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)
He turns, his expression cool and unreadable. “No comment.”
“But—”
“No comment,” he repeats, his hand dropping to wrap tightly around my waist.
The reporters continue their shouting.
With each step we take, they become more persistent, but Hudson doesn’t stop.
Instead, with his head held high and his arm wrapped around me, he leads me to his car.
When we get to it, he opens the passenger door for me like a gentleman.
I’ve never wanted to admit it, but he’s not a bad guy.
He’s actually a pretty fabulous guy.
“Hex, get in.” His voice sounds tight. My guess is he’s super pissed and trying to not give the press a show.
I do as he says, and he closes the door behind me before rounding the car and sliding into the driver’s seat.
As we pull away from the chaos, I finally let out the breath I’ve been holding.
He glances over at me. Our eyes lock. “You okay?”
I nod even though I’m not.
My heart pounds in my chest. “Thanks.”
“For what?” he asks.
“Helping me.”
He didn’t have to, and I appreciate him.
He shrugs before turning to face the road. “It’s my job.”
“No, it’s not. I don’t deserve it, but thank you.”
The car goes quiet. It’s almost like my words shut him up.
I pivot in my seat and watch him.
He’s looking forward, hands on the steering wheel.
His jaw is set, and it’s almost like he didn’t hear me, but then I see a slight twitch.
He did, and my words affected him.
The silence stretches between us, heavy and loaded. Finally, I can’t take it anymore, needing to say so much and not willing to wait.
I bury my head in my hands. “Now what?”
He sighs. “Honestly, no clue.”
I shake my head. “This is a disaster.”
“Maybe, but it doesn’t have to be.”
“You really think we’ll be okay?” I ask, my voice small.
The car rolls to a stop at the light, and he looks at me. “I know we will.”
I almost believe him.
67
Molly
Dane: Are you serious, Molly?
Molly: I know. I KNOW. Please don’t yell at me.
Dane: Yell at you?? Do you even still consider me your brother, or did you trade me in for Hudson??
Molly: Oh my God. You’re being dramatic.
Dane: DRAMATIC? I found out my sister MARRIED my teammate FROM THE PRESS.
Molly: I’m sorry. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this.
Dane: What, you accidentally said “I do”?
Molly: Okay, fair point. But it’s a long story, and I didn’t know how to tell you.
Dane: You just tell me, Molly. That’s how.
Dane: Remember me? Your brother? The one who raised you?
Molly: You’re right. I should’ve told you. I’m sorry.
Dane: . . .
Molly: You’re mad.
Dane: I was mad. Now I’m just worried about you. Are you okay? For real.
Molly: Yeah, I’m okay. Promise.
Dane: If you need anything, you tell me. No exceptions. You hear me?
Molly: I hear you.
Dane: Good. I’ve already got the team’s PR on this. We’ll spin it. Damage control is what they’re good at.
Molly: Thank you. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.
Dane: I know. I’ll deal with Hudson later.
Molly: Please don’t kill him.
Dane: No promises.
Molly: Dane.
Dane: Fine. He lives. For now.
Molly: Thank you.
Dane: Just don’t make me an uncle anytime soon.
Molly: BLOCKED.
Dane: 😂 Love you, kid.
Molly: Love you, too, big brother.
68
Hudson
Now, what do we do?
I wish I had answers to how this happened, but I don’t. This leads me to pacing the room and staring at Molly.
She sits on my couch with her legs crossed and her arms folded.
Neither of us has spoken since we arrived, and I’m starting to worry we won’t.
Which doesn’t bode well for solving this.
Narrowing my eyes, I take her in. Her jaw is set, and her brows furrowed.
This I can work with.
She’s pissed, but this is different. This is stubborn determination.
A look I have come to know all so well.
Yep, I can decipher the many looks of Molly Sinclair.
I’ve been watching her long enough, after all.
Stalker much.
I’m used to this version of Molly. She’s planning, and when she’s like this, she’s unstoppable.
My lips part into a grin.
She’s really something else.
Can’t wait to see what she comes up with when she establishes a plan she thinks I should follow.
I watch her for a beat. She’s in the zone.
I can practically see the wheels in her head turning as she tries to devise a plan.
“If you keep thinking that hard, you might hurt yourself.”
She rolls her eyes. “Well, one of us has to.”
I laugh. “Not nice, Hex.”
But she’s right. We do need to think of something.
“It’s not,” she admits, her gaze drifting to the family photos on the wall. “What are they going to say about this?”
“Maybe they won’t find out.” Yeah, okay. And maybe I’ll retire from hockey and join the cast of Stars On Ice.
I stride across the room and toward the couch. Once there, I plop down on it.
“Seriously, Hudson,” she deadpans.
“No.” I stretch out, making myself comfortable. We have a lot to discuss, and who knows how long it will take.