Page 193 of Slap Shot

FIFTY-SIX

HUDSON

“I appreciateyou pulling double duty today,” Madeline says from the stove. She flips the eggs she’s making in the pan and grabs a bowl of green peppers. “Show and tell and then a playoff game? You’ve got a busy day.”

“Happy to do it.” I pop a bite of toast in my mouth and polish off my orange juice. “What time do I need to be at Lucy’s school?”

“It starts at one. I know you have morning skate, so if you’re a few minutes late?—”

“I’ll be there at twelve fifty-nine.” I smile and hop to my feet, giving the crust left on my plate. “What should I bring? My jersey? My Stanley Cup ring? Do kids even care about that stuff?”

“Bring whatever you want,” she tells me. “Seriously. You’re already making her whole year by agreeing to come by. Anything else is extra.”

I make a note to text our equipment manager on the way to the arena to see if we can sign two dozen pucks. They’re small enough for the kids to take home, and I like the idea of them having something tangible to keep from my visit.

“Y’all are coming to the game tonight, right?” I ask, and Madeline beams.

“Of course we are. Who cares if it’s a school night?” She grabs a plate from the cabinet, doling out the eggs for herself. “Lucy has a new jersey she’s excited to wear, and so do I.”

“It better not be Maverick’s.” I walk around the island so I can kiss her forehead. “You know how jealous I get.”

“Yeah.” She tugs on my shirt and brings my mouth close to hers. “I do. But you’re hot when you’re jealous. It kind of makes me want to find out who your biggest rival is and wear their jersey to the arena.”

“Easy there, romance reader. I don’t have any rivals, so you’re stuck wearing mine.”

“There are worse things in life.” Madeline smiles and kisses the corner of my mouth. “Have I told you today how grateful I am for you?”

“You did. When I handed you a coffee at six and you pulled the covers over your head. Is that still the case, Galloway?”

“Yeah. Seems like it.” She pauses, putting her hand on my cheek. “I don’t know what Lucy and I did to deserve finding you, but I’m so glad we did. Thank you for loving her like she’s yours. Thank you for treating us right. Thank you for giving me hope that good things are worth the wait.”

I smile and turn my head to the side. I want to scream out that I do it because I love her. That I’m head over fucking heels for her and would do anything she asked, but I know how this story goes.

She needs to be the one to say it first, not because I doubt her feelings for me, but because I love her so unbelievably much, the last thing I want to do is scare her away.

I’m patient. I’m perfectly content never hearing it. Madeline shows me she loves me in so many other ways, like how she stitched a pink ribbon for breast cancer on the inside of myjersey. In the way she sends me photos of her, Lucy, and the dogs whenever I’m away so I don’t get homesick.

The words would just be extra.

“There’s never going to be any doubt in your mind when I’m around, Maddie.” I kiss her forehead and pull away. “You still haven’t heard anything from Fark, have you?”

“Nope. My lawyer made a note of his behavior in case something like that ever happens again. I know it won’t, but I have to be safe. I have to protect Lucy. I’m kind of glad I saw him, though. It really proved howhappyI am without him. I’ve learned how to…” Madeline swallows. Her eyes meet mine. “To have those deep feelings again. That I’m capable of them. That Iwantthem.”

It’s the closest she’s come to anI love you, and it makes me feel like I’m on top of the world. So does her smile, and I swear to all that’s holy I don’t need anything else in life besides her.

“Do I make you happy?” I ask, voice low.

“You make me so happy, I could burst,” she whispers. “You make me so happy, I’m terrified because good things like this don’t last forever.”

“Hey.” I hold her to me, kissing the top of her head. “With us they do.”

“Yeah.” Madeline nods, resolute. “I think you’re right.”

“I’m going to head to the arena. I’ll see you in a few hours?”

I love you.

I love you, I love you, I love you.

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