Page 145 of Beautiful Collide

Molly:Hudson.

Hudson:Okay,fine. Maybe I’m pacing a little. Happy?

Molly:You’ll be fine. You always are.

Hudson:Yeah?

Molly:Yeah. You’re Hudson Wilde. The hockey god, remember?

Hudson:You’re really bad at hating me.

Molly:I still do.

Hudson:You’re kind of a softy when you want to be.

Molly:Delete that thought immediately.

Hudson:Too late. It’s burned into my brain.

Molly:??

Molly:Look, just breathe, okay? You’re good at this. The best, probably. I know you don’t need to hear it from me, but in case you do . . . You’ve got this.

Hudson:. . .

Hudson:Thanks, Hex.

Molly:Don’t make it weird.

Hudson:Too late. I’m gonna dedicate my first goal to you.

Molly:If you do, I’ll never speak to you again.

Hudson:You’re obsessed with me, so we both know that’s not true.

Molly:Focus on the game, Wilde.

Hudson:I will.

Hudson:Thanks for grounding me, Hex.

Molly:Someone has to. Now go win a championship, or I’ll never let you live it down.

Hudson:Yes, ma’am. For you, anything.

53

Hudson

My entire bodyhums with adrenaline, but my focus is razor-sharp.

Whoever wins this game wins the Cup.

The noise inside the arena is deafening. The crowd roars with excitement. My lungs burn, and my heart pounds.

Focus.

You’ve trained for this. Don’t screw it up.

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