Page 52

FIFTY-TWO

MADELINE

“You sure look fancy in your suit,” I tell Hudson from the couch, and he tosses a grin my way.

“You flirting with me, Galloway?”

“Maybe. Blue is definitely your color. It matches your eyes.”

“You’re going to make me blush.” He fixes his tie and grabs his bag, sliding a beanie on his head. “You have the tickets I sent you, right?”

“Yup. I already downloaded them. Thank you for changing our seats again. Lucy is determined to figure out what spot in the arena she likes best. I think it’s going to be against the glass like the last game we went to, but only time will tell. I smile at him and rest my elbow on the cushions. “I hope you have a great game.”

“I’ve got you to look at in the stands. Of course it’s going to be a good night.” He bends down to kiss me, and I grab his collar so he can’t get away. He laughs against my mouth, kissing me again. “Mav is picking me up so you and Lucy can take the car to the arena. I’ll ride back with y’all after.”

“You know she’s going to want to stop for a treat on the way home.”

“Girl after my own heart.” Hudson moves his lips to my forehead, kissing my bangs. “Call if you have any trouble getting in, okay?”

“We will. And don’t be mad at Lucy if she’s not wearing your jersey tonight,” I add when he heads for the door. “She has a new obsession with Grant.”

“As long as you show up wearing my name, I’m happy. See you soon, sweetheart.”

Hudson flashes me one more grin, gives the dogs a pat on the head, then slips out the door. I watch him go, giddiness bubbling inside me at the thought of seeing him again in action tonight.

Lucy skips into the living room decked out in her Stars gear, and she hands over a hairbrush.

Could you do braided pigtails?

Of course, baby. I pat the floor in front of me and she sits. Do you want them high on your head above your ears? Or down low?

High, please , she tells me, and I smile. We get to see Hudson play tonight, right?

I set the brush down and lean forward so she can see me. We do. I think he’s going to have a great game, don’t you?

He’s the best. The Stars are going to win the Stanley Cup!

I laugh at her enthusiasm, braiding the left side of her hair and loving how much she looks like me even from the back. I attach the hair tie then move to the right side, making quick work of it until she’s ready to go.

We’re going to leave in an hour so we can get there early and watch the warmups , I tell her.

Can we get chicken tenders, too?

’Course we can, baby .

She’s always had an elevated palate for a kid. Last night, she stole some of Hudson’s honey sriracha chicken, but every now and then, she wants to take it back to basics. Chicken tenders, hot dogs. Frozen pizza and frozen vegetables, and I’ll never deny her a meal just because I didn’t make it.

I spend the next hour feeding the dogs and taking them on a short walk with Lucy by my side. She makes me watch clips from the last time the Stars played the Hurricanes. It was the night Hudson got hurt, and I fast forward through the video that shows his injury so she can’t see him lying on the ice.

When we get to the arena, we grab some food and head to our seats halfway up the section. Lucy settles in and waits patiently for the guys to come out for warmups, and when they take the ice, she jumps up and down.

I like being closer to the ice more, Mommy .

I’ll make sure to tell Hudson that for the next game . I point to Liam in the goal, grinning when Lucy waves even though he can’t see her. Do you like their jerseys? They’re wearing blue tonight .

I like the white better.

She finishes her chicken tenders and fries, squealing when Hudson skates up to the glass in front of our section. I follow behind her as she barrels down the stairs to the glass, putting her hand against the barrier. He takes off his gloves and puts his before pulling away so he can sign.

Seats okay? he asks, and she shrugs.

Last month was better , she tells him bluntly, and when his eyes meet mine, I grin.

“Kids,” I yell over the crowd starting to fill the arena, and he chuckles.

“They’ll say the darndest things.” Hudson turns his head and nods at something one of his teammates is saying. “Gotta jet. Hope my favorite girls have fun.”

“Score a goal for us,” I say, and the wink he gives me makes me feel like I’m dating the biggest athlete on campus.

“If I do, I’ll make sure to point my stick right at y’all.”

With one more wave he joins the line of his teammates taking their turns shooting on goal. Lucy and I climb the stairs back to our seats, and she rests her head against my arm. I scan the building, trying to see if I can find Piper or Lexi, but I don’t spot either of them.

“Madeline?”

Hearing my name makes me turn my head, and when I do, I blink, convinced I’m imagining things. There’s no way what I’m seeing is really happening, because Clark is staring at me.

Here.

Five feet away.

At a goddamn hockey game in DC.

When I haven’t seen him for years in Las Vegas.

Everything happens in slow motion. He walks toward me with a hesitant smile on his face. I wrap my arm around Lucy out of instinct, and she looks up at me with a frown. His eyes drop to our— my —daughter, and my blood turns to ice.

“Hey,” he says when he gets close to me.

I’ve dreamed up a hundred different things I’d say to him if I ever got the chance, but I’m coming up short. I’m striking out because all I want to do is scream. I want to give him a shove and tell him to never come near us again.

“What the fuck do you want?” is what I wind up saying, and the woman in front of me with a child of her own turns to give me a nasty glare.

“Hey,” he repeats, his gaze bouncing to Lucy.

Mommy. Lucy tugs on my shirt when he looks at her. Who is that?

Do I tell her who Clark is?

Do I pretend like he’s someone I’ve never met? Do I pass him off as a friend?

He’s someone Mommy knew many years ago , I tell her.

Is he nice?

He’s okay , I sign, not wanting her to be scared. Look at Maverick on the ice!

Her attention temporarily diverts to the players running a drill, and I feel like the scum of the earth for not including her in my conversation.

“What do you want?” I ask, doing my best to keep my voice even-keeled.

“Is that Lucy?”

“No. This is another kid you abandoned,” I deadpan, and he winces. “What are you doing here? Did you… you didn’t try to track us down, did you?”

“I had no clue you’d be here. I’m in town on business, and my buddy and I decided to come to the game tonight. Realized it was you when I saw you talking to Hayes.” His mouth twists as he says it, and I realize he has a very punchable face. Decking him between the eyes has suddenly become my lifelong dream, but I know violence isn’t the answer. “What’s that about?”

“My personal life doesn’t concern you.”

“It does when our daughter is involved.”

“ Our daughter? I must’ve missed all those times you helped me change a diaper in the middle of the night or sat by Lucy’s side when she was sick.”

I hate that the people around me are close to seeing me have a breakdown. I hate that because of this, I’m going to have to find somewhere to hide so I can cry out my anger. I hate that after the hell he dragged us through, Clark is going to go to sleep tonight without a care in the goddamn world, and I hate that I won’t be able to think of anything else.

Except… he winces. He rubs the back of his neck and blows out a breath.

“I deserved that,” he mumbles.

He deserves a lot more than that, but I don’t have the energy for a fight. I didn’t then, all those years ago when he left, and I don’t now.

“Yes,” I say. “You do.”

“Madeline, I?—”

“I don’t have anything to say to you.” I turn my attention to Lucy, stroking her hair. Let’s go visit Piper for a few minutes, peanut , and she lights up. I have to get us out of here before she sees me crack in two. We’ll try to find her before the game starts.

I bet she’s in the tunnel! That’s where she always hangs out .

We only have a few minutes before the national anthem, and the last thing I want to do is draw more attention to us. Lucy stands, and I try to usher her to the stairs as quickly as I can.

“Where are you going?” Clark asks, and I hate that he sounds concerned.

“I hope you’re happy, Clark,” I say, proud of myself for taking the high road. “Because we’ve never been happier.”

Before he can get another word in, I take Lucy’s hand in mine and walk down the stairs. I check over my shoulder to make sure Clark isn’t following us, and when I make it to the tunnel that leads to the locker room and the season ticket holders lounge, I spot Piper.

“Hey.” She smiles at me while she fixes her earpiece. “What are you two doing down here? Is it time for some ice cream?”

“I—” I gulp down a lungful of air. It feels like the walls are caving in. It’s hard to breathe, and my chest hurts. “My ex. He’s here. I can’t?—”

“Media room.” Piper puts a hand on my lower back and carefully guides us down the hall to a small room tucked away from the noise.

Are you okay, Mommy?

I’m fine, sweetie. Just a little tired , I tell her, and she nods.

You need a nap!

I laugh at her innocence, glad she’s never had her heart broken and stomped on. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure that never, ever happens to her.

I think I do.

How would you like to be my right-hand girl tonight, Luce? Piper asks. Do you want to hold a microphone and get close to the players?

Really? Lucy looks at me with expectant eyes, her little body buzzing with excitement. Can I go? That is way better than our seats!

Of course you can, sweetie , I tell her, and she practically leaps with joy. “Thank you,” I say to Piper while Lucy runs to the door. “I didn’t want her to ask questions, and I need a minute to process everything.”

“Understood. Take the time you need, and I’ll check back during intermission.” She bends down to give me a hug. “And if you want me to get arena security to throw him out, I will.”

I choke on a laugh and hug her back. “No. I’m going to take the high road, which doesn’t involve murder, and that should be celebrated.”

“If you need me for anything , send me a text and I’ll be right back. The station can survive without a player interview, and lord knows Liam will be happy.” Piper squeezes my shoulder one more time before pulling away. “You’re going to be okay.”

“I know.” I nod. “I will be.”

Lucy blows me a kiss and Piper gives me a sad smile. I watch them disappear out the door, and then I shatter into a million pieces.