Page 121 of Lucky Laces
We’re standing strong, no matter the shitstorm(s) coming our way.
And step one of that is coming out—officially—with the rest of the team.
Oh, my God.Theteam, which includes Pat and Duncan and Kane and?—
“I’m going to puke,” I mutter.
Huddy’s expression is soft and sweet.“No, you’re not.”
“I am.”
He cups both of my cheeks in his palms.“This isn’t just a fling or a fuck.This isus, remember?And that’s special enough we don’t give a fuck what anyone else thinks.”
“Right,” I agree, trying to keep those words close.Because I’ve said them.
I’ve meant them.
I just…didn’t think about having to abide by them while boarding the team’s plane.
“And you’re a badass who can handle stubborn, annoying hockey players,” he says gently.“The razzing will come.You know that’s part of the deal and you’ll take it for a bit and then you’ll put a stop to it with those drills that kick our ass and everyone will go back to business as usual.”
Razzing.Drills.Coaching.Business as usual.
I can do that.
I candothat.
“You’re right.”Exhaling, I push the nerves away and lift my chin, walking across the tarmac.“I just need to channel Coach Dee.”My lips twitch.“Andthose drills.”
“Since I give you orgasms, do I get out of the super shitty ones?”
“Absolutely not,” I say as we climb the stairs and step aboard.
He bursts out laughing and I’m so distracted by the gorgeous sound of it, I’m not worried anymore, or paying attention to the plane’s occupants.
I’m just me.
And Huddy’s right by my side.
His laughter fades and he leans close, lips at my ear.“I don’t think we have to worry about favoritism, DeeDee baby.”He kisses my temple and I’m suddenly aware that we’re inside the plane.
And it’s silent.
And that there are so, so many eyes on us.
My body tenses, but Hudson doesn’t retreat.He just whispers.“Should we make out and really give them something to talk about?”
I still.
Then I start laughing.“I think making out on the plane is worse than a shadowed corridor, honey.”
“Maybe you’re right.”A tug of my ponytail before he bends and brushes his lips over mine.“I’ll see you on the other side of the flight, DeeDee baby.”
And with that, he leaves me, heading to the back of the plane to join the rest of the players.
And I’m sitting down next to my coaching staff.
“Oh my God,” Kaitlyn—my assistant coach—says, her eyes wide but her smile wider.“I love him for you.He’s so dreamy and?—”
