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)
Aiden: Yeah, we’re going to worry regardless. It’s our default setting, considering your string of life choices. 🫣
Mason: You’re not invincible, Wilde. None of us are.
Hudson: I know. I just didn’t want to let anyone down.
Dane: You let us down by not telling us. We’re a team. You should’ve trusted us.
Hudson: You’re right. I screwed up. I’m sorry.
Mason: You’re sorry? You’re also a massive idiot.
Aiden: Huge. Like Olympic-level idiot.
Hudson: Jesus Christ, do you guys ever stop?
Dane: Nope.
Mason: Never. We’re relentless. Like your bad decisions.
Hudson: I take back my apology. You’re all assholes.
Aiden: Assholes who care about you.
Hudson: Thanks. For real.
Mason: Anytime, Princess.
Hudson: I’m muting this chat.
Dane: Go ahead. You’ll still be hearing us chirp you at practice.
Aiden: Oh, 100%. We’re just getting started.
Hudson: Great. Looking forward to it.
Mason: Love you, glass princess. Stay unbroken.
Hudson Wilde has left the chat.
Dane: He’ll be back. He always comes back.
SEASON FIVE
EPILOGUE
Hudson
The crowd is buzzing.
Excitement courses through the air.
Today is my first game back since my injury.
It’s also the first time I’ve felt like myself since I got hurt.
Being on the ice is like being home.
As I step out onto the ice, it feels right.
I love everything about this. The way the ice glistens under the bright spotlights. The anticipation building as fans wave their signs and scream for their favorite players.
It’s all part of why I keep playing.
Normally, that’s enough for me to want to play hard, but tonight, it’s something else.
Tonight, hockey isn’t the only thing on my mind.
Tonight isn’t just about the game.
Tonight is about her.
Molly.
She’s somewhere in the family box. In the past, she never wanted to sit there, but now, since my family is there, she wants to be with them, and knowing her, she’s probably having the best time with my sister.
Things have been great with my family. I have no complaints, and lately, I can’t stop smiling. It helps that my parents are now swimming in dough. Ever since Molly spoke to my mom about me helping them, they became more open to it.
Thankfully, Coach came through, getting me an endorsement deal with a large organic grocery store. The connection has brought the farm a ton of new business, which has been great. They used the money to hire help, and now they have time to travel, see the world, and rack up a retirement fund. All thanks to Hex’s help.
The way she loves my family is how I know that I’ve made the right decision.
My heart pounds as I glance up at the booth, searching for her. And then I see her leaning over the railing, her hands clasped together as she talks to Josie and Anna.
She’s beautiful in a way that still knocks the wind out of me.
She’s effortless.
Radiant.
Mine.
A whistle from Mason snaps me out of my thoughts. “You ready for this?”
I turn to see him grinning like an idiot, his stick resting on his shoulder. Aiden and Dane are behind him, smirking, clearly in on the plan.
“Yeah,” I say. I keep my voice steady despite the fact that I feel anything but. “Let’s do it.”
The first period flies by in a blur.
We’re up by two.
The crowd is going nuts.
I love it.
Love being back on the ice.
As the second period winds down, my focus shifts.
During the intermission, I make my way to the locker room with the team, the adrenaline coursing through me like a live wire. Dane slaps me on the back as we pass through the tunnel.
“You nervous?” he mutters so no one hears.
“A little,” I admit. “But it’s a good kind of nervous.”
He smirks, shaking his head. “Good luck, man.”
As the third period begins, my nerves pick up. Not because of the game, though.
Nope, my nerves are because of the clock. I’m watching it, counting down the seconds.
It’s almost time to put my plan into action.
When we finally win—which obviously is a bonus since my plan would have happened regardless, but this is better—the crowd cheers.
But I have something bigger to celebrate.
The announcer’s voice booms over the speakers as the team lines up at center ice for the traditional post-game thank-you to the fans.
My heart pounds as I grab the microphone. It’s a well-thought-out plan, and luckily for me, Coach Robert was happy to speak to the GM and let me do this. The suits were excited too. The marketing team even more so.
None of that matters to me. I’m not doing it for views or likes. I’m doing it because I need to.
“Hey, everyone.” My voice echoes through the arena. “Can I have a moment of your time?” The crowd quiets at my words, all curious about what I’m about to say. “Before we wrap up tonight, there’s something I need to say. Something I’ve been waiting a long time to do.”
I glance up at the family box, locking eyes with Molly. Her brow furrows, her lips parting in confusion, and I know she’s trying to figure out what’s happening.