Page 56

FIFTY-SIX

HUDSON

“I appreciate you pulling double duty today,” Madeline says from the stove. She flips the eggs she’s making in the pan and grabs a bowl of green peppers. “Show and tell and then a playoff game? You’ve got a busy day.”

“Happy to do it.” I pop a bite of toast in my mouth and polish off my orange juice. “What time do I need to be at Lucy’s school?”

“It starts at one. I know you have morning skate, so if you’re a few minutes late?—”

“I’ll be there at twelve fifty-nine.” I smile and hop to my feet, giving the crust left on my plate. “What should I bring? My jersey? My Stanley Cup ring? Do kids even care about that stuff?”

“Bring whatever you want,” she tells me. “Seriously. You’re already making her whole year by agreeing to come by. Anything else is extra.”

I make a note to text our equipment manager on the way to the arena to see if we can sign two dozen pucks. They’re small enough for the kids to take home, and I like the idea of them having something tangible to keep from my visit.

“Y’all are coming to the game tonight, right?” I ask, and Madeline beams.

“Of course we are. Who cares if it’s a school night?” She grabs a plate from the cabinet, doling out the eggs for herself. “Lucy has a new jersey she’s excited to wear, and so do I.”

“It better not be Maverick’s.” I walk around the island so I can kiss her forehead. “You know how jealous I get.”

“Yeah.” She tugs on my shirt and brings my mouth close to hers. “I do. But you’re hot when you’re jealous. It kind of makes me want to find out who your biggest rival is and wear their jersey to the arena.”

“Easy there, romance reader. I don’t have any rivals, so you’re stuck wearing mine.”

“There are worse things in life.” Madeline smiles and kisses the corner of my mouth. “Have I told you today how grateful I am for you?”

“You did. When I handed you a coffee at six and you pulled the covers over your head. Is that still the case, Galloway?”

“Yeah. Seems like it.” She pauses, putting her hand on my cheek. “I don’t know what Lucy and I did to deserve finding you, but I’m so glad we did. Thank you for loving her like she’s yours. Thank you for treating us right. Thank you for giving me hope that good things are worth the wait.”

I smile and turn my head to the side. I want to scream out that I do it because I love her. That I’m head over fucking heels for her and would do anything she asked, but I know how this story goes.

She needs to be the one to say it first, not because I doubt her feelings for me, but because I love her so unbelievably much, the last thing I want to do is scare her away.

I’m patient. I’m perfectly content never hearing it. Madeline shows me she loves me in so many other ways, like how she stitched a pink ribbon for breast cancer on the inside of my jersey. In the way she sends me photos of her, Lucy, and the dogs whenever I’m away so I don’t get homesick.

The words would just be extra.

“There’s never going to be any doubt in your mind when I’m around, Maddie.” I kiss her forehead and pull away. “You still haven’t heard anything from Fark, have you?”

“Nope. My lawyer made a note of his behavior in case something like that ever happens again. I know it won’t, but I have to be safe. I have to protect Lucy. I’m kind of glad I saw him, though. It really proved how happy I am without him. I’ve learned how to…” Madeline swallows. Her eyes meet mine. “To have those deep feelings again. That I’m capable of them. That I want them.”

It’s the closest she’s come to an I love you , and it makes me feel like I’m on top of the world. So does her smile, and I swear to all that’s holy I don’t need anything else in life besides her.

“Do I make you happy?” I ask, voice low.

“You make me so happy, I could burst,” she whispers. “You make me so happy, I’m terrified because good things like this don’t last forever.”

“Hey.” I hold her to me, kissing the top of her head. “With us they do.”

“Yeah.” Madeline nods, resolute. “I think you’re right.”

“I’m going to head to the arena. I’ll see you in a few hours?”

I love you.

I love you, I love you, I love you .

“You sure will, Bombshell.” With a wink, she dives into her breakfast. “I’m already counting down the minutes.”

I didn’t think I’d be more nervous to stand in front of a bunch of first graders than our playoff game tonight, but here we are.

I’m pacing up and down the hallway, anxiously waiting for Madeline to slip out of the classroom and welcome me in.

I’m even more nervous I’m not going to be able to answer the kids’ questions in the ways that I want. Madeline told me there will be plenty of help with interpretation, but it feels like it’s my job to show up prepared, and I feel really fucking unprepared.

Before a fresh wave of panic can set in, the classroom door swings open. Madeline grins at me from the entryway, and I instantly relax.

“Hey.” She beckons me forward, and seeing her helps me take a deep breath. I match her grin with one of my own. “Sorry to keep you waiting. We were getting the snacks set up for after show and tell. There was a graham cracker incident, but all is well now.”

I laugh and adjust my bag of gear on my shoulder. “Is it safe to come in?”

“Yeah. The kids are so excited to meet you.”

“The pressure is on, isn’t it?”

Madeline touches my hand, smiling again. “You’re going to be great.”

“Thinking about playing in front of twenty thousand fans in a few hours doesn’t have me stressed out. But this does. I’m sweating through my shirt.” I touch my Stars T-shirt and grimace. “Disgusting.”

“They’re six, Hudson.”

“You know how ruthless kids are.” I step into the classroom, and twenty heads turn and look at me. I wipe my hands on my jeans and clear my throat. Hi, everyone, I sign.

I’ve been working with another student at Gallaudet in anticipation of today. They’ve helped me learn all the phrases I’ll need to know for the questions the kids might ask, but it feels like everything has gone out of my head.

All of the kids wave back. Lucy jumps to her feet and runs toward me, throwing her arms around my legs. I drop my bag and lift her up, holding her against my hip.

Hi.

Hiya, Luce. Is this your classroom?

That’s my chair over there. Do you see my drawings on the walls?

I glance around at the dozens of pieces of artwork plastered on every available surface. I spot one that looks like it might be hers, complete with three stick figure people and two dogs.

My goddamn heart smiles.

They are perfect . I set her down. Lucy’s teacher smiles at me, and Madeline pats the stool in front of the classroom.

Come on over, Hudson , she signs, and I’m doing my best to not shit a brick.

With a nod, I take a seat on the plastic stool. I unzip my bag and set a puck on my lap. Does anyone know what sport I play? I ask, and a dozen hands fly in the air. I point to a girl in the second row, and she gives me a toothless grin.

Ballet!

Madeline holds back her laugh next to me, and I can’t help but chuckle.

Almost. I hold up the puck and show it off before handing it to Madeline to pass around. I play hockey.

The kids ooh and aah over the puck, and someone else raises their hand.

“Will you help me?” I ask Madeline out of the corner of my mouth, and she puts a hand on my shoulder.

“Of course I will.” She smiles at the boy, and he starts to sign. I can only pick up a few words. Hockey . Defense . Champion . When he puts his hands back in his lap and looks at me expectantly, Madeline slips into SimCom. “ Jesse wants to know if you’ve always liked playing hockey, what position you would play if you didn’t play defense, and if you go to Disney after winning the championship. ”

Good question , I sign slowly. I love hockey. I’ve been playing since I was a kid. If not defense, I’d be in goal . I like blocking shots . I take a second to try and process the translation between the two languages. No one rushes me, and I’m grateful for the chance to get this right. I did not go to Disney . That would’ve been fun .

I move to the next kid who asks me about my favorite players and who on the team I like the most. Another says their dad likes me but he prefers Riley instead, and I let them know he’s a great choice. Madeline jumps in and helps interpret, giving me an encouraging nod when I answer and not getting upset if I use the wrong words.

I put my bag in the middle of the room and the kids rifle through it, pulling out the pucks I brought for everyone and an old pair of gloves. One girl holds up a stick that’s taller than her and asks me to show her how to hold it the right way.

Two boys beg me to arm wrestle, and I make a show out of losing so everyone knows they’re strong.

“Hey.” Madeline appears at my side with a bottle of water an hour later. She hands it over, and I down half of it in three gulps. “How’re you doing, champ?”

“Good, yeah. These kids are something else. Lots of energy. It’s also giving me an idea that we need to make our summer camps more accessible. I’m sure there are some students at Gallaudet who skate. I’m going to talk to our community outreach folks and see if we can hire a couple of the college kids to come up and assist us so we can get more campers involved.” I finish off my water and toss the empty bottle in the trash can. “They all deserve a chance to play.”

“I’m pretty sure you’re the most amazing man I’ve ever met.” Madeline loops her arm around my waist and rests her cheek on my shoulder. “I like you very much.”

I love you , I think.

I love you so much, my wasted heart is finally healed because of it.

I turn to kiss her forehead. She’s smiling when I look down at her, and it’s truly a magnificent thing.

“I like you very much too, Maddie. I hate to leave, but I need to get going. I should try to get a nap in before the game and?—”

Lucy appears in front of me holding my gloves to her chest. Someone tried to take these! She frowns and shakes her head. I told them they aren’t theirs.

Thank you, Luce . I smile and she hands over the gloves. I’m about to leave because I have a game tonight.

That’s okay. I’m going to eat a cookie .

She looks between Madeline and me. She signs something, and Madeline’s cheeks turn pink before she answers.

“What’s going on?” I ask, nervous when Lucy claps excitedly.

“ Lucy asked if you and are I… special friends .” Madeline uses SimCom to explain her blush. “ I told her we care about each other very much, more than friends do. ”

“Could you cover your eyes for a minute, Mads? I want to have a private conversation with Luce,” I say, and she laughs, obliging.

Mommy looks silly.

She does, doesn’t she? Can I tell you a secret, Lucy?

Sure. She grins. I love secrets.

I love your mom. Very much. I’m going to tell her soon. Do you think that would be okay with you? If I was around more?

Like a dad? My friends say their daddies love their mommies. I’ve never had a daddy.

Yeah. I swallow. Like a dad.

Yes, she tells me with tears in her eyes. That would be okay. Mommy and I love you, too.

I’m glad. I nod and tug on Madeline’s hand, letting her know it’s okay to look. “ We’re all good. ”

“ I don’t like sneaky secrets ,” she teases, but her face softens when Lucy pats my knee and heads for the snack table.

“Guess our relationship is out in the open,” I say. “Glad to know I’m your special friend, Mads.”

“Shut up.” She elbows me. “You’re so much more than that. You’re…”

The love of my life.

My everything.

“I know,” I say, and she blinks at me with wide eyes. “Slow. And whenever you’re ready. I’m there, but I’m a patient, patient man, sweetheart.”

“Thank you. We can’t wait to cheer for you tonight.”

“I can’t wait to see y’all.” I kiss her forehead. “I need to run. I’m leaving the car so you can take it back to the condo when you’re finished here.”

“Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

With a squeeze of her hand, I head for the door. I look back, finding Madeline smiling at me, and I hear those same three words.

I love you. I love you. I love you .

It might be a big game for us tonight, but I don’t care.

I’ll have those two in the stands, which means I already won.