Page 64 of Slap Shot

“Yeah. I don’t think I’m going to be able to get Lucy to leave anytime soon.” I smile as she gets a high five from one of the players. “And that’s fine by me.”

“Good. I’m going to say hi to some people, but I’ll catch up with you later.” Hudson smiles at me again. “I’m serious, by the way. You did really well for your first time.”

“Thanks.” I tuck a piece of hair behind my ear. “Having a good teacher helps.”

With one more glance my way, Hudson takes off. He makes sure to stop and give Lucy a high five too, and seeing the way he makes a point to include my daughter has my heart growing three sizes.

There are a lot of men in the world, but I’m learning there’s only one Hudson Hayes.

EIGHTEEN

HUDSON

“Good morning.”I yawn and give Madeline a wave when she looks up from the eggs she’s whisking. “You’re up early.”

“Morning.” She smiles and turns on the stove. “The thunderstorm kept me up last night, so I decided to make breakfast instead of tossing and turning.”

I yawn again and start the coffee maker. “Same. I don’t mind the rain, but I could do without the lightning every five seconds. It was bright with the curtains closed, and the dogs were freaking out.”

“Oh, no. The lightning scared Lucy too. I held her in my bed for an hour or two before she finally fell asleep.”

“Next time we should make a fort in the living room and have a party.”

“I like that idea.” She sets a pan on the burner and grabs a spatula. “You’re heading to the arena early today, right? If you give me a few minutes, I’ll have some scrambled eggs ready for you.”

“Coach canceled practice. Guess he lost power and decided to let us relax today. He also gave us off the day after Friends and Family night. Don’t remember the last time I had this much free time, so there’s no rush.”

“That’s a nice surprise.”

“Don’t be fooled. He’s going to kick our asses to high heaven tomorrow,” I say.

“Okay. Maybe it’s not a nice surprise.” Madeline laughs. “What do you have planned for your unexpected day off?”

“You’re going to think I’m dull.”

“Now you have to share. Come on, hockey boy. Tell me.”

“I’m going to go to the bookstore then catch up on a few emails from my agent. He wants me to do a marketing campaign with a protein drink company, but the shake they sent me is disgusting. I gagged when I tried it the first time, and I have to figure out a way to politely decline the sponsorship they’re offering.”

“Send a video of you hurling. That’ll get the message across,” she says.

“God. I don’t want to know whatthosecomments would say.” I pull down two mugs from the cabinet behind her and fill them each with coffee. I add a splash of milk and half a spoon of sugar, remembering the way she made it the morning she threw a banana at my head. “Coffee for you.”

“Thank you.” Her smile is wide and bright, and she takes a sip of the caffeine. “Fuck. This is good.”

“Right? Feels like I’m drinking more and more of it this season. I think I’m getting old.” I take a sip from my own mug. “What are you doing today? How do you and Lucy spend your weekends without school?”

“My list is a mile long. I need to do Lucy’s laundry and put together the dollhouse I got her. My muscles are still sore from skating, and the last time I washed my hair was when you came home from your food fight. Soaking under hot water until my skin is red sounds like heaven. I also wanted to get my hair cut, but there’s no way that’s going to happen.”

“I can put the dollhouse together.”

“That’s okay. It shouldn’t take long. The instructions said only one person is needed, so that gives me some hope.” Her phone dings on the counter, and she taps her screen. “Shit. I forgot I signed Lucy up for story time at the library later today, after soccer. It’s the only time slot with an interpreter, and I don’t want her to miss it. She loves story time. Hair washing will have to wait.”

“Would—I could—” I clear my throat. “If you’re comfortable with it, I could take Lucy to soccer and the library. It would give you some time to yourself. To wash your hair and put together the dollhouse. Or, you know, anything else you want to do.”

Madeline eyes me, and I think I might’ve crossed a line.

I don’t know many people with children.

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