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It’s probably a message from my dad. He sends a thumbs up after every game, and he hasn’t missed a single one since he got a cell phone.
Classic dad move
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.
Madeline, Lucy and I settle into a routine, and whenever I’m home, they include me in the things they’re doing. We went to the National Air and Space Museum last Sunday, and today we’re working on Lucy’s Halloween costume while she’s at school.
They’re basically married already
“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.
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.
OH MY GOD I'M SCREAMING
“Here.” I stand behind Lucy and lift her arm so she’s holding the leashes. I fold my hand over hers so I’m still in control, but it lets her feel like she’s the one leading Gus and Millie. “I have a good grip on them, so they won’t yank her.”
THIS IS SO CUTE!!!
*Unknown Number has added you to GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN(DAMENTAL RIGHTS) AND GOOD SEX*
I'll never get over this groupchat name
Maverick came home from being out with the guys and had food all over him. I asked what happened, and he said instead of going to the bar like they planned, they decided to have a massive food fight. He wouldn’t stop giggling when I told him there was spaghetti behind his ear. Piper Are they twelve? Maven They did this sober? Emmy Oh, yeah. Only water tonight. And apple juice for Grant, who started this whole thing when he launched a breadstick at Ethan for making fun of his drink choice, apparently.
I’m staring at him like I haven’t been fed in goddamn years, but I can’t help it. Hudson Hayes is built like a god, and he’s hot as hell.
It’s wrong to be gawking at him. That’s exactly what I said I wouldn’t do when I took this job, but 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.
“Order. Order,” Maverick yells, knocking his rubber mallet on the fireplace. “Can you all shut up for two seconds so book club can commence?”
“It was mediocre,” Liam says. “I liked the narrators. I didn’t like the story.” “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.
PERIOD LIAM!
“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?”
I don’t say the things I’m thinking: how I’m always worried I’m too much. Too over the top, like women in the past have called me. That the therapy I’ve been doing since my mom’s death is working, but I still feel like I’m this ball of emotion who loves people too fiercely, who cares too deeply, who wonders if my brain might be hardwired wrong.
“I’m going to throw a wrench in your plans and ask if you’re busy tonight.” “I live with my six-year-old daughter and I’m in a city where I barely know anyone. I am, shockingly, not busy tonight.” “Good. The team does this thing every year called Friends and Family night. It’s an event where players bring—guess what—their friends and family to the arena for a night of skating and hanging out. I thought you and Lucy could come.”
“I can skate next to you and pass along directions to Lucy?” Piper directs her offer to Hudson. “So she’s aware of what’s going to happen.” “You know I love teamwork.” Hudson points to a row of seats and jumps over the boards with ease. “I’ll lace up her skates.”
They're one huge, happy family
Hudson holds out his hand. “I won’t let anything happen to you,” he says in an even-keeled voice. “Do you promise?” “I promise, Madeline,” he murmurs. “I’ve got you.” I blow out a breath and lace our fingers together, believing him. “Okay.”
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.
“I bought a booster seat after you told me she couldn’t ride in the car without one. It’s in the hallway closet.”
OH MY GOD
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.”
The story is more entertaining than I thought it would be, and the interpreter keeps eye contact with Lucy throughout the performance. Liam does get picked as a volunteer, and after shooting daggers at us, he puts on a pink apron and pretends to pour tea much to the delight of the three dozen giggling children.
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.
I click off my phone and smile when Lucy puts her hand in mine and sighs. This isn’t how I pictured my Saturday afternoon, but it beats the hell out of any other plans.
I wouldn’t be surprised if they end up with butterfly clips in their hair and wearing sparkly eyeshadow.” “If that happens, I need a picture. Maverick sent me one of Liam earlier today in his star role of Old Woman at story time. I’m going to frame it and put it on our nightstand.”
“When was the last time you dated someone?” Emmy asks. “Dinosaurs roamed the earth and I believed in happily ever afters,” I joke.
Lexi drops her elbows on the table and frowns. “But we need to back up. What do you mean your ex left you? It wasn’t an amicable divorce?” “That implies it was a mutual decision.” I snort. “Lucy failed her newborn test right after she was born, then she failed it again. We learned she was deaf, and soon after, divorce papers showed up at our home. I haven’t heard from him since.” “You’re fucking kidding me.” Emmy turns to face me with cheeks as red as her hair. “I’m going to need a full name and address so I can burn his fucking house down.” “I’m coming with you,” Lexi says.
Protective Aunty Mode activated
I lose Lexi in the dessert line and wander over to find a spot in the dining room. 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.
I LOVE UNCLE LIAM OH MY GOD
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.
Is there anyone out there who is worthy of being in her life? Who will show up for her like I show up for her, even though she’s not theirs?
Girl, you already know the answer to that question
Lucy taps her cheek, deep in thought, before lighting up. You. You’re the best mommy in the world. “Thank you angel. I’m thankful for you too. You’re the best Lucy in the world,” I say and sign, and Liam hands Piper a napkin to dab her eyes.
None of my teammates are around me like they normally would be after an injury, and I can’t help but laugh. “Hell. Who started it?” “Who do you think?” Lexi asks. “Maverick didn’t like the hit you took. No one did. Even Liam got involved. Pretty sure we’re going to finish the game with our fourth line because of penalties.”
When I got banged up in high school games, my mom was there to help clean me up. She never coddled me, but she did wipe away the blood. She plugged in the heating pad and made me laugh. Seeing her made me feel better. I regret all the times I tried to shrug her off when I was younger. When I tried to pull away and tell her I was fine. When I acted like I was big and tough and cool, because I really fucking wish she was here right now to take care of me.
What kind of cookies did you make?” “Snickerdoodle. You, um, mentioned they were your favorite on Thanksgiving, so I wanted to give them a try. I think they turned out okay, but you’ll have to be the judge.”
“You have a thigh tattoo?” I grin and reach down, dragging my thumb over the collection of flowers inked above my knee. There’s a rose and a hibiscus. A lily and a red chrysanthemum. They all form a heart bouquet that takes up a six-inch space on my skin. “I do.”
“Do you like it?” “I love it. It’s so intricate. And the colors are gorgeous. What do the numbers mean?” “It’s the day my life changed.” I don’t mention it, but they mark the last time I held Mom’s hand. It’s the last time I told her I loved her. It was the last time she was in pain, and it didn’t feel right to get the tattoo without including that pivotal date with it.
Flowers were Mom’s thing. She watched the social media channels of some gardening guy down in Florida and learned how to grow her own garden out in the backyard. I’d come home during the summer and see her hands covered in dirt while she planted the new seeds she picked up at the farmer’s market. There was always a vase on the coffee table in the living room, a different bouquet every week.
“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.
She takes a bite of her own cookie, and her smile fades. “Lucy’s dad liked a photo on my Instagram.”
MOTHERFUCKER
The sport I play is inherently rough, but I’ve only been in one fight in my playing career. 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.
the more time I spend with Madeline, the more I realize she might be the most incredible person I’ve ever met.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been happy like this. And I know you and Lucy are the reason why.” “What happened?” she whispers. “Breast cancer. Undetected until it was terminal.” 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.
“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.”
We don’t say anything else. I put my chin on top of her head and drape an arm over the back of the bench. I like having her by my side. She might be the most favorite friend I’ve ever had, and I know I should be the one thanking her.
We have a holiday gala every year for charity, and it’s scheduled for tonight. I know it’s last minute, but two people can’t make it. I snagged tickets for you and Lucy if you want to come.
It would be fun if you girls were there, but no pressure. You girls. There goes my damn heart again, skipping a beat. Fucking traitorous thing.
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.
When I round the corner into the living room, my tongue almost falls out of my mouth. Hudson is wearing a tuxedo that hugs every curve of his body. His blond hair is styled neater than it is when he’s around the house, and his beard looks freshly trimmed. There’s a silver watch clasped around his left wrist, and his white bowtie is decorated with dozens of Christmas trees.
“Hi,” I blurt, and he looks up from his phone. Hudson’s eyes rake down my body and take in the snowflake necklace sitting against the top of my chest. They move lower to the green fabric of my dress hugging my hips and thighs. He works his way down my legs, to my red-painted toes, before moving back up.
