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

by Chelsea Curto

The best part of my job is being in charge of entitled men who think they’re better than me because they have a dick.

A week of job searching has left me empty-handed and on the brink of joining OnlyFans.

real

Piper Are you free tonight? Me Is this for a media thing? Piper No. It’s more of a personal thing…? Me Those dots aren’t ominous at all. Piper I don’t know how else to explain it… Me I think you’re a nice woman, Piper. I value our friendship, but I really don’t need Liam decking me in the face. I’m going to politely decline your advances. I don’t reciprocate your feelings, and I’m sorry. Piper Ew. You think I’m hitting on you? You’re like my BROTHER, Hudson. My god.

“Did you set me up on a blind date? My shirt has a hole in it, Piper. That’s not how I make a good first impression. And I didn’t bring wine. Flowers. Anything.” “It’s not a blind date. Give her a second.” “Sorry.” A soft voice floats through the room, and it’s one I don’t recognize. “I had to grab extra napkins. I made a mess.” I blink, and a tall brunette walks into the kitchen with purposeful strides. When she looks up from the stack of napkins she’s holding, she stops in her tracks. Her eyes meet mine, and I swallow. “Hi,” I say. “Hello,” she answers, and I take a good look at her.

“Oh, you’re the professional athlete?” she asks. “This makes more sense.” “Uh, yeah? I play for the DC Stars,” I say. “That’s right. You’re the blond one.” “Thank you?” “Sorry. I’m not a fan, to be honest.” “Of blond hair?” “Of sports. Athletes. Teams. You could line up half the Stars players in here with eight other men you found on the street, and I wouldn’t be able to tell you all apart.”

The guys file out of the locker room, but I hang back. Maverick turns to look at me and gives me a nod. It’s his subtle way of telling me to take my time. When I’m alone, I touch the tattoo on my thigh, the one hidden by layers of gear and clothes, and I smile up at the ceiling. “For you, Mom,” I say to the empty room. “Always for you.” One of the overhead lights flickers, and I laugh. “Yeah. I know you’re here. You wouldn’t miss this. Sometimes I can still hear you yelling at me to get the rebound.” I pause, my shoulders heavy and my eyes wet with tears. “Fuck. I miss you, Mama.”

Oh Hudson☹️💔

“What was with the penalty you got earlier? I saw you chirping that dude.” “He liked one of Emmy’s photos on Instagram last week, and it pissed me off. The hit was worth the two-minute timeout I got in the sin bin.” “You’re joking.” “Nope.” “You might be the most deranged man I’ve ever met.” “Nah. Just an idiot in love.”

I can spend time in the athletic trainers’ room with Lexi. That sounds way more fun than regurgitated meat,” he says. “Don’t compare Lexi to regurgitated meat,” Riley chimes in. “This is your own fault.” “Shut up, Mitchy.” “Grant—you can puke again during the next intermission, but you’re getting back on the ice. Riley—focus on the game, not what someone is saying about your girl,” I tell them. “She’s not my girl,” Riley grits out. “You look at her like she’s your girl,” Mav teases.

Me Thank you so much for the tickets to DC. First class too? I feel spoiled. Hudson I’m still dreaming about that Crunchwrap. And the plate of brownies I ate in two days. If there was a private plane that would get you back here faster than commercial, I would’ve put you on it.

Liam turns his attention to my daughter, and I brace myself for… something. A disparaging comment. A hostile look. The what’s wrong with her? question I’ll get from time to time. It’s instinct after so many years and so many people being assholes. He does none of those things, and I feel horrible for ever thinking he might. Instead, he lifts his hand. He glances at Piper, lips twitching when she gives him a subtle nod. I tap Lucy’s shoulder, and she looks up. When her eyes land on Liam, her mouth pops open. He’s the goalie! “He is the goalie,” I say and sign so everyone can be included in the conversation. I see him on TV! Hello, Liam signs. He touches his chest with a flat palm. My. His first two fingers tap the top of his other two fingers in the shape of a cross. Name is. Then he slowly spells out L-I-A-M with the ASL alphabet.

Is this the way to the ice cream shop? Lucy asks as we walk down the sidewalk. It is. And remember how I said we’re meeting someone special today? You said I’m going to know who he is! Is it Elmo? I laugh and pull her close to my hip. It’s not Elmo, but I think you’ll like him. Who could be better than Elmo?

I spot Hudson right away. He’s scrolling on his phone, and when he looks up and our eyes meet, he grins. He gives me a wave and flips his hat backward before walking toward us. Jesus Christ. Shit like that should be illegal for men to do in public.

Hudson stops a few feet away from us. He squats and smiles at Lucy. “Is it okay if I say hi? Except… I’m realizing I don’t know any sign language. Fuck. Could you—is it rude to ask you to say hello for me? I’m sorry. I should’ve thought about this ahead of time.”

I love him I fear

“Look at Ethan. Dude would be the world’s worst father.” “The day he has a kid is the day hell freezes over.”

Oh his book is 100% gonna have an accidental pregnancy trope

“No one’s done that in a long time.” “Done what?” “Noticed the little things.” She shrugs, still hyperfocused on that damn needle and thread. “There’s nothing special about me.” I frown. She’s not wrong about many things, but she’s wrong about that. Madeline Galloway is special, and I’m sad she’s been led to think otherwise. “Agree to disagree,” I say,

“We need to make him watch the ‘Juno’ positions clips and figure out which ones he likes.” Grant drops to the floor and thrusts into the rug. “Have you ever tried this one, Hud?”

“Maybe you should try and pull Hudson’s new roommate. If he’s not going to, someone should. I hear she’s hot as fuck. You could show her you know how to use a stick. Get it?” “Hey,” I say sharply, and everyone stares at me. I’m not one to raise my voice, but I hate hearing this kind of shit. “I don’t care if that was a joke. Knock it the fuck off or save it for the bar when I’m not around. And keep my roommate’s name out of your mouth. None of you are touching her, and you’re not going to talk about her like that again. Got it?”

What size shoe do you wear?” “A nine,” I tell him, and he heads to the equipment booth to grab a pair of skates. “Is this the part where I have to strip down to my socks? And before you buy me dinner? Scandalous.” Hudson lowers himself to his knees again and sits back on his heels. “Take the shoes off, Galloway.” I find an open chair and take off my sneakers. “You’re sure on the ground a lot tonight.” “I don’t mind.” His mouth hitches up in a smirk. “There are worse places to be.”

A man in jeans and a black T-shirt watching Grant’s sister do another pirouette with the hint of a scowl on his face.

With one more glance my way, Hudson takes off. He makes sure to stop and give Lucy a high five too, and seeing the way he makes a point to include my daughter has my heart growing three sizes. There are a lot of men in the world, but I’m learning there’s only one Hudson Hayes.

“She needs to use the bathroom.” “Oh. Okay. Um.” I scratch my beard. “What do we do? Do we let her go in by herself? I can’t go in with her. That would be weird, right? What if someone steals her while she’s in a stall? What if she falls in the toilet and drowns?” “For fuck’s sake. You all can be so dense.” Liam holds out his hand and Lucy takes it, swinging their arms back and forth as they walk to the information desk. I glance at Maverick, Grant, and Riley who shrug and follow after them. “We need a family bathroom,” he says to the woman scanning a stack of books. “Please,” I add, and Liam rolls his eyes.

Liam leads the way, and after a few minutes of us standing guard outside the door and waiting for Lucy to wash her hands, we find the large room designated for story time. Riley directs us to the section closest to the interpreter, and we settle on the floor.

A bunch of huge ass hockey players guarding a bathroom door for a six year old, this little girl has my dream life😭😭😭

Hudson is asleep on the couch, and his body takes up all the cushions. Next to him, Lucy is curled against his chest. Her face is buried in his shirt and his left arm is wrapped around her, as if he’s keeping her from falling off the sofa. Gus and Millie are on the floor beneath them, snoozing soundly.

Let me get her to her room so you can head to bed.” “I can do it.” Hudson climbs off the couch and stands. He scoops Lucy in his arms, looking down at me. “Come say good night, Mads.” Mads. I like that. Hudson steps over the dogs, and they don’t budge. I follow him, and my heart does that weird, painful thing again when he puts a hand on the back of Lucy’s head so she doesn’t bump the wall. It sputters a third time when he gently sets her on her mattress and pulls the covers up to her chin.

He lifts his chin, eyes zeroing in on the corner of my mouth. He steps toward me, and I don’t know what’s happening. “You have something on your face.” “What?” I brush at my cheek, self-conscious. “Is it gone?” “No.” Hudson chuckles and licks his thumb. “Give me a second.” Cupping my chin, he tilts my head back. He moves the pad of his thumb to my face, and I think I’m being electrocuted.

“Hudson said you can put your art up, Luce,” I tell her. She jumps to her feet. She grabs her artwork and stands on her toes, trying to reach the spot Hudson designated for her, but she’s too short. He laughs and lifts her up by her middle. He puts her on his shoulder and helps her attach the construction paper with a magnet that looks like a hockey puck.

Lucy is next to me at the long table that’s been set up, with Piper and Liam on her other side. She keeps giggling at the cat photos Liam shows her on his phone, and his smile gets bigger and bigger every time she asks him to swipe to a new picture.

But I’ve never seen anyone, not even my ex-husband when we were at our happiest, look at someone the way Maverick looks at Emmy. It’s like she’s made of shooting stars and the brightest light in the sky. It’s beautiful, and for one blissful, optimistic moment, I can’t help but wonder if I’ll ever find something close that.

When it gets to be Lucy’s turn, I expect everyone to go on with their conversations and ignore the child at the table who doesn’t communicate like they do. Except… they don’t. They smile at her, giving her their full attention, and I’m certain my heart is close to exploding out of my chest when Hudson gives my thigh a gentle squeeze.

“It’s true. You’re an unbelievable parent, Madeline,” Hudson says to me softly. There’s a twist to his words. A hint of sadness, right there beneath the surface. “Can you tell Lucy moms are the best? And she’s very lucky to have you?” Riley clamps a hand on Hudson’s shoulder. I’m not sure of the significance, but I nod. I explain to Lucy what he said, and she giggles. I’m the lucky one, Mommy.

I’m gonna start sobbing

She laughs and brushes a piece of hair away from my forehead. “Do you need anything else?” Stay here with me. Your touch soothes me. Every minute you’re around, I feel like the part of myself that’s been broken for years is healing.

The dude I hit—who is the scum of the earth—is an angel compared to Madeline’s ex-husband, and I want to meet this guy for myself. I want to tell him what he’s missed out on, how beautiful Madeline is, how wonderful Lucy is, and how much joy they bring to my life. But really, I want to make him hurt. I want to make him hurt the way he hurt them, and I’ve never felt so… protective of someone before. Like I want to defend them, but since Lucy and Madeline walked through my door, I think it’s part of my job now. A responsibility I’m glad to accept.

“I’m really glad you and Lucy are here.” “What?” She shoves my uninjured arm. “Come on. That’s not what’s on your mind.” “Let me finish. My mom passed away a few years ago,” I say. Madeline freezes. Her grip on me loosens, but she doesn’t let go. “Hudson.” “It’s been a while since I’ve been happy like this. And I know you and Lucy are the reason why.”

I glance up at the sky. Mom wouldn’t mind that I’m talking about her; she used to love it. She was the life of every party. Bright and warm and so welcoming to others. “It all happened so fast, which I guess is a blessing. She didn’t have to suffer for years. I just… I miss her, you know? I’m doing better mentally than I was when she passed. I go to therapy. I’m not where I was when she was here, and I don’t think I ever will be, but I’m getting close.” “Oh, you sweet boy.” Madeline sets down her glass and moves the plate. She reaches for me and wraps me in an embrace I didn’t know I needed until I bury my face in her hair and hug her back. Fuck the pain. “I am so sorry.” “I wanted you to know. We’re friends, and my friends know that part of me,” I say into her neck. She smells like vanilla and the sand on the beach on a warm summer day. “Tonight was the first time someone other than her has taken care of me after I got hurt.”

Me What do you do with the person who wins the bid on you? Blond Bombshell A few of the guys and I take the winners to the DC Animal Shelter. Me Do you have ANY flaws? Blond Bombshell I’m terrible at making my bed. Me What a monster.

I appreciate when he includes Lucy. I appreciate how she’s not overlooked, and if I could have two minutes with Hudson’s mom, I’d make sure to tell her how gentle her son’s soul is.

“Hi,” he answers. The syllable is rough, ragged, and I swear I feel it everywhere. “You look…” Hudson trails off. Cups the back of his neck with a large palm. Clears his throat. “Wow.” “Is my dress okay? It’s the only thing I had and⁠—” “Wow,” he repeats. There’s more emphasis behind it the second time. He moves his hand to his chest. “Shit, Madeline. You’re beautiful. Fucking gorgeous.” “You said your favorite color was green and I—” I lift the dress at my hip, gesturing at my ensemble. “I thought it was festive.” “When I said green, I meant that exact shade. You in that outfit, really.” His cheeks are flushed, and his Adam’s apple bobs. “No other variation is ever going to do.”

“Liam had to knock Ethan on the side of the head because he wouldn’t stop gawking at you. Good thing he intervened before Hudson saw.”

Hudson rubs his hand up my arm. “Gosh. You really are something else, Mads. A sight for sore eyes.”

“You got me a present?” “Lucy did. She’s been working on it for two weeks and is so excited to give it to you. It’s nothing big, but if you could pretend it’s the coolest thing in the world, I’d be so grateful.” “I’m sure I’m going to love it,” I say, and ten feet charge toward us. Lucy jumps in my lap and hands over a large envelope. I open it, finding a dozen papers inside. “What⁠—” “They’re drawings. Of you and her and the dogs. Of you and me at the stove while she watches us make dinner. Of you playing hockey,” Madeline explains as I flip through the pages, and my chest feels impossibly tight. My throat closes up, my eyes blur with tears. A drop of water falls on the corner of the paper and makes the marker bleed. Lucy touches my cheek and tilts my head to look at her. She starts to sign, and I keep my eyes on her. “She wants you to know how much she loves being here. How much she loves the dogs and how much fun she has when you’re around,” Madeline tells me. “This…” I shake my head. Words are difficult to find. Impossible, really. There’s a picture of the dogs at the rink and me in stick figure form, and my nose stings. I bring my right hand to my chin with an open palm facing me, and I move it slightly forward toward Lucy. “Thank you,” I sign, using one of the only phrases I have memorized.

“Why haven’t you been dating anyone?” she asks. “Haven’t really felt like it after my last breakup. Plus, you and Lucy are here. Bringing someone else around is disrespectful.” I don’t add the other part. The admission that not a single woman has caught my eye, because I’ve been thinking about her lately. Nonstop, really. Wanting to touch her. Wanting to taste her. Wanting to wrap my arms around her and kiss her until she’s dizzy and forgets her name.

“Madeline,” I murmur. “Yeah?” she whispers. “Maybe we should kiss,” I tell her, not fully knowing what I’m saying. But those lips… and the corner of her mouth… “To see if it brings us good luck.” “You want to kiss me because you want good luck?” “Yeah. But I also want to kiss you because I’ve been thinking about it for weeks.”

“What else have you been thinking about?” “You,” I say. “In every way I shouldn’t want you. In every way I can’t have you.”

Everything narrows down to her, and the careful way she puts a hand on my chest. How her fingers fan out over my shirt and she twists the cotton, pulling me toward her. As if I wouldn’t go willingly. As if I wouldn’t fucking crawl or run or climb a mountain to get there.

Easy E We’re home with back-to-back nights off. No games. No practice. What are we doing to let loose tonight, boys? Sully Turning my phone off and spending time with someone I like more than you. G-Money Piper, obviously. I’m down for anything. Cap? You in for a night out? Mavvy Nope. Emmy isn’t feeling well, and I’m staying home with her. Me Count me out too. My shoulder is finally back to 100%, but now my legs are sore as hell from those drills we ran the other day. Y’all have fun. Call if you need a DD. I’ll pick you up. Easy E Aye aye, Huddy Boy. You’re a real one. Mitchy? What are you doing? Mitchy There’s an art class I’ve been wanting to try. They finally had an opening tonight, so I’m on my way there. Easy E Damn, G. Guess it’s just us.

Lowkey will Grant and Ethan date…They’re always doing things together (obviously this can be a stretch and they’re just best friends buttt)

I’m going to propose for real. With a real ring, down on one knee. I’ve been sure about her from the moment I met her, and I want to make it official.” “You’ve been sure about her even when she was married to someone else?” I ask, and he nods. “Yeah. I’ve never been patient about anything in my life, but with her? I’d wait a thousand years if I had to.”

“I want to learn sign language so I can communicate with Lucy. I want to be able to ask about her day and tell her about mine. I want to know what she’s saying to Madeline that makes her laugh so much. I want to be included, but more importantly, I want to include her in my conversations instead of talking around her. I should’ve started learning it sooner. I don’t know why I waited so long, but I⁠—”

“You’re different. I like y’all. You’re my favorite girls in the arena, no matter what anyone else’s shirt says.”

“Next time you come to a game, don’t show up in someone else’s jersey.” His fingers trace the outline of the letters spanning across my shoulders. They dance down my spine, and my eyes flutter closed. “I’ll buy you a hundred jerseys with my name on them so you never run out.” “And if I don’t want to wear your jersey?” I ask with a hint of defiance. He brushes a strand of hair away from my neck so he can whisper in my ear. He’s not touching me, but it feels like he is. “I might be nice, Madeline, but I can also be very persuasive.”

“You’re the brightest thing in this room. The brightest thing in every room.”