Page 24 of Slap Shot
“Thank you. Thank you so much. This is so kind of you. I need to… to do a lot of things, honestly.” She plays with the strings of her apron, a bright laugh falling from her. “I need to find a place to live here in DC. I have to pack up my apartment and move my daughter across the country. I need to find schooling for her and—” Her eyes cut back over to me. “When would you like me to start?”
“When would you like to start? I’ve been surviving off nachos I make in the microwave.” I take another bite of the Crunchwrap and wonder if this is going to be my life now. Delicious foodmade by someone who makes me laugh and might even be a new friend. “I can last another week or two.”
“Could I have two weeks? That will let me get everything figured out with my daughter, and then you’ll have my full attention.”
“Lucy, right?” I ask, and the way Madeline lights up at the mention of her is nothing short of magnificent.
Her eyes sparkle and her shoulders roll back. Her smile is full of joy and love, and I bet her daughter is the best kid in the world.
“That’s right. She’s a big fan of the team, so I apologize in advance for the dozens of questions she’s going to ask.” Her eyes drift to the dogs. “She’s also going to love Gus and… what was her name?”
“Millie. And I’ll answer any questions she has. Speaking of apartments, y’all are welcome to stay here if you want. Road games take me away from home for long stretches of time, and the place will be empty anyway. I have plenty of space.”
“You’d be okay with a six-year-old running around here?”
“Can’t be worse than my teammates running around. I had some of the guys over during the summer, and one of them ended up with ten stitches on his forehead because he hit the corner of the coffee table when he was being an idiot. Which I’m now realizing makes it sound like my apartment is a death trap, and I can get a new piece of furniture.”
Madeline grins. “Thanks for the offer. I’ll see how the apartment search goes, and I’ll let you know. Lucy’s never lived with a man before, but I’ll keep it in mind.”
There’s a story there. One about her ex and who I’m assuming is Lucy’s dad. I want to know what happened, but it’s not my place to ask. If she wants to tell me, she’ll tell me on her terms, and that’s fine by me.
“You know where I’ll be.” I point to the uneaten food in the pan. “Make yourself a plate. We can talk about schedules while we have lunch.”
“Thanks.” Madeline sets a portion for herself on her plate. A happy sigh falls out of her when she leans over the counter and takes a bite. “Fuck, that’s good.”
“Bury me with these when I die.” I finish my lunch and sit back on my stool. “I think this is going to be the start of a beautiful partnership.”
She gives me another smile, a sly and coy one that does something to my chest. “I couldn’t agree more, hockey guy.”
EIGHT
MADELINE
Me
Thank you so much for the tickets to DC. First class too? I feel spoiled.
Hudson
I’m still dreaming about that Crunchwrap. And the plate of brownies I ate in two days. If there was a private plane that would get you back here faster than commercial, I would’ve put you on it.
Me
I’m getting the sense food is your love language.
Hudson
What gave it away?
Me
Wait until you try my gnocchi soup. You’re going to lose your mind.
Hudson
Counting down the minutes.
Y’all are staying with Piper for a few days, right?
