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)
“Molly,” I say, my voice steady despite the way my chest is pounding. “Can you come down here?”
Again, this is not normal or protocol, but since we’ve won two Cups, and the crowd is sure to go nuts, I have a lot of leeway in what I’m allowed to do.
The crowd cheers, their excitement rippling through the arena as the spotlight shifts to her.
Josie nudges her, grinning, and Molly looks mortified.
“Come on. Don’t make me come up there.”
She groans, but she finally starts moving, making her way down the stairs.
Security leads her to the ice.
When she reaches me, I can’t help but smile at the way she crosses her arms. She looks confused and maybe a little pissed.
Fuck, I love this girl.
“What are you doing, Hudson?” she whispers under her breath.
“You’ll see.” I take her hand.
The crowd falls silent, the weight of the moment hanging heavy in the air.
I take a deep breath, turning to face her, my other hand resting on her shoulder. “Molly, when I met you, I thought you were my hex.” This is the first time I’ve publicly called her this, but it feels fitting and right. “You kind of lived up to the name at first.”
The crowd laughs, and Molly glares at me.
But despite that, I can see a flicker of amusement in her eyes.
“But then, something changed.” My voice softens. “You didn’t hex me. You saved me. You’ve been there for me in ways I didn’t even know I needed. You saw me at my worst and refused to let me give up. You’ve been my constant, my support. And as it turns out, you’re my good luck charm.”
Her eyes widen.
I drop to one knee, pulling a small box from my pocket.
The crowd gasps.
“I know we’ve technically done this before. But this time, I want to do it right. Molly, will you stay married to me? Not because of circumstance, but because I’m crazy about you? Because there’s no one else in this world I’d rather call my wife.”
The arena is dead silent for a beat, and then someone from the crowd yells, “Wait, aren’t they already married?”
Laughter ripples through the stands, but my eyes stay locked on Molly.
She’s quiet. Way too quiet. But then, finally, she lowers her hand. “Yes. Yes, I’ll stay married to you.”
The crowd erupts into cheers as I slip the ring onto her finger and then pick her up and fling her over my shoulder.
“I can’t believe you just did that,” she laughs.
“Believe it. You’re stuck with me, Hex.”
“Good. Because I wouldn’t want it any other way.”
Molly
Six months ago, I was lost.
My identity was so tightly wound around other people’s lives that I couldn’t see my own.
I thought being fired by Dane was the end of me.
Now, I know that none of my fears were real.
That I was scared, holding on to trauma, and not willing to let go.
Turns out, I did use that card that Hudson gave me.
It took a long time to muster up the strength, but then I did.
When Hudson found the strength to tell Coach about his injury, I found the strength to take the steps to heal myself.
It’s been a long road, but every day, I get closer to finding the closure I need and live in the moment, not the past.
Today, I sit in a hotel room in New York, laptop balanced on my knees. I should be working, but Hudson’s laughter drifting from the adjoining room has me smiling instead.
The guys are all playing cards.
The sound makes me feel alive.
Who knew this was where I’d find my extended family.
Because that’s what they have all become . . . my family.
This is my life now.
I close my laptop, leaning back in my chair and letting out a satisfied sigh. My latest project for the Saints social media team is done—photos, interviews, and short videos ready to upload.
Somehow, this job fell into my lap just when I needed it most.
I get to travel with the team, highlight their personalities, and showcase the work they do off the ice.
It’s more than a job. It’s a purpose.
And it fits.
Plus, I get to work with Josie, who has quickly become one of my best friends. Cassidy being the other, but she’s often busy with school.
“Molly.” Hudson’s voice booms as he leans into the room, his grin wide enough to light up the entire city. “Get your ass out here. We’re starting a new round, and Mason is already crying about losing to me.”
“I’m not crying,” Mason yells from the other room. “You’re a cheater.”
I laugh, setting my laptop aside. “Oh my God, fine. I’m coming.”
Hudson’s gaze softens as he meets my stare. “You good?”
“I’m great,” I say, standing and stretching.
He watches me closely, studying. He’s silently asking me about my panic attacks.
With the therapist’s help, the panic attacks that used to grip me have become rare. And when they do come, I know I’m not alone.