Page 48 of Slap Shot

Nice game.

Me

You watched?

Madeline

Lucy turned it on, but she fell asleep after the first quarter. There was nothing else on TV, so I figured I’d keep it on and to learn.

Me

Did you learn?

Madeline

So much.

I fight back a laugh and rub my thumb over my bottom lip.

“What are you laughing at?” Maverick asks, pulling his jersey over his head. “Something Duke said?”

“Hm? Yeah,” I answer, not correcting him from thinking it’s my dad I’m talking to. “You know Duke.”

“Funny as always.” He strips off the rest of his gear and stands there in just his briefs. “Tell him I say hey.”

I nod and my fingers fly across the screen.

Me

What would you do if I told you hockey has periods, not quarters? And there are only three of them?

Madeline

That makes so much more sense.

Yay sports!

Me

I didn’t know everything when I started playing. I used to think figure skaters and hockey players used the same skates.

I found that out after I showed up to my very first practice in figure skates.

Madeline

I’m trying hard not to laugh, but I’m picturing you in a figure skating outfit.

Me

Laugh all you want. Wait till I tell you I go to figure skating classes in the off season with some of the guys. And the Pilates classes Lexi teaches downtown. It keeps us in shape. Liam also goes to ballet classes to help with his flexibility.

Madeline

Wow. There’s no such thing as toxic masculinity with you all, is there?

Me

Not at all. Just don’t look at our teeth.

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