Page 22

TWENTY-TWO

MADELINE

Every corner of Maverick and Emmy’s apartment is full of people.

It’s loud.

It’s crowded.

It’s perfect.

Piper swooped in, handed me a glass of wine, and stole Lucy thirty minutes ago. When I last checked on them, she was showing my daughter Emmy’s wall of framed jerseys, and I’ve never seen Lucy’s eyes so big with wonder.

I already decided I’m going to get her skating lessons as a Christmas gift. There’s no way I can get through the holiday season without her asking for more time on the ice.

“Dinner in five minutes,” Maverick yells. He snaps his fingers at a redheaded guy standing near the coffee table in the living room and scowls. “Ethan, I swear to god, if you get a drop of ketchup on my rug, you’re never allowed to eat here again.”

“Aye, aye, Captain,” the guy says with a mouth full of food.

“Ladies and kids will go first, then it’s a free for all after that. Last four people to grab a plate are on cleanup duty,” Maverick adds, and the dark-haired guy wearing glasses next to me groans.

“Not fair. I’m always slow,” he grumbles before glancing my way. “Hi. I’m Riley. I got here late and didn’t have a chance to meet you.”

“Madeline.” I smile. “Nice to meet you.”

“You’re Hudson’s chef, right?”

“You’re the eighth person to come up to me and know who I am. I have no clue who any of you are. But, yeah. I am. That’s me.”

“Because they’re annoying as hell,” Hudson says. He flicks Riley’s ear then drapes his arm over his shoulder. “And hardly worth mentioning.”

“Wow. See if I back your ass up at the game on Saturday,” Riley says.

“You will when you find out we brought pumpkin and pecan pie, plus a pumpkin roll, apple spice cake with cream cheese icing, and sugar cookies courtesy of Madeline here. Snickerdoodles are my favorite, but I know I’m going to be a convert once I try these.”

“Whoa.” Riley gapes at me. “You made all of that from scratch?”

“I did,” I say. “Hudson’s kitchen suffered in the process, and I’m pretty sure I’m never going to get the pumpkin stains out of his quartz countertops.”

“Worth it,” Hudson says with a grin. “Everything is fucking delicious.”

“How have you not gained ten pounds?” Riley hits Hudson’s stomach, and he keels over with a moan. “You’re going to turn into a big boy soon, Hayes.”

“I’m already a big boy, Mitchy,” he tosses back, hooking his arm around Riley’s neck. “I could level you on the ice if I wanted.”

“Boys,” Lexi says, joining our conversation, and Riley stands up straight. He fixes his shirt and runs a hand through his hair. “Why the hell are you terrorizing Madeline? She’s a guest. She doesn’t want to watch you two act like idiots.”

“It’s kind of fun,” I admit.

“Come on. Let’s get our food before these heathens take it all,” Lexi teases as she leads me to the kitchen. “I’m so glad you’re here. I know it can be overwhelming at first, so feel free to tap out in the guest room down the hall if you need a few minutes to yourself.”

“Thank you.” I adjust the hem of my corduroy skirt and wave to Lucy and Piper who are loading a plate up with turkey and mashed potatoes. “Hudson said there would be a lot of people here, but I wasn’t expecting this . It’s packed.”

“The guys try to do team dinners once a week, and when we get to the holidays, it’s a whole production. It’s nice of Maverick and Emmy to include everyone. I’ve been the person sitting in a hotel room alone on Thanksgiving wishing I could be surrounded by loved ones. This side of things is way more fun.”

“How long have you worked for the Stars?”

“I’ve only been with them a couple years. I was with an AHL team in Oklahoma before coming to DC. Getting promoted to head athletic trainer is a recent development, but I’ve put in a lot of time to get here.”

“I don’t doubt it. It’s amazing what the guys put their bodies through night after night. Keeping them healthy must be a hell of a feat.”

“Some more than others.” Lexi hands me a silverware roll-up and a plate. “Make sure to get a slice of the garlic bread. Riley made it, and it’s surprisingly good.”

“He seems like a nice guy.” I add salad and a pour of dressing to my plate then move on to the bread and rolls. “He doesn’t wear glasses when he plays, does he?”

“This is the first time I’ve seen him in glasses.” She glances over her shoulder, and I wonder who she’s looking for. “I had no idea he was a contact lens guy.”

I lose Lexi in the dessert line and wander over to find a spot in the dining room. Lucy is next to me at the long table that’s been set up, with Piper and Liam on her other side. She keeps giggling at the cat photos Liam shows her on his phone, and his smile gets bigger and bigger every time she asks him to swipe to a new picture.

“Mind if I sit here?” Hudson asks, pointing at the seat to my right.

“I wouldn’t mind at all. Get comfortable, Bombshell.”

He laughs and folds his large body into the seat. His knee presses against mine under the table, and he keeps it there while he gets settled. “How does everything taste so far?”

“Delicious. How much of this is homemade?” I ask around a bite of turkey.

“Your desserts, and that’s it.”

“Lexi said Riley made the garlic bread.”

“Okay. That’s two things. Everyone relied on store-bought stuff, dishes they ordered from restaurants, or their chefs made it.”

I look around the room that’s full of laughter and energy. Maverick and Emmy are at the head of the table, smiling at each other in a secret way none of us are privy to. Eight other players take up the opposite side of the table, and all of them are eating like their lives depend on it.

“Did anyone else bring their chef? I met most of the players.”

“No,” Hudson says. “But I consider you more than that. We’re friends now, don’t you think?”

“Yeah.” I watch him wipe his thumb—the same thumb that touched my cheek—on his napkin. Heat inundates my body, and I take a sip of my water. “I do.”

“Huh.” His dimple pops when he smiles. He scoots an inch closer to the table, and, inadvertently, me. “You don’t sound too sure. Guess I need to do a better job at showing you you’re not just an employee. That I appreciate you.”

I’m trying to imagine a version of him that’s better than who he is right now, and I’m coming up short.

How do you improve on the man who lets me and my daughter take over his condo? How do you top the guy who watches her so I can spend time with the women I’m becoming close with and treats her with respect and kindness? Is there another person out there who will clean up their dishes late at night, even though they’re exhausted?

He’s not just a friend.

I don’t know how he’s done it, but in the two months I’ve known him, he’s made himself one of my best friends, and I’m happier because of it.

“You do plenty,” I say. “I’m glad I get to be here. With your teammates. With Lucy. With you. Thank you for saying I should come.”

His smile grows, and he taps the spot on the table between us. “I’m glad you’re here too.”

“Listen up, everyone.” Maverick scoots back in his chair and stands. “You all know what time it is.”

“Oh, no,” I whisper to Hudson. “Is this a human sacrifice thing? Do you all drink blood and that’s why you’re so fast on the ice?”

“You should come to book club,” he whispers back. “Grant would love to chat your ear off about dark romances.”

I laugh and scoop Lucy into my lap. I want her close so I can interpret for her, even if it’s going to be difficult for me to keep up with whatever speech Maverick is about to give.

The potatoes were so good , Mommy.

Weren’t they ? I could’ve had a whole plate .

“We’re going to share what we’re thankful for,” Maverick says, and when he catches me interpreting for Lucy, he slows down. “It can be a person. A thing. An experience. Anything that’s made you happy this year, and since I’m the best player at the table, I’m going to kick us off.”

Lucy giggles. I think he’s the best , but I like Hudson and Liam too!

They’re going to be very happy to know they’re your favorites .

“Feels like we should vote on that title,” Ethan calls out, and the guy next to him—Grant, I think—nods.

“Yeah. How are we defining best , Cap? Because you got smoked in our three-on-three scrimmage at morning skate yesterday,” he chimes in.

“Ten suicides tomorrow, Everett,” Maverick draws out, and everyone laughs. “I know you’re all sick of hearing me say it, but I’m thankful for my Emmy girl. Through the good. The bad. You’re always by my side, and I can’t believe I get to do life with you. This year has tested the heck out of us, but I love you more than I did yesterday, and I’m going to love you even more tomorrow. Thank you for choosing me, baby. You know I’m always going to choose you.” He sits and scoots his chair closer to Emmy, and it takes everything in me not to audibly swoon.

Do they love each other, Mommy? Lucy asks, and I nod.

Very much , I tell her.

Do you love anyone like that?

Just you, peanut, and that’s more than enough .

It’s funny.

I’ve been married.

I’ve been deeply in love.

But I’ve never seen anyone, not even my ex-husband when we were at our happiest, look at someone the way Maverick looks at Emmy.

It’s like she’s made of shooting stars and the brightest light in the sky. It’s beautiful, and for one blissful, optimistic moment, I can’t help but wonder if I’ll ever find something close that.

I can’t help but want to find something like that.

Dating terrifies the hell out of me, because I know what happens on the other side. I know all about the tears and the pain and the stolen moments you can’t get back.

Add in Lucy, and it’s scary as shit.

I have no clue how I’d navigate introducing someone new to my daughter.

Is there anyone out there who is worthy of being in her life? Who will show up for her like I show up for her, even though she’s not theirs?

But seeing that joy radiating off of Maverick and Emmy… I think if I ever do feel like putting myself out there again, it would only be for a man who loves me wholly and deeply. With their entire soul, like we’re destined in the stars and I’m the only one in the world.

Everyone is going to tell us what they’re thankful for , Luce . You get to answer too .

I already know what I’m thankful for! She wiggles in my lap. It’s a surprise .

I can’t wait to find out .

We go around the room, and my expectations were low for what the guys would be thankful for. I was waiting for superficial answers like OnlyFans or tight skirts, but every piece of gratitude they share is thoughtful and deep.

It’s obvious these men are more than just hockey players. They exist outside their uniform and the pucks they hit, and it makes me smile.

When it gets to be Lucy’s turn, I expect everyone to go on with their conversations and ignore the child at the table who doesn’t communicate like they do.

Except… they don’t.

They smile at her, giving her their full attention, and I’m certain my heart is close to exploding out of my chest when Hudson gives my thigh a gentle squeeze.

“ It’s your turn , sweetheart . What are you thankful for? ” I ask. “ What made you happy this year? ”

Hudson’s doggies , she answers, and I share that with the group to enthusiastic laughter.

“I’d pick the dogs over Hudson too,” Maverick says.

Lucy taps her cheek, deep in thought, before lighting up. You . You’re the best mommy in the world.

“ Thank you angel . I’m thankful for you too . You’re the best Lucy in the world ,” I say and sign, and Liam hands Piper a napkin to dab her eyes.

“It’s true. You’re an unbelievable parent, Madeline,” Hudson says to me softly. There’s a twist to his words. A hint of sadness, right there beneath the surface. “Can you tell Lucy moms are the best? And she’s very lucky to have you?”

Riley clamps a hand on Hudson’s shoulder. I’m not sure of the significance, but I nod. I explain to Lucy what he said, and she giggles.

I’m the lucky one , Mommy.

“ Your turn, Madeline ,” Piper tells me, and I forgot I haven’t shared yet.

“ Let’s see . I’m thankful for the best daughter in the world . I’m also thankful for fresh starts . For having a soft spot to land when I mess up , and being welcomed into a family that’s already full , but makes room for me at the table ,” I say and sign, and Lucy kisses my cheek.

“Damn. Those were good. I’m thankful for the people who aren’t here but should be. I’m thankful for good health.” Hudson drums his fingers on the table, then looks directly at me. “Most importantly, I’m thankful for strangers who turn into friends.”

“Friends,” I repeat, and from him, it’s a special word.