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

by Chelsea Curto

Emmy is watching from home, and she said if I scored at least one point, she’d let me⁠—” “Don’t finish that sentence.”

I take advantage of his misread and pull back, knocking the puck with a slap shot to the upper right corner of the goal.

Madeline watched our game, and that makes me even prouder than the goal did.

Madeline Galloway is special, and I’m sad she’s been led to think otherwise.

“The internet calls me Blond Bombshell, but I’m not a huge fan of that one.”

“Hudson Blond Bombshell Hayes.

“I guess there are worse people to be stuck with,” I say.

When she sticks out her tongue and waves to Lucy, I know I made a damn good choice with these two.

Broad shoulders covered in patches of freckles give way to sculpted biceps and pec muscles. His skin is smooth and blemish-free, his summer tan fading away as we move through November. Blond hair cascades down his stomach and disappears in his jeans. There’s a mole next to his belly button and veins that travel down his arms.

Starry-eyed, like I’ve never seen a man before. And, fuck, is Hudson a man.

The other things are very not good. Like the way I’m imagining what’s under his jeans. What his hands would feel like on my thighs and his mouth on my neck. If he’s as nice in the bedroom as Emmy claims, or if he’s someone else entirely.

“It’s not the only outlet. Ethan rides motorcycles. Grant carries around this small notebook but won’t tell us what is inside. He claims it’s to play tic-tac-toe with himself, but it’s obvious he’s lying. I’m wondering if he’s drawing or writing a book. Maverick spends most of his time obsessing over Emmy.”

“To the family you’re born with, and the family you meet along the way.”

“I’ll drink to that. Cheers, Madeline,” he says in a husk of a voice, and we might have a problem.

GIGGLING AND KICKING MY FEET

“The car scene.” Ethan slaps the table. “That was hot.” “And illegal,” I say. “My god, man. Have you ever had any fucking fun in your life? We know you’d never get a woman off while operating a motor vehicle, but you have to admit it was fun to read,” Ethan says.

“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,”

“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.

“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?”

Too soft for an athlete, an ex called me. You’re mature, but I want someone who’s a little wilder, another said.

FUCK ALL OF THEM

“Piper likes Madeline. And I love Piper. I’m not going to be happy if the woman I care about loses a friend because you can’t keep those precious hands of yours to yourself.”

“I knew that romantic guy was still in there.”

“What the fuck is up with that notebook you carry around with you?” “It’s full of numbers I get from girls,” he’s quick to say. “A way to keep track of their names.” “There’s no way you’re pulling that much pussy,” Ethan says. “Fuck you. I can pull whoever I want. I get plenty of action.”

“I come to book club to talk about books. Why? Because the last five years have been really fucking shitty for me, and this right here? This is what I look forward to every month. I get to hang out with my brothers and not think about hockey for a couple hours. It’s one of the only bright spots in my life right now, but I’m not going to stick around if this is how it’s going to be every month.”

“That’s Hannah, Grant’s sister. She’s a professional figure skater.”

“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.”

There are a lot of men in the world, but I’m learning there’s only one Hudson Hayes.

Not as entertaining as the book I’m reading right now. There’s accidental cannibalism in it lol.

Hes reading B&B!!!!!!

“We’re codependent, but we’re not that codependent,” Maverick says. “Speak for yourself,” Grant says.

are

On

me.”

Be

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. My breath catches. It feels like someone is squeezing my heart unbearably tight, and I pull my phone out of my purse so I can capture this moment.

“Come say good night, Mads.” Mads. I like that.

His gaze roams down my body, and he’s never looked at me like this. Intentionally, and without an hurry.

“Wow. You look—” He stops mid-sentence. His throat bobs around a swallow. “Incredible.” “I do?” “Yeah.”

“I like your shirt. Top. Thing.”

Hudson keeps his eyes on me as he drags his thumb across my skin. It’s torturously slow. Achingly tender, and I stopped breathing ten seconds ago. He goes from my cheek to my jaw to the pulse point on my throat, his touch lingering there.

I stopped breathing too

“Man. I wish I could’ve seen that. It sounds like a good night.” “Just missing you.” His fingers graze down my neck the tiniest amount before he drops his hand away.

I’m glad to have a few minutes with him, because I’m learning I miss him when he’s gone for too long.

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

How do you improve on the man who lets me and my daughter take over his condo? How do you top the guy who watches her so I can spend time with the women I’m becoming close with and treats her with respect and kindness? Is there another person out there who will clean up their dishes late at night, even though they’re exhausted? He’s not just a friend.

But seeing that joy radiating off of Maverick and Emmy… I think if I ever do feel like putting myself out there again, it would only be for a man who loves me wholly and deeply. With their entire soul, like we’re destined in the stars and I’m the only one in the world.

“It’s your turn, sweetheart. What are you thankful for?” I ask. “What made you happy this year?” Hudson’s doggies,

“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?”

SOBBING

“Hudson Hayes. In the middle of a shitty hockey game where we’re getting beat by people from fucking Florida.”

“What happened?” I look around the room then back at her. “Did someone do this to you?”

“Delicious dinners. My favorite cookies. You’re too good to me.”

It’s something I’ve never experienced before. I want to make sure she’s okay.

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.

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.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been happy like this. And I know you and Lucy are the reason why.”