Page 17

SEVENTEEN

MADELINE

I tie my apron around my waist and smile at the food spread out on the counter.

I always love this part of my job: mise en place. Getting my hands on the ingredients I’ll be using and bringing my visions to life.

It’s when everything goes from an idea, a concept in my planner to a full plate of food, and I’m still pinching myself I get to create dishes in a kitchen as nice as Hudson’s.

I start the playlist I like to listen to when I’m knocking out smaller tasks like cutting onions. Cooking meat and shredding carrots, and I hum as T. Rex fills the space around me.

“I never would’ve pegged you as an English rock band fan,” Hudson says, and I look up from the head of lettuce I’m slicing in half. “And ‘Jeepster’ too? Solid choice, KG.”

“Seems like you judged too quickly, hockey guy.” I laugh. “I like the tempo. It’s not too fast where I feel like I’m going to start sprinting around the kitchen, but it also keeps me on my toes.”

“It’s part of the creative process, huh?”

“Exactly. It also makes the food taste better.”

“What are you making?” he asks, joining me at my side.

“Right now? A salad. After this? I’m tackling the vegetables for the week. Broccoli for your pregame meal of chicken and rice. Brussel sprouts for your postgame meal. Some tomatoes, too.”

“I’m going to throw a wrench in your plans and ask if you’re busy tonight.”

“I live with my six-year-old daughter and I’m in a city where I barely know anyone. I am, shockingly, not busy tonight.”

“Good. The team does this thing every year called Friends and Family night. It’s an event where players bring—guess what—their friends and family to the arena for a night of skating and hanging out. I thought you and Lucy could come.”

“Sounds fun.” I brush the hair out of my eyes with my arm. “Lucy’s never skated before. I haven’t either. It might be a recipe for disaster.”

“Skating isn’t required, and it’s a pretty low-pressure event. I even bring the dogs. Gus and Millie love the ice.”

“Is it safe? Do the players move around like they do in games and slam each other into the wall? Lucy might get trampled.”

“I won’t let her get trampled. And the guys are all really chill. Half of them are trying to get the attention of someone’s friend or cousin. They won’t be skating like lunatics. What do you think?”

I weigh the invitation even though I know what I’m going to say.

Lucy’s been begging me for skating lessons since Emmy entered the league. She keeps telling me she’s going to be the second woman in the NHL, and I’ve held off on signing her up for any classes.

I’m not sure I can do that any longer. She sees Hudson’s gear and lights up, asking me a dozen questions about sticks and pads and helmets that I don’t have the answers to.

It’s not because I don’t think she’s capable. Lucy is the most coordinated kid I’ve ever met. Determined, too. I’m sure if she laced up a pair of skates, she’d be unstoppable on the ice.

I’m just… afraid. Terrified of something bad happening to her, because she’s my everything . I can’t imagine a world without her in it, and a contact sport with sharp blades sounds like a parent’s worst nightmare.

But it’s her life.

She’s going to do a hundred things I’m not onboard with over the next fifty years, and I’d never want her to think she doesn’t have my full support when she wants to chase her dreams.

“Okay.” I exhale, and there’s a heavy weight sitting on my chest when I give him a tentative smile. “Let’s do it. Would you mind showing Lucy the ropes? If I knew how to balance, I’d be out there with her.”

“I’d love to.” His grin stretches wider, and he lifts a shoulder. “But when she sees Emmy, she’ll probably want a lesson from her instead.”

“Lucy would freak . Is that something Emmy would do?”

“Without a doubt.” He checks his phone and groans. “I need to run. I scheduled a stretching session with Lexi, and if I’m late, she’s going to torture me. I’ll text you directions to the arena. Come by whenever you want.”

“Okay.” My smile matches his. “We’ll see you tonight.”

The arena is buzzing with energy. There are dozens of people skating around the Stars logo in the center of the ice and more mingling in the front row of seats. The glass that’s usually up during games has been put away, letting the skaters stop and chat with folks on the side of the rink.

Wow! Lucy grins. Look at how close we are!

Guess what? Hudson told me he’s going to teach you how to skate , I tell her, and her eyes get wide. And Emerson Hartwell is going to be here .

She is? Lucy scans the building, tugging on my sweater. I don’t see her .

We’ll see if we can find her . Let’s get you some skates first .

We head around the curve of the rink to the opposite tunnel. Lucy makes me stop every five feet or so to point out things she’s seen on TV this year: the large screen above the ice. The bench where the players sit and the penalty box. I nod when she tells me how this arena is different from the one back in Las Vegas, how it’s newer and nicer.

I love that she pays attention to details.

“You’re here!” Piper exclaims when we get to the other side of the rink. She hugs me tight, then bends to give Lucy a hug. When “Hudson told me you two were coming, I was so excited. This is my favorite night of the year ,” she says using SimCom, and I appreciate her inclusion of my daughter.

“I can see why. It’s so nice they do this for everyone,” I answer, and my attention snags on a woman in the middle of the rink doing spins and jumps. She’s in a black skirt with leg warmers covering her calves, and I can’t stop watching her. “ She’s so good . Is she a hockey player too? Look at her spin, Luce .”

She looks like a ballerina!

“Who?” Piper follows my gaze. “That’s Hannah, Grant’s sister. She’s a professional figure skater.” She smiles at my daughter and transitions to only signing. What size shoe do you wear , Lucy?

Twelve . I’ve never skated before .

I haven’t either , I add. Hudson said he’d help her .

I’m going to go so fast with him!

Lucy stands against the boards and watches everyone on the ice. Piper has a quick conversation with the man handing out equipment and grabs a pair of small black skates along with a helmet.

“He should be over in a minute,” she says. “I can take her until he gets here. I’m not great, but I can keep us upright.”

“She’s lying,” a deep and familiar voice says. I turn, and Hudson pulls up to a stop in front of us in a hoodie and jeans. He leans on the half-wall with a grin. “Piper is a liability when she’s on skates.”

“I’ve gotten better,” she challenges. “I didn’t fall when I did a lap with you all after practice last week.”

“Liam pulled you the whole time. Of course you didn’t fall.” He glances at me. “Hey, KG.”

“Hey, hockey guy.”

“I’m glad y’all are here. Does Lucy still want to learn how to skate?”

“She does, and she’s very excited to go fast with you,” I say. “Just… not too fast, okay?”

“I promise I’ll keep things controlled. Under sixty miles an hour,” he teases. “If I’m going to teach Lucy, I’m going to have to touch her. I’ll have to hold her hand and put my arms around her so she learns how to balance. Are you comfortable with that?”

“I am.” I nod, chest pinching tight with his check in. “Thanks for asking. You two have fun. I’m going to watch from here.”

“I can skate next to you and interpret directions to Lucy?” Piper directs her offer to Hudson. “So she’s aware of what’s going to happen.”

“You know I love teamwork.” Hudson points to a row of seats and jumps over the boards with ease. “I’ll lace up her skates.”

“ Let’s go over here , baby , so Hudson can get you in your skates ,” I say.

He’s really good at that, isn’t he? Lucy asks, and I smile.

“ Very good . And he’s going to take care of you while I sit and watch .”

Lucy drops into a chair and swings her legs back and forth. Hudson buckles her helmet then crouches on his knees to untie her sneakers. He takes her left foot and rests it on his thigh, making quick work of slipping off her shoes and slipping on her skate.

His fingers knot then double knot the strings into a neat bow. He turns her ankle to the left and then the right, giving a satisfied nod.

“The skate should be snug, but not painful. We also don’t want her foot moving around inside it,” Hudson tells me.

“ Does that feel okay , Luce? ” I ask, and he waits before moving to the next skate. “ Do your toes hurt ? Can you wiggle your foot around ?”

Lucy makes a face then smiles. It feels like a glove for my toes!

“ She said it feels like a glove ,” I interpret, and Hudson nods again.

“That’s perfect.”

Five minutes later, Lucy stands on wobbly feet. She grips Hudson’s arm and he helps her to the ice, keeping his eyes on her and directing a group of guys in Stars gear away from them so they have plenty of space.

Piper follows the pair, explaining to Lucy about her head and shoulders and keeping her feet close together. Hudson skates backward in front of Lucy and holds her hand while he moves at a slow speed that seems effortless.

I dig my phone out of my pocket and record them making their first lap around the rink. They take their time, pausing every few minutes so Piper can mention another tip and Hudson can move them a little faster.

By the time they get back to me, Lucy is smiling from ear to ear. Her cheeks are pink and she’s practically tugging on Hudson’s sleeve to keep going.

Did you see me, Mommy? I’m flying!

“ You’re so fast, I can hardly see you out there ,” I say. “ How do the skates feel? Are you warm enough? ”

I’m sweating like I’m at recess!

I laugh and reach over the wall so I can unzip her jacket. “ Is that better? ”

Much . Can I do another lap?

“ Hudson might need a break ,” I say, and he shakes his head.

“I’m good. Does she want to go again?”

“ Another lap ,” I tell him.

“ I could take Lucy to meet Emmy? ” Piper suggests, and Lucy claps. “ Should we go see the coolest girl in the world , Luce? ”

Yes! Can I go, Mommy?

“ Of course you can, sweetie .” I kiss the top of her head and fix her beanie. “ Make sure you show her your jersey , okay? ”

“Let me know if you need help, Little P,” Hudson says, and she nods.

Lucy is less stable with Piper by her side, but she stays upright. They get over to Emmy, and I laugh when Lucy throws her arms around Emmy’s legs.

“Should I be concerned by how willing my daughter is to go places with people who aren’t me?” I ask Hudson.

“Nah. Means you’ve taught her how to be a good judge of character.” He taps the half-wall with his knuckles. “Want to do a lap?”

“I mean we can, but I don’t want to injure you. Or myself. I might turn into a human bowling ball and take out half the team.”

“That’s not going to happen.”

“And if it does?”

“Then I’ll yell strike and we move along.”

I laugh. “Fine. But no making fun of my horrible technique.”

“Scouts honor.” He holds up three fingers and gives me a salute. “What size shoe do you wear?”

“A nine,” I tell him, and he heads to the equipment booth to grab a pair of skates. “Is this the part where I have to strip down to my socks? And before you buy me dinner? Scandalous.”

Hudson lowers himself to his knees again and sits back on his heels. “Take the shoes off, Galloway.”

I find an open chair and take off my sneakers. “You’re sure on the ground a lot tonight.”

“I don’t mind.” His mouth hitches up in a smirk. “There are worse places to be.”

My skin flushes hot at the idea of him on his knees somewhere else—like in his room—and I clear my throat. “Do I tie them like a regular shoe?”

“Kind of. You want them tight so you have a good base, and I always double knot. The more your ankle caves in or out, the more off-balance you’re going to be. We don’t want any movement.”

“Are those professional hockey terms?”

“Yup.” Hudson grins, and I’m treated to the sight of his dimple. He wraps his fingers around my ankle, guiding my foot into the skate. He yanks on the laces, working methodically from the toe to the heel. He repeats the motion with my other foot then taps my shin. “How do those feel?”

“Um. Heavy?”

“That’s normal.”

“So I’m supposed to think I’d sink to the bottom of a lake if I got tossed into one? Noted,” I say.

When he raises a brow, I mime zipping my lips and tossing the key. He chuckles, then continues. “When we get on the ice, I don’t want you to think about picking up your foot like you’re taking a step. I want you to think about pushing the ice and gliding away. Does that make sense?” he asks.

“Oh, sure. Totally,” I say, and he helps me to my feet. “I could suit up for a game tomorrow night.”

Hudson hops over the small lip that leads to the ice and looks at me. “You’re going to be great.”

My foot almost slips out from under me when I enter the rink. I grab the half-wall beside me and hold on for dear life. “This was a very bad idea. I haven’t updated my will. I haven’t seen the Grand Canyon or the Great Barrier Reef yet. I’m too young to die.”

Hudson holds out his hand. “I won’t let anything happen to you,” he says in an even-keeled voice.

“Do you promise?”

“I promise, Madeline,” he murmurs. “I’ve got you.”

I blow out a breath and lace our fingers together, believing him. “Okay.”

He gently moves me away from the wall. My legs shake, and I hunch forward. There’s a red mark on the ice that looks suspiciously like blood, and I wonder who injured themselves here.

I’ll probably be next.

“Try standing up straight. There you go. That’s perfect.” Hudson smiles when I roll my shoulders back. “And try to look up, not down. Don’t you want to stare at my handsome face?”

“No offense to your supposedly handsome face, Bombshell, but looking down means I can see if I’m about to fall.”

“I’ll catch you before that happens.”

“I don’t want to hit my head,” I admit, and Hudson moves closer to me until our sides are pressed together. Until I can smell his cologne and the hint of toothpaste. He loops an arm around my waist and secures himself to me. “That’s what I’m most afraid of.”

“A reasonable fear. It took me weeks to learn how to get from one end of the ice to the other without falling. Now it’s second nature. In this position, if you fall, I’ll fall too. And I’ll soften the blow for you, Madeline.”

“That’s so chivalrous.” I try to focus my attention on other things around us: Gus and Millie sliding on their bellies. A group of guys eating hot dogs and chatting on the players’ bench. A man in jeans and a black T-shirt watching Grant’s sister do another pirouette with the hint of a scowl on his face. “If I die, tell my daughter I love her.”

“I’m not going to let you die. Who would make me dinner every night?”

“You know how to pop leftovers in the microwave, don’t you?”

“Debatable,” he says, and I laugh.

The longer we skate, the less stress I carry. My body unravels with every lap we do. I can tell I’m relaxing, and Hudson’s grip on me never wavers. Half an hour and no collisions later, we stop next to Piper, Emmy, and Lucy, who’s almost jumping up and down.

I’m doing so well! I haven’t fallen!

“ She is really good ,” Piper adds, and Emmy nods.

“You should get her into lessons. She’s a lightning bolt on the ice. It helps that kids are so fearless,” Emmy says, “but I can tell she’s has natural skills.”

“She didn’t learn it from me.” I gesture at the mark on Hudson’s arm I left behind from gripping him so tight. “I’m fighting for my life out here.”

“You’re doing just fine,” he says. “Are you going to hang out for a bit?”

“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.