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

by Chelsea Curto

So, you need a break from the search. Come by for dinner. I promise there won’t be any carrot juice. Me Sounds better than the ramen I was going to have. Do you need me to bring anything? Piper You and a smile is great :) Me Now I’m even more concerned…

“Whoa. What’s that smell? Did Liam spend the offseason getting better at cooking?” “Nope.” She stops us in the center of the kitchen and holds out her arms. “Ta-da!” I glance around. There’s a stack of plates on the marble island and two pans on the stove. I spot a plaid dish towel folded next to the sink and silverware on the counter. Nothing is different from when I was here for pizza night last week, and I’m even more confused. “Uh.” I frown and scratch my beard. “What am I looking at exactly?” “Where did she—Madeline? Are you okay?” she calls out, and my frown turns even deeper. “Who the hell is Madeline?” I ask.

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. I swear I haven’t seen her before. I’d remember her if I did.

“Delicious is an understatement,” another voice adds, and Liam joins us in the kitchen. He’s changed out of the pads and gear he had on when I saw him earlier at morning skate, and his dark hair is wet from a shower. “And you know it takes a lot for me to say that.” “I do know that. I thought you were allergic to compliments.”

DAVE’S DOGS IS COMING BACK TO THE ARENA, BABY. I started a petition with the food and bev people, and he’s coming BACK! Mitchy This is why you’re interrupting our rest before the game? To tell us a hot dog vendor is back?

Easy E Want to go to the cart on the corner across from the hotel and get one??? Sully I’m going to commit a murder.

Wait. Does Emmy call you Daddy? Lol Easy E No way. He probably calls her Mommy. I would! Mavvy I’m going to break your jaw. G-Money It’s so fun when he gets riled up!!! *Sully has left the chat* *Easy E has added Sully to the chat* Sully I’m changing my number the second we get home. Fuck all of you. Easy E Love you too, GK!!!

Have a good match tomorrow night! Me Game. We play games, not matches. If I played cricket, that would’ve worked really well. (But thank you. That’s kind of you to say)

“Can she cook?” “She’s like Gordon fucking Ramsay. The chicken curry she made for dinner the other night was the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.” “Wow, man.” Maverick smirks. “If that’s the case, you need to get out more.” “Shut up. I meant she’s a damn good cook,” I say. “Look at you. You’re fucking blushing.” “I am not.” “Yeah, you are.” He taps my shin with the blade of his stick and grins. “Is she hot?” “I’m not answering that question.” “Classic deflection. Means she is.”

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.”

“Good?” he asks. “Yeah. You know you don’t have to wait for me.” “You’ve been saying that for years, man. When have I ever listened?” “Never.” I tap my helmet against his. My chest hurts, but some of the pain dissipates when I hear the roar of the crowd. When I see the full arena and my teammates waiting for me. “And I love you for it.”

“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.”

I’ve never been drawn to blond men, but he’s an anomaly. From the deep blue eyes and the scruff of his well-trimmed beard to his shaggy hair and the way he holds himself like he commands the attention of everyone in the room, Hudson Hayes has me curious.

“Perfect. I’m thinking we’ll do protein-heavy plates for your meals. Chicken with sides of starches and veggies. Fish too, for the acids and vitamins. Carbohydrates like pasta two days out from your games because that’s your main source of energy during exercise, and easier carbs like whole grain toast on game day mornings.” I make a list of what I mentioned, and when I look up, Hudson is staring at my notebook. His eyebrows wrinkle, and he frowns before shaking his head. “Is everything okay?” “No one’s ever been so thorough with my nutrition before,” he says in a defeated tone, and it makes me mad at everyone who’s been in his kitchen before me. “The only people who have ever mentioned carbohydrates to me are the team’s trainers.” “This is serious stuff, Hudson. Your body is what earns you money. Focusing on the ways to help you take care of it seems like the bare minimum.”

After five minutes of looking in every cabinet and drawer, she washes her hands and glances at me. “I’m ready.” “Should I get a stopwatch out or something? Do you want me to put on a hat and say yes, chef?”

“Hey, Little P. I figured I was on speakerphone.” “It’s a good thing you didn’t say anything inappropriate.” “Inappropriate?” Emmy snorts. “We all know Hudson is a please and thank you kind of man, even when he’s fu⁠—” “Let’s save the talk about my personal life for later,” Hudson cuts in, and I bite back a laugh when he adds a reluctant, “please.”

Think about it: you’ll be around almost every day. Sometimes late at night. Might be easier for you if you walked down the hall after dinner instead of trying to get across town. And I don’t like the idea of you alone on the streets when it’s nearing midnight. Especially with Lucy.”

“I don’t have enough free time to be a murderer, and I saw how good you are with knives. I wouldn’t stand a chance against you.”

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.

“You’re a good mom,” I say, and her bottom lip quivers. I remind myself to tell her that frequently when she’s around.

“Not exactly. It’s not lost on me you’re an attractive professional athlete.” Madeline rolls her eyes. “Okay. Wipe that grin off your face. You know what you look like.” “A compliment is still nice to hear. Thank you for the flattery, Madeline.”

“Full disclosure: I’ve never been the guy who likes random hookups. I’ve never had a one-night stand, and I don’t sleep with a woman unless she means something to me.” “Never?” “Never. I like relationships. Meaningful conversations. Getting to know a person before I take off their clothes. I swear that’s not a line I’m using,” I add, and it’s my turn to blush. I didn’t expect to be having this conversation in my kitchen.

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.

The only sign he’s been there is a different sticky note on the counter. Always in the same place—right by the stove—and always with the same message: a thank you scribbled in his messy handwriting. With a little smiley face in the bottom right corner. It’s a silly thing. Something I wouldn’t usually notice, and I don’t know why it makes me laugh when I’m groggy and sleep-deprived. But it does.

I pivot and pretend like I’m going to pass the puck inside the crease to Maverick. The opposing goalie tracks my movements and turns, positioning himself to brace for an up-close shot. I take advantage of his misread and pull back, knocking the puck with a slap shot to the upper right corner of the goal. It sails straight into the net and the horn sounds. The crowd groans in disappointment. My teammates surround me and I knock their helmets with mine in celebration.

That was a really nice goal you scored, by the way. I think I could get into hockey. 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.

When the door closes, I walk to the kitchen and grab an apple from the fruit basket. Lucy always eats one after school, and I cut it into the slices she likes before sliding it onto a plate.

back to eating peanut butter for lunch.” 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. “I guess there are worse people to be stuck with,” I say.

“Ah, to be thirty again.” Hudson leans forward and grabs the collar of his stained shirt with one hand. He pulls it over the back of his head and all the way off, leaving him bare-chested. I gape at him, caught off guard by seeing his naked torso for the first time.

I’m treated to a view of his back muscles as he walks away, and I push the heels of my palms into my eyes. It’s wrong to be gawking at him.

here I am: my tongue almost hanging out of my mouth, my skin flushed and my pulse racing. Starry-eyed, like I’ve never seen a man before. And, fuck, is Hudson a man.

Enjoy the peace and quiet when I’m not surrounded by the hooligans I have to call my teammates.” I laugh. “You love them, don’t you?” Hudson’s smile melts into something nostalgic, almost, and he nods. “With everything I have. Which is something male athletes are told they shouldn’t say, but whatever. They’ve gotten me through some rough days, and I’m not sure I’d be here if it weren’t for them.” I lift my glass. “We need a toast.” “What are we toasting?” “To the family you’re born with, and the family you meet along the way.”

“How did you not like the story?” Ethan asks. “It’s about a basketball player pretending to date his best friend’s sister. And she says she doesn’t like him. It’s gold.” “I’m tired of books that claim the main characters don’t like each other. I want to see it. Give me a dagger to the throat,” Liam says, and Grant nods in agreement.

“Mitchy?” Maverick asks. “Thoughts on the book?” Riley clears his throat. “I liked it. I really liked the scene where, ah…” He trails off and grabs his beer, taking a long sip. “The car scene.” “The car scene.” Ethan slaps the table. “That was hot.”

“Prude,” Connor calls out, and I flip him off. “I’m not a prude. I just don’t want y’all knowing what my girl might like. That’s for me and her, not you nosy assholes. Besides. I’ve never had any complaints. One ex even sent me a message a month after she broke up with me because she missed my hands,” I say. The admission sets them all off. Ethan tackles me. Grant jumps on top of us. Maverick is cackling, and even I can’t help but laugh. “Huddy Boy is a fucking dog,” Grant yells. “I knew he’d be a freak in the bedroom,” Ethan says, and I untangle myself from them. “I’m not a freak. I just know how to listen,” I say. “Helps a lot.”

“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?”

“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?”

“You sure you’re okay?” “Yeah.” I turn to the chapter with the grand gesture Ethan’s raving about. “I’m with you guys. Doesn’t get any better than this.”

It’s not because I don’t think she’s capable. Lucy is the most coordinated kid I’ve ever met. Determined, too. I’m sure if she laced up a pair of skates, she’d be unstoppable on the ice. I’m just… afraid. Terrified of something bad happening to her, because she’s my everything.

She looks like a ballerina! “Who?” Piper follows my gaze. “That’s Hannah, Grant’s sister. She’s a professional figure skater.”

“If I’m going to teach Lucy, I’m going to have to touch her. I’ll have to hold her hand and put my arms around her so she learns how to balance. Are you comfortable with that?” “I am.” I nod, chest pinching tight with his check in. “Thanks for asking. You two have fun. I’m going to watch from here.”

He taps the half-wall with his knuckles. “Want to do a lap?” “I mean we can, but I don’t want to injure you. Or myself. I might turn into a human bowling ball and take out half the team.” “That’s not going to happen.” “And if it does?” “Then I’ll yell strike and we move along.”

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.” My skin flushes hot at the idea of him on his knees somewhere else—like in his room—and I clear my throat.

My foot almost slips out from under me when I enter the rink. I grab the half-wall beside me and hold on for dear life. “This was a very bad idea. I haven’t updated my will. I haven’t seen the Grand Canyon or the Great Barrier Reef yet. I’m too young to die.” Hudson holds out his hand. “I won’t let anything happen to you,” he says in an even-keeled voice.

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.

“Same. I don’t mind the rain, but I could do without the lightning every five seconds. It was bright with the curtains closed, and the dogs were freaking out.” “Oh, no. The lightning scared Lucy too. I held her in my bed for an hour or two before she finally fell asleep.” “Next time we should make a fort in the living room and have a party.” “I like that idea.”

“I’m excited to hang out with her. Is it okay if some of the guys come to the library with us? I thought Liam could join and do some interpreting for me.”

She groans and hangs her head. “Lucy is going to hate hanging out with me after spending the day with a bunch of cool hockey players.” Madeline grins. “I trust your judgment, Hudson. Invite whoever you want. She’ll be over the moon.”

Is anyone free this afternoon? I’m taking Lucy, Madeline’s daughter, to the library for story time. Mavvy Oh, hell yeah. I could get behind some story time. Mitchy Count me in. Sully Piper told me I’m required to go, so I’ll be there. G-Money What kind of story time are we talking? Me Probably a book with Clifford, since she’s six. G-Money Not as entertaining as the book I’m reading right now. There’s accidental cannibalism in it lol. Me I don’t want to know.

I angle my phone and take a photo of her from the side. Lucy climbed into my lap ten minutes ago and is leaning against my chest. Her eyes keep closing, and I adjust my position so she’s comfortable. I send the picture to Madeline, and I only have to wait ten seconds before I get a response. Madeline That’s the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. Me We’re having a blast.