Page 52 of Slap Shot
“Hudson is just fine. Beyond that, Hud. Huddy Boy. Hayes.” I shrug and let Lucy dictate our pace. Millie and Gus realize they’re on a short leash, and they don’t sprint ahead like theydo when we go out for a jog. “The internet calls me Blond Bombshell, but I’m not a huge fan of that one.”
“Blond Bombshell.” Madeline starts to laugh, and she covers her mouth. “Sorry. That’s—people actually call you that?”
“Don’t ever look at my social media comments. It’s a scary place.”
“Wow.” She opens the gate to the dog park, and I show Lucy how to unhook the leash from the collar. Gus and Millie take off across the grass, with Lucy not far behind. “I think I’ll stick with Hudson. That feels safe.”
I smile. I like how my name sounds coming from her. “Fine by me.”
“Hudson Blond Bombshell Hayes. You know what? I take it back. That is what I’m going to call you from now on. It’s too good.”
“Dammit. I should’ve kept my mouth shut.”
“You should’ve. Too late now, BB. You’ve got a nickname for life.”
“Watch your back, Madeline. I’ll think of something just as humiliating to call you.”
“I’d like to see you try, Bombshell. Oh.” Her laugh is loud, and she holds her side. “This is going to be so good.”
“Shut up.” I nudge her with my elbow, a move that makes her laugh even more. “We’re no longer friends.”
Madeline wipes a tear from under her eye. Her shoulders shake, and she tips her head back so she can look at me. “You’re stuck with me, hockey guy. Unless you want to go back to eating peanut butter for lunch.”
Her smile grows, and there’s an ache in my chest. The spot that’s been fractured for years feels warmer. Brighter. Like a stitch has gone through it. Like I’m being pulled back together.
“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.
FIFTEEN
MADELINE
I’ve never beenthe kind of person who likes to go out and party.
I respect the women who like to put on a cute dress and spend their night at the club. I admire their ability to stay up past ten, but after a week where Lucy had a field trip to the Pentagon and Hudson played three games in a row at home—which meant cooking three meals a day for six days straight—the blissful quiet of a Friday evening on the couch with my Chinese takeout and reality television sounds like a fuckingdream.
I curl my legs under me and sigh. Lucy fell asleep hours ago. Hudson is out with some of his teammates. The dogs are snoozing on the floor, and for the first time all day, no one needs me. I flip on the TV and relax into the cushions. One bite into my spring roll, my phone buzzes. A number I don’t recognize pops up on my screen and I slide the message open with a greasy finger.
*Unknown Number has added you to GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN(DAMENTAL RIGHTS) AND GOOD SEX*
Unknown Number
There we go. I added her!
Piper
Hi, Madeline! Welcome to the group chat!
Unknown Number
It’s Emmy.
Unknown Number
And Lexi!
Unknown Number
