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)
Shit. I fell right into the trap.
“Exactly.” Josie giggles, shoulder-bumping Cassidy. “Look at her face.”
I sigh, feigning boredom. “Nothing is going on. Just the usual hatred and mutual loathing. You know, the cornerstone of any healthy working relationship.”
Josie snorts, twirling her straw between her fingers. “You sure about that? Because Dane mentioned something about you two not fighting as much lately.”
I stiffen. “Dane doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
Cassidy raises an eyebrow. “So it’s a coincidence that every time the team teases Hudson about you, he doesn’t snap back? Or that you’ve actually been tolerable in the same room?”
“Yes, it’s a coincidence. Plus, neither of us wants to lose the bet,” I say firmly. Take that. One point to the home team. “And I have no idea what you’re implying, but you’re wrong. So wrong.”
Josie and Cassidy exchange a look; twin smirks spreading across their faces.
“You’re totally lying.” Josie grins. “I know it. She knows it. Hell, the server probably knows it.”
“Whatever you think you know, you don’t.” I point a fry at them for emphasis. “Nothing is going on between Hudson and me. Nothing except mutual disgust and an endless desire to avoid each other whenever possible.”
Cassidy snorts, and since she was sipping her water, it’s not pretty. “Right. Yet at the charity event, you two looked downright cozy holding those puppies together.”
“That wasn’t cozy. That was forced proximity,” I grit out, but my stomach gets butterflies at the memory.
Dammit to hell.
Josie’s expression softens. “Molly, you can tell us, you know. We’re not going to judge you.”
“There’s nothing to tell,” I insist, before shoving another fry in my mouth and looking away.
Josie and Cassidy are mind readers.
I can’t give them an inch.
Cassidy taps her fingers against the table, watching me closely. “You’re not denying that something’s changed, though.”
I roll my eyes. “If anything’s changed, it’s that I’m too tired to waste energy fighting him. That’s it.”
“Uh-huh. Sure. Because that totally explains why you’ve been blushing like crazy every time his name comes up.”
“I am not blushing.”
“You are. And for the record? If something is happening with you and Hudson, you should just admit it.” Cassidy shrugs. “I think you’d be good for him.”
“Good for him? Are you kidding me? He’s an egotistical, smug, insufferable—”
“Hot,” Josie adds helpfully.
“Nightmare,” I finish, glaring at Josie.
Cassidy grins. “Hot nightmare, though.”
My hands lift to cover my face. “Why do I even eat lunch with you two?”
“Because we’re fun,” Josie says brightly. “And because we’re right.”
“You’re not right.”
“Keep telling yourself that, Molly. But we’re not blind.” Cassidy steals a fry off my plate. “Something’s going on. And when you’re ready to admit it, we’ll be here.”
Damn Cassidy.
Always the voice of reason.
I shake my head as the two of them continue to laugh, but as much as I want to brush off their teasing, their words stick with me, leaving a nagging question I don’t want to answer.
What is going on between Hudson and me?
40
Hudson
The crowd is deafening tonight.
Even though it’s an away game, a sea of screaming fans wave Redville Saints flags and chant my name.
I skate across the ice, adrenaline coursing through my veins. I’ve been in the zone all night—every pass, every play, every shot landing exactly where they needed to go.
And now, with the clock winding down and the fact that we are ahead by three, I know the game is in the bag.
The puck drops into the offensive zone, and I charge forward, my skates cutting sharply into the ice. Aiden sends a perfect pass my way, and I don’t hesitate to snap the puck toward the goal. It sails past the goalie’s glove, slamming into the back of the net.
The arena erupts into complete chaos.
I raise my arms, roaring triumphantly as my teammates swarm me, slamming their sticks against my pads and shouting in celebration. The final buzzer sounds, and it’s official.
We won.
Once we break away, I head out to leave the ice, grinning so hard my cheeks hurt.
This is the best.
I love this feeling.
The electricity in the air. The roar of the crowd.
Best. Feeling. Ever.
Once we’re in the locker room, the party starts.
Someone dumps a bucket of water on my head—ice-cold water.
Aiden sprays champagne onto Mason, who retaliates by dumping a cooler of ice water over him.
I shake off the water clinging to my hair and look up. Dane leans against the wall, shaking his head with a rare smile.
“You’re welcome, boys,” I call out, smirking as I peel off my gloves.
Mason rolls his eyes, grinning. “Oh, we’re supposed to thank you for doing your job now?”
Aiden laughs, slapping me on the back. “Let him take the win. The guy’s been on fire all night.”
“Damn right,” I say.
Dane snorts. “You’re unbearable when you’re like this.”
“Yet,” I reply, grabbing a bottle of water and chugging half of it, “you love me anyway.”