Page 196 of Slap Shot
“I know,” I say, and she blinks at me with wide eyes. “Slow. And whenever you’re ready. I’m there, but I’m a patient, patient man, sweetheart.”
“Thank you. We can’t wait to cheer for you tonight.”
“I can’t wait to see y’all.” I kiss her forehead. “I need to run. I’m leaving the car so you can take it back to the condo when you’re finished here.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive.”
With a squeeze of her hand, I head for the door. I look back, finding Madeline smiling at me, and I hear those same three words.
I love you. I love you. I love you.
It might be a big game for us tonight, but I don’t care.
I’ll have those two in the stands, which means I already won.
FIFTY-SEVEN
MADELINE
April turns to May.The Stars are playing unbelievable hockey, winning their first round playoffs series in four games and earning an extra few days off before the next round.
Lucy is thriving at school, happy and settled and over the moon with the friends she’s made this year.
Hudson and I aregood. Every day we’re together, I come dangerously close to telling him how much I love him. It almost slipped out two nights ago when he was braiding my hair, wanting to learn how to style the long strands so he could help Lucy if she ever asked.
I chickened out, snapping my mouth closed and pretending like I had to hiccup.
From the smirk he tossed my way, I think he knows what I’m trying to say.
I like that he’s not rushing me, though.
He’s letting me do this on my terms, and I love him even more because of it.
I wake up to an empty bed on Sunday with sunlight streaming through the curtains. I pop up on an elbow and look around, wondering where Hudson is.
We don’t sleep separately anymore. Now that Lucy knows about us, he stays with me every night.
We just make sure to lock the door.
We fell asleep wrapped around each other last night, my leg thrown over his and his hand on my waist. I woke up in the middle of the night and kissed down his chest, smiling when he groaned and wrapped his fingers in my hair.
I tap my phone, shocked to see it’s past eight. It’s later than I normally sleep and I sigh, stretching my arms over my head. I’m reluctant to climb out of the warm sheets, but life must go on.
Before I can stand, a knock on the door makes me pause.
There are footsteps. A laugh followed by a softer giggle I’d recognize anywhere. I check to make sure my pajamas are back in place after Hudson took them off me last night and grin.
“Come in,” I call out, and the door flies open.
Lucy charges to me and jumps on the bed, arms wrapping around my neck.
Happy Mother’s Day, Mommy!
Oh, thank you, sweetheart.
I kiss the top of her head, laughing when she leans against me with such force, we tumble onto the pillows. I glance over at the door, finding Hudson there. He’s holding a tray stacked with plates and a cup of orange juice. There’s a single flower in a small vase, and when he smiles at me, I can’t help but smile back.
