Slap Shot (D.C. Stars, #3)

by Chelsea Curto

I swear I saw her spin a knife in her hand ten seconds ago without cutting herself, and I kind of want her to do it again.

When Madeline stands and says she’s going to grab Lucy from school, hours have passed, and I can’t help but think about how today is the best day I’ve had in a long, long time.

I like knowing she hangs around the kitchen and pretends to clean up while I eat dinner because she likes me as a person, not me as an athlete.

I’m grinning like an idiot, but I don’t care. Madeline watched our game, and that makes me even prouder than the goal did.

Her smile grows, and there’s an ache in my chest. The spot that’s been fractured for years feels warmer. Brighter. Like a stitch has gone through it. Like I’m being pulled back together.

“The team is going to love you, Madeline Galloway.”

I’m not sure why I inch closer to her. I’m not sure why I get in her space, but I’m drawn to her like a magnet, and I can’t stop myself.

A man gone, because she’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted, and once isn’t going to be enough. A million fucking times won’t be enough.

Madeline is beautiful when she smiles.

I want to kiss you because I’ve been thinking about it for weeks.

You are. Let me get one more taste, sweetheart.” “Please,” she almost sobs. “I’ve never⁠—” “With me you will.”

they’re so hot

His mouth stretches into a grin, and I give him one right back. “My name looks good on you, Galloway.” “You think so?” “Yeah. Better than any of the other women in the arena. You’re the only one I want wearing it.”

“I’ve got my girls in the crowd wearing my jersey, Galloway.” Hudson’s face shifts from playful to something soft. A truth he’s declaring in the middle of the sold-out arena. “I could miss every shot I take. We could lose by twenty, and it’d still be a damn good night.”

I’ve even caught my teammates glancing her, and I don’t care. They can look at her all they want, but she’s coming home with me.

“I might be addicted to you.” Hudson reaches around me and rubs my clit with his thumb. “I think about you all the time. I think about fucking you. About touching you. I can’t get you out of my head, Maddie. Haven’t been able to since I first met you.”

Because I’m fucking falling in love with you, and I’d let you break my heart if that’s what you wanted.

“Because y’all are mine.” I tuck a loose piece of hair behind her ear. “And I protect what’s mine.”

“I accept the changes, but only if you accept I’m going to take care of you and Lucy financially. That includes buying you whatever you need, whatever you want, whenever you need it.”

I want to be a safe space for you, Hudson.” She’s the safest space I’ve ever had. I could strip myself down to my bones and I’d feel nothing but shielded with her.

I don’t add the other things: how I really am falling in love with her and her daughter. How I might not be her father, but I’d walk to the ends of the earth for Lucy. How it’s the right thing to do, and even if she broke my heart, I’d be glad for my time with them.

“You know why. Don’t you?” I love you, I think. I love you, I love you, I love you.

“You’re my best friend too, Maddie. And I was serious when I said I want y’all to stick around.” Stay forever, I almost add. Here’s my broken heart. I think you’re the only one who can fix it.

I tell her to protect her heart, but to not be afraid to live.

“Who the fuck is this bastard?” Grant asks. “I’ll go take care of him right now.”

I LOVE U GRANT

I love you, I think. I love you so much, my wasted heart is finally healed because of it.

I haven’t been sad since meeting you, though. You’ve… you’ve poured love into the cracks I’ve tried so hard to fill myself, and I think I’m finally whole again.”