Page 200 of Slap Shot

“Maybe. They’ll call me the Comeback Kid.”

“Oh, I like that. But I’m sorry to be the one to break it to you, hockey guy. You’re not a kid anymore.”

“Shucks.” He kisses my throat, his lips warm on my skin. “I’ll think of something else.”

“Are you okay? We can talk about the game more if you want. I’ll nod and make it seem like I understand what you’re talking about.”

“No.” Hudson smiles and points at my knife. “I want you to do your trick again.”

I groan, pretending like it’s a big deal, but inside, I’m grinning. “Fine. But I’m going to need to hear the word please.”

“Please, Maddie,” he says. “For me?”

“I’d do anything for you,” I tell him softly. I spin the knife again, and I love how his attention makes me warm and happy. “And on your worst days, I’m going to be right here, whenever you need me.”

“I love you,” he says, looking brighter than before, and I’ll never get tired of hearing it.

FIFTY-NINE

HUDSON

“I thinkI’m more nervous to meet your parents than I am for game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals tonight.” I rifle through my gear bag and try to find my mouthguard. “Sorry I’m only going to get a few minutes with them before I have to head to the arena.”

“Pretty sure playing in one of the biggest games of your career is a valid excuse for not having hours to spend with them.” Madeline rubs the counter with a paper towel for the tenth time in five minutes. “And they’re going to love you.”

“Yeah? Is that why you’re still cleaning the same spot?” I grin and zip up my bag before rounding the island and wrapping my arms around her. “Are you sure they’re not going to think I’m an idiot because I hit a puck for a living?”

“What? No.” She frowns and touches my chest. “They don’t care about that. You could be unemployed and it wouldn’t matter. You love me. You love Lucy. And that’s what is important to them.”

“Damn, Galloway.” I slide my hands in the back pocket of her jeans, squeezing her ass. “You’re going to make me get emotional over here.”

“Shut up.” Madeline kisses my jaw and pulls away. “And stop feeling me up. They’ll be here any minute.”

“Yes, chef,” I murmur, grinning when her cheeks turn pink.

Lucy runs into the kitchen and I lift her off the ground. She giggles and sticks her hands out to the side like a helicopter, and I spin us around until I start to feel dizzy.

Are you excited your grandparents are coming to visit,Luce? I ask her, and she nods.

Grams and Gramps are the best.They let me eat cookies before lunch.

They do?We’re going to get along.

There’s a knock on the door, and I set Lucy down. She takes off, and I reach for Madeline’s hand.

“I love you,” I tell her.

“I love you too.” She gives me a wide smile and pulls me into a hug. “And I’m serious when I say my parents will adore you.”

“Did they like Clark?” I ask, teasing her.

“No.” Madeline snorts. “My dad thought he was a pretentious bore.”

“I love your dad already.”

The front door opens, and I do one final check around the kitchen to make sure it’s neat and organized. I fix my shirt, smoothing my hands over the front and hoping there aren’t any wrinkles.

Two people who look just like Madeline walk into the kitchen with Lucy holding their hands, and I grin at them.

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