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

by Chelsea Curto

“You’re going to be great.” 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. “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 gently moves me away from the wall. My legs shake, and I hunch forward. There’s a red mark on the ice that looks suspiciously like blood, and I wonder who injured themselves here. I’ll probably be next. “Try standing up straight. There you go. That’s perfect.” Hudson smiles when I straighten my spine. “And try to look up, not down. Don’t you want to stare at my handsome face?” “No offense to your supposedly handsome face, Bombshell, but looking down means I can see if I’m about to fall.” “I’ll catch you before that happens.”