Page 115 of Beautiful Collide

“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.

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