Page 180 of Slap Shot

The conversation moves away from me to talking about Emmy’s team battling for a playoff spot. Maven tells us some ofher photos were picked up by AP for sports photographs of the year.

Piper gushes about the program she’s working on with the Stars’ management team, an internship program that focuses on young girls in sports and filling office roles with people other than white men. Lexi nervously shares thatSports Illustratedwants to do a write-up on her, highlighting her role as the first woman to hold the title of head athletic trainer in the NHL and the program she’s creating that helps rehabilitate athletes after accidents like ACL tears and acromioclavicular joint injuries.

I’m proud to sit beside them. I’m honored to call them my friends, and I know no matter what happens with Hudson, I’ve fallen in love with four women I’ll have in my corner for the rest of my life.

FIFTY-TWO

MADELINE

“You sure lookfancy in your suit,” I tell Hudson from the couch, and he tosses a grin my way.

“You flirting with me, Galloway?”

“Maybe. Blue is definitely your color. It matches your eyes.”

“You’re going to make me blush.” He fixes his tie and grabs his bag, sliding a beanie on his head. “You have the tickets I sent you, right?”

“Yup. I already downloaded them. Thank you for changing our seats again. Lucy is determined to figure out what spot in the arena she likes best. I think it’s going to be against the glass like the last game we went to, but only time will tell. I smile at him and rest my elbow on the cushions. “I hope you have a great game.”

“I’ve got you to look at in the stands. Of course it’s going to be a good night.” He bends down to kiss me, and I grab his collar so he can’t get away. He laughs against my mouth, kissing me again. “Mav is picking me up so you and Lucy can take the car to the arena. I’ll ride back with y’all after.”

“You know she’s going to want to stop for a treat on the way home.”

“Girl after my own heart.” Hudson moves his lips to my forehead, kissing my bangs. “Call if you have any trouble getting in, okay?”

“We will. And don’t be mad at Lucy if she’s not wearing your jersey tonight,” I add when he heads for the door. “She has a new obsession with Grant.”

“As long as you show up wearing my name, I’m happy. See you soon, sweetheart.”

Hudson flashes me one more grin, gives the dogs a pat on the head, then slips out the door. I watch him go, giddiness bubbling inside me at the thought of seeing him again in action tonight.

Lucy skips into the living room decked out in her Stars gear, and she hands over a hairbrush.

Could you do braided pigtails?

Of course, baby.I pat the floor in front of me and she sits.Do you want them high on your head above your ears? Or down low?

High, please,she tells me, and I smile.We get to see Hudson play tonight, right?

I set the brush down and lean forward so she can see me.We do. I think he’s going to have a great game, don’t you?

He’s the best. The Stars are going to win the Stanley Cup!

I laugh at her enthusiasm, braiding the left side of her hair and loving how much she looks like me even from the back. I attach the hair tie then move to the right side, making quick work of it until she’s ready to go.

We’re going to leave in an hour so we can get there early and watch the warmups, I tell her.

Can we get chicken tenders, too?

’Course we can, baby.

She’s always had an elevated palate for a kid. Last night, she stole some of Hudson’s honey sriracha chicken, but every nowand then, she wants to take it back to basics. Chicken tenders, hot dogs. Frozen pizza and frozen vegetables, and I’ll never deny her a meal just because I didn’t make it.

I spend the next hour feeding the dogs and taking them on a short walk with Lucy by my side. She makes me watch clips from the last time the Stars played the Hurricanes. It was the night Hudson got hurt, and I fast forward through the video that shows his injury so she can’t see him lying on the ice.

When we get to the arena, we grab some food and head to our seats halfway up the section. Lucy settles in and waits patiently for the guys to come out for warmups, and when they take the ice, she jumps up and down.

I like being closer to the ice more, Mommy.

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