Page 35 of Slap Shot

“Yeah.” His smile shifts to wistful. “They’re my best friends. I’ve called them in the middle of the night and they’ve answered. We celebrate birthdays and holidays with each other. When someone is going through a breakup, we’ll all sit on the couch and eat pints of ice cream together.” I laugh, and he accidentally nudges my knee with his. “I’m serious. I’d walk through a fire for them, and they’d do the same for me.”

“That’s sweet. I never knew if you all were people who happened to be on the same sports team, or if you actually got along.”

“We get along. When Emmy played on the Stars, I got in the first fight of my career when I found out what her ex said about her. I decked the asshole in the face, and I’ve never been more proud.”

“I wouldn’t peg you for a violent guy.”

“I’m not. But if you mess with someone who’s important to me…” Hudson trails off and shrugs. “We’re going to have a problem.”

“You’re protective.” I hum. “That’s a good trait to have.”

“That’s what I’m told.” His gaze cuts over to me. “I can’t believe how much Lucy looks like you.”

“She does, doesn’t she? My brown eyes. My dark hair. Her smile is mine, too.”

“I noticed. What’s it like to have a miniature version of yourself running around?”

“Slightly terrifying, but also my greatest accomplishment. I’m proud of a lot of things in my life, but Lucy takes the top spot.”

“I can see why.”

Mommy.Lucy climbs in my lap and rests her cheek against my chest.Can you ask him what his favorite color is?

“Lucy would like to know your favorite color,” I tell him.

He rubs his beard and taps his cheek. He pretends to be deep in thought, then he points at the grass. “Green,” he says, and I pass that along to Lucy.

That’s my favorite too!Will you ask him if we can be friends?

“Lucy would like to know if you want to be her friend,” I say to him, and the smile he gives me is his biggest one yet.

“Yes,” he says without hesitation. “I’d be honored.”

“He says yes.” I kiss Lucy’s forehead, and she giggles. “And he’s very excited about it.”

We spend another twenty minutes sitting together. I pass along Lucy’s questions to Hudson then answer for him. She yawns and rubs her eyes, and I know she’s getting tired. It’s been a long few days, and the last thing I want is for her to get burnt out.

“Do y’all want a ride back to Piper’s?” Hudson asks when Lucy closes her eyes.

“Thanks, but she needs a booster seat in the car. We’re okay with the Metro.” I push off the bench and hold her against my hip. She’s getting so big, but I love holding her. “I’ll be by late tomorrow morning, and we can get this rolling.”

“Big week in the Hayes’ household,” he says. “New roommates. Good food. I’m excited.”

“You are?” I ask.

“Yeah. I could use some fun in my life, and I can tell y’all are going to be great additions to the roster.”

“We’re excited too.” I give him a wave. “I’ll see you soon.”

Hudson stands and looks down at us, that smile still on his face. “Looking forward to it, knife girl.”

ELEVEN

HUDSON

Puck Kings

G-Money

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