me. The words were on my tongue, but it wasn’t the right time.

Did I do something to offend you? I asked, genuinely concerned. If I did, I’m sorry.

She pulled her arm out of my grasp. You have no idea. The woman was going to drive me in-fucking-sane.

2

LACEY

Running away from a marriage was the one thing I never thought I’d do. Guess you could call me a runaway bride, only I left the day after the wedding. I was scared. More like terrified. I was only twenty-five at the time and right in the middle of medical school. Not like any of that really mattered when you were in love with someone. My problem was that I didn’t want to get my heart broken, and with hockey players, it was bound to happen. I’d been around guys like him all my life. I wanted to believe he loved me and would stay faithful, but I knew the reality. It was only a matter of time before he got bored of me. I loved Maddox and I still do. I secretly harbored the hugest crush on him even before we met. Hockey was all my life growing up, especially since I had a brother who lived and breathed it. My parents owned a skate shop in Maine, so I had no choice but to fall in love with the sport. When Dallas moved to North Carolina and started playing for the Strikers, I’d noticed Maddox. The man was not only an Adonis but a genius on the ice.

Unfortunately, his skills didn’t transfer to his personal life. He obviously didn’t hold our marriage vows as sacred as I did. Even if I hadn’t left, I’m sure it would’ve ended anyway, one way or another.

I knew it was only a matter of time before my path crossed his. It just so happened he was Callie’s cousin, my soon-to-be sister-in-law. What kind of coincidence is that? What made it worse was that the bastard didn’t even recognize me when I saw him at Justin’s house eleven months ago. Granted, he did say I looked familiar, but that was it. I was his damn wife and he didn’t even know who I was. Not that I could blame him; I left without a trace and he’d had plenty of women to take his mind off of me. I just didn’t think him not recognizing me would affect me the way it had.

Obviously after that slap in the face I couldn’t pipe up and remind him of his husbandly duties—good God, how embarrassing to be that easy to forget after the hot few days we had. I know I left a fake name and all, but really, would it be that hard, when face to face, not to recognize the woman you fucked all weekend? Yeah, it hurt my feelings. But what did I expect anyway—I left, he couldn’t look for me with the alias I used, so end of story, right?

The man was a player, and definitely not husband material. That was the only thing that kept me away from him the past couple of years. I valued trust in a relationship. After I left Maddox, I’d almost bought a plane ticket to fly down to North Carolina to tell him I was sorry. It wasn’t until I saw the tabloids featuring him with other women when I decided otherwise. That hurt more than anything, especially, since the man was my husband. I’d tried to ignore it all, but my heart is making it very difficult.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have the choice to stay away from him any longer. I am a bridesmaid and he is a groomsman in my brother’s wedding. Of all the people for Dallas to ask to be a groomsman, he had to pick Maddox Ledger. All I wanted to do was crawl in a hole and hide until it was over.

The fragrance of blooming spring flowers wafted by me as I trudged outside to the botanical gardens. It was a lovely place to get married. Callie and Dallas were going to have a beautiful ceremony. I just wished I wasn’t drenched in sweat anticipating this impending confrontation. My nerves were shot.

Hey, girl, Braeden called out.

I turned to face my best friend with a smile. He was also Dallas’s good friend and the best defender for the Charlotte Strikers. His blond hair was a little longer on top than usual and his face was freshly shaven, as always. He looked cute in his khaki pants and green polo shirt that matched his eyes. Braeden and I had grown close over the years. He was the person I confided in. So many people assumed we were a couple, but we didn’t see each other like that. My heart already belonged to someone else, someone who didn’t want it.

Don’t look so excited, he teased, bumping me in the shoulder. Your brother’s getting married tomorrow. It’ll be a good time.

I plastered on a smile. Braeden was a serious man, but with me, he’d learned to joke around. It was refreshing to know I could see that side of him that no one else could. I am happy. It was a long day of finalizing the wedding details for Callie. You wouldn’t believe the amount of time it takes.

I was ecstatic for my brother, but I would’ve been even more happy if he hadn’t invited the whole hockey team, especially the one person I had a scandalous past with. I’d done my best to avoid Maddox ever since I arrived in North Carolina a couple of weeks ago, but it was hard considering he was Callie’s cousin and she was almost my sister-in-law. I’d already literally bumped into him just a few minutes ago.

Are you going to stay at the same hospital to finish your residency? Braeden asked.

Not sure, I said with a shrug. I think I might switch it up and apply for a residency somewhere else. Don’t get me wrong, I love New York, but I don’t think it’s where I want to be for the rest of my life. I still had two and a half more years of residency before I could be on my own.

We strolled through the garden, and then back to where everyone congregated. Braeden cleared his throat. You could always work down here. Callie could help get you a spot at her hospital.

That’s true, I said, hoping he couldn’t hear the hesitance in my voice. It’d be nice seeing you all anytime I want. I just didn’t think it was a good idea to be near Maddox. It was hard being around him after what we’d had.

Braeden opened the door and started to walk outside, but I held back. A pair of bright blue eyes met mine. He was across the garden, looking squarely at me. Braeden stopped and stared curiously back at