Total pages in book: 136
Estimated words: 139259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 696(@200wpm)___ 557(@250wpm)___ 464(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 139259 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 696(@200wpm)___ 557(@250wpm)___ 464(@300wpm)
Hudson: 🙃
Dane: Deflecting? Interesting.
Mason: Don’t change the subject. Hudson, hop on Xbox. I’m feeling generous enough to let you win once tonight.
Hudson: Can’t. Busy.
Mason: What kind of lame excuse is that?
Hudson: Molly wants to hang out.
Aiden: 🤣 Oh my God, he really said that.
Mason: Dude. DUDE. You’re officially one of those guys.
Dane: He’s domesticated. Newlywed syndrome in full swing.
Mason: Next thing we know, he’ll be baking sourdough bread and watching HGTV.
Hudson: You fuckers are ridiculous.
Aiden: Admit it, Hudson. You’ve been tamed. Molly’s got you doing dishes and lighting scented candles.
Mason: He’s probably calling her babe every five minutes, too.
Dane: I swear if you’re wearing matching pajamas . . .
Hudson: 🖕
Mason: Nah, for real. Hudson can’t hang anymore. He’s gone soft.
Hudson: Oh, I’ll show you soft the next time I bodycheck your ass into the boards.
Mason: Big words for a guy who’s too “busy” to play Xbox. Go cuddle your wife.
Aiden: He’s probably got a face mask on while watching rom-coms right now.
Dane: Don’t judge.
Aiden: Dane?
Dane: Um, nothing.
Hudson: You’re all jealous. It’s fine.
Dane: Jealous? Nah. I’m just waiting for you to start a “Hudson & Molly” couple account with vlogs of your farm trips.
Mason: 😂 “Day in the life of Hudson Wilde, Former Hockey Bad Boy Turned Trad Husband.”
Hudson: I hate you all.
Mason: Love you too, buddy. Let us know when Molly gives you permission to play with the boys again.
Aiden: Or when you’re done picking out throw pillows.
Hudson: 🖕🖕
Mason: PS If you do start baking sourdough, send me a loaf.
88
Molly
I sit in my car outside Dane’s house.
My car is still running.
I should go. I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t be doing this.
My hands grip the steering wheel. I know what I’m doing is wrong. Hudson will be pissed if he knows I interfered, but what other choice do I have?
I can’t sit back and watch Hudson hurt himself, and that’s what he will do if I don’t speak to my brother.
I can help him.
Like he’s helped me.
Taking a deep breath, I cut the engine and step out of the car.
There’s no backing out now.
Well, technically, I can still turn around, but I won’t be doing that. Hudson has done so much for me. It’s my turn to do something for him.
I march up to the front door, and when I’m there, I knock before I lose my nerve.
In the past, I would have used my keys, but with Josie living here now, that’s not going to happen.
My foot taps on the pavement as I wait.
Luckily, it only takes a moment for Dane to answer, his broad frame filling the doorway.
His brow furrows when he sees me. “Molly? What are you doing here? You okay?” Always the protector.
“I need to talk to you.” He narrows his eyes at my words. “It’s important.”
He steps aside, motioning for me to come in.
“What’s going on?” he asks, closing the door behind me.
I turn to face him, my hands clasped tightly in front of me. “It’s about Hudson.”
His jaw tightens, and I can see the wheels turning in his head. He’s ready to kill him. Down, boy. “What about him?” he grits out. “What did that asshole do to you?”
“He didn’t do anything to me. He’s hurt.” I bite my lip. “He got injured on the farm a week ago. His wrist—”
“Wait, what?” Dane cuts me off, his voice sharp. “How bad is it?”
“Bad,” I admit, my stomach twisting. “He won’t go to a doctor because he’s afraid Coach will be pissed. He’s been hiding it, but with practice starting soon . . . I don’t know how he’s going to pull it off.”
“That idiot,” he mutters under his breath. “Why didn’t he tell anyone?”
“Because he’s stubborn.” I sigh. “And because he’s an idiot who thinks he has to do everything on his own. But he can’t. He needs help.”
“And I’m supposed to help him.” It’s a statement, not a question, and a pissed statement at that.
I nod. “Obviously. For one, you’re my brother, but also, and more importantly, it’s literally your job to protect him. Which means you can make sure no one hurts him. You can buy him time to heal.”
Dane crosses his arms. “And what if someone finds out? What if he hurts himself more?”
I swallow hard. It feels like there is a lump in my throat. “If that happens, then we figure it out. But right now, none of that matters. All that matters is he has someone who’s got his back.”
Dane lets out a heavy sigh. “All right. I’ll do it.”
My shoulders slump forward. “Thank you.”
“But”—he holds up a finger—“there’s one condition.”
I knew it was too good to be true. “What condition?” I ask.
“You have to agree to let me fire you.” If my brother feels bad about his demands, he doesn’t let on. Instead, his expression is blank, and for a second, I think he’s joking. But when he doesn’t laugh, my stomach drops.