Page 50 of Beautiful Collide

Aiden:Probably why he’s still breathing. He’d enjoy that too much.

Hudson:Can someone remind me why I hang out with you guys?

Dane:Because we keep you humble. And alive.

Mason:Barely alive after today. ??

Hudson:I’m muting this chat.

Aiden:Admit it, you love us.

Hudson:I’m blocking all of you.

Dane:Sure, you are. Just don’t be lateagain,or we’re putting you in a helmet cam next time.

Mason:Omg. A Hudson Wilde highlight reel of shame. I’ll edit it.

Aiden:10/10 content.

Hudson:I actually hate you.

14

Hudson

I findher near the team’s lounge, scrolling through her phone like nothing happened. Like she didn’t just unleash the kind of chaos usually reserved for a Black Friday sale.

“Molly,” I call out, my voice sharp enough to make her flinch.

She glances up, the picture of pure innocence. “Oh, hey, Hudson. You good?”

“Am I good?” My voice rises. “You unleashed a freaking stampede on me.”

Her eyebrows furrow, and she tilts her head like she has no idea what I’m talking about. “I have no clue what’s got you so hot and bothered.”

“Don’t play dumb, Hex,” I snap. “I saw the security footage.”

Her mouth falls open, her brows shooting up. “You looked at the security footage?”

“Yeah, I did,” I retort, stepping closer. “Why wouldn’t I when someone decided to yell my name in a crowd full of teenagers and send them charging after me like I’m Justin freakin’ Bieber?”

“That’s unhinged.” She crosses her arms at her chest. “Who even does that?”

“Someone who just got trampled by a mob, that’s who.” I throw my hands in the air. “What is wrong with you?”

“Oh, please.” She rolls her eyes. “It was just a bunch of teenagers. You’re being a little dramatic for someone who gets bodychecked for a living.”

Before I can respond, Dane appears from around the corner, his face twisted into a scowl. “What did you say, sis?” He lifts a brow. “You think I let anyone body check Hudson? I’m the best enforcer this team’s ever had.”

Molly scrunches her nose. “What a fragile male ego. I’m disappointed in you, brother. Relax.”

“Relax?” he repeats, stepping closer. “Do you know how hard I work to keep this team safe?”

“Oh, we all know,” Mason chimes in from the couch, grinning as he leans back with a soda. “Big, scary Dane, always protecting his precious forwards.”

“Shut up, Mason,” Dane snaps, his glare cutting through the room.

Mason shrugs, unfazed. “Hey, I’m just saying, maybe if you’d been there earlier, you could’ve saved Hudson’s ass from the teenage stampede.”

---