Page 183 of Beautiful Collide

“Damn.” I let out a low whistle. “Seven figures.”

That’s a shit ton of money. That’s the kind of money that will help . . . my family.If they let me.

“You still there?” Travis asks.

“Yeah.” I swallow. “Just . . . processing.”

“Look, I know this is a big shift,” he says. “But you’d be stupid not to at least consider it. This is the kind of opportunity most players never get, Hudson. You’d be broadening your appeal and setting yourself up for long-term success, even after hockey.”

All of this is nuts.

It’s so far from the image I fell into, but maybe that’s exactly what I need. I’ve lied for so long about who I am. Perhaps it’s time I take down the walls and show the world the real me.

The one who loves his family and wants one of his own.

“I’ll think about it,” I say finally.

“That’s all I’m asking,” Travis says. “I’ll send over the details. Take a look, talk it over with Molly—”

I cut him off. “She doesn’t know about this yet. Hell, she doesn’t even know about the press conference fallout. She’s going to kill me when she finds out.”

Travis laughs. “Good luck with that. But seriously, this is a good thing, Hudson. Don’t overthink it. Call me when you’re ready to move forward.”

“Yeah, thanks, Travis.”

I hang up and stare at my phone, the weight of the conversation settling over me.

Did that really just happen?

Did a cereal company just offer me a seven-figure endorsement deal?

I pinch the skin on my wrist. Nope, I’m not dreaming.

All of this is real, and the craziest part is that it all started with a drunken Vegas mistake.

A part of me wonders if that “mistake” is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

I leave the lounge and head to the parking lot, my thoughts still moving a mile a minute.

Molly told me before the press conference that she would meet me at my place. We haven’t spoken since, and does she know?

Will she be pissed?

Of course, she will be.

I should regret this, but I don’t. I don’t regret the leak, and I don’t regret the marriage, but what does that mean for the future?

Wholesome. Redemption.The words keep looping in my head, and for the first time, it doesn’t feel like a joke.

I pull out my phone and open my messages.

Hudson:Hey. We need to talk.

I stare at the message before hitting send.

This marriage might’ve started as an accident, but it doesn’t feel like one anymore.

Maybe it’s exactly what I need.

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