Page 179 of Slap Shot

“It’s true,” Piper tells the group. “He came to me one night and said he wanted to learn. I’ve been helping him in between practices and games, but he’s done more than just that. He watches videos on our plane rides and meets virtually with aGallaudet student twice a week. He’s been really determined to communicate with Lucy, and I know how hard he’s worked to get there.”

My eyes well with tears.

It’s different hearing about this from Piper because she’s not underselling his effort. She knows the time and energy it takes to learn a new language—especially at our age—and hearing the ways he’s gone above and beyond makes me want to scream from the rooftops.

“I think I’m falling in love with him,” I blurt, and the four women blink at me.

“Obviously you’re falling in love with him,” Emmy says with a smile. “You two have been getting close for months now, and I see the way he looks at you when you come into a room.”

“He looks at you all the time,” Piper tells me gently. “I’m not sure there’s a moment when he’snotlooking at you.”

My mind is running a mile a minute. How long has he felt like this? As long as I have? Longer? Why hasn’t he said anything? Why haven’t I?

“I’m scared,” I admit. “Because of how much he means to me. Because I know what can happen on the other side. I need you all to tell me it’s going to be okay.”

“None of us can tell you that,” Maven says, voice gentle. “Relationships end. People fall out of love, and that’s scary to think about when you’re with someone you care about. But instead of thinking about the what-if, I think you need to figure out how you feel in the moment, you know? Are you happier when he’s around? Does your life feel more complete when he’s in it? If those things are true, all you can do is enjoy what you have while you have it.”

“I can’t do another heartbreak. And… and I won’t put Lucy through that. She’s attached to Hudson. She loves him so much, and I know he’d never intentionally do anything to hurt her—tohurt me,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper now. “I have to consider that when I’m thinking about long-term plans, and I’ve never had to do that before because I’ve never brought a man around her.”

“You’ve seen how Hudson is,” Piper tells me. “You’ve been around him for months. When he loves people, helovesthem with every part of himself. Is it a flaw? Maybe. But you know you’re never going to doubt his feelings for you.”

What they’re saying is true.

He wears his heart on his sleeve, and when he does something, he does it with all that he has.Nothing, not a single action of his, is a half effort.

I know his love for me would be the same. I know if we ever got to a point where things were strained, where the love wasn’t mutual and something needed to change, he wouldn’t let it fester into destruction. He wouldn’t walk out without talking with me, without giving every part of himself to what we had.

If we went down, we’d go down fighting like hell to stay afloat, and there’s a comfort in that.

He’s not Clark.

He’s not afraid, he’s not scared. He’s seen my past, the fears I carry, and he’s still here. He’s still the golden boy smiling at me like I’m the brightest star in the sky, and that might be enough.

“I think if I were to fall for anyone, it would be him. He… he learned sign language for a girl who isn’t his. Her own father wanted nothing to do with her, and here’s Hudson. Letting her paint his nails. Treating her like she’s a princess and not batting an eye. How could Inotlove him?” I croak.

“One time, some of the other players joined in when I was teaching Hudson some ASL,” Piper says. “You all should’ve seen him, Liam, Maverick, and Riley sitting around and talking with their hands. I think it’s important to remember there are men out there who would do things if they wanted to, and these guysdo. The title ofdaddoesn’t have to apply to the person who’s biologically attached to a kid. It can be someone else who’s willing to step up and fill that role.”

I close my eyes and imagine us ten years from now when Lucy is in high school. We’re sitting at the kitchen table and watching her get ready for a dance. We’re meeting the person she’s in love with and giving her advice on bad first kisses. Hudson tells her if the guy doesn’t bring her flowers, he’s kicking him to the curb. I tell her to protect her heart, but to not be afraid to live.

There’s more Christmases, more dogs, more memories. Laughter and tears and battles we’ll have to face together, and I can’t picture anyone else in that future besides him.

“Thank you for listening to me,” I say to the girls. “I know some people fall in love a half a dozen times in their life, but that’s never been me. And I want to make sure when I do, it’s right.”

“You deserve the world, Madeline,” Emmy says. “And a huge upgrade.”

“Emphasis on huge,” Lexi jokes, breaking the tension, and I laugh.

“He is all of that,” I tell them, and I wonder if there’s a video in my inbox waiting for me. I wonder if I’ll get to watch him bring himself to the brink of coming undone and then be the one to finish the job when I get home. “And more.”

He’s perfect.

God. I think I love him.

I think I love him with my whole heart.

“Hudson loves you, too,” Piper says. “And he’s going to be willing to wait for you until you’re absolutely sure.”

“Yeah.” I smile. “I know he would.”

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