Beautiful Collide (Saints Of Redville #3)

Epilogue

Hudson

The crowd is buzzing.

Excitement courses through the air.

Today is my first game back since my injury.

It’s also the first time I’ve felt like myself since I got hurt.

Being on the ice is like being home.

As I step out onto the ice, it feels right.

I love everything about this. The way the ice glistens under the bright spotlights. The anticipation building as fans wave their signs and scream for their favorite players.

It’s all part of why I keep playing.

Normally, that’s enough for me to want to play hard, but tonight, it’s something else.

Tonight, hockey isn’t the only thing on my mind.

Tonight isn’t just about the game.

Tonight is about her.

Molly.

She’s somewhere in the family box. In the past, she never wanted to sit there, but now, since my family is there, she wants to be with them, and knowing her, she’s probably having the best time with my sister.

Things have been great with my family. I have no complaints, and lately, I can’t stop smiling. It helps that my parents are now swimming in dough. Ever since Molly spoke to my mom about me helping them, they became more open to it.

Thankfully, Coach came through, getting me an endorsement deal with a large organic grocery store. The connection has brought the farm a ton of new business, which has been great. They used the money to hire help, and now they have time to travel, see the world, and rack up a retirement fund. All thanks to Hex’s help.

The way she loves my family is how I know that I’ve made the right decision.

My heart pounds as I glance up at the booth, searching for her. And then I see her leaning over the railing, her hands clasped together as she talks to Josie and Anna.

She’s beautiful in a way that still knocks the wind out of me.

She’s effortless.

Radiant.

Mine.

A whistle from Mason snaps me out of my thoughts. “You ready for this?”

I turn to see him grinning like an idiot, his stick resting on his shoulder. Aiden and Dane are behind him, smirking, clearly in on the plan.

“Yeah,” I say. I keep my voice steady despite the fact that I feel anything but. “Let’s do it.”

The first period flies by in a blur.

We’re up by two.

The crowd is going nuts.

I love it.

Love being back on the ice.

As the second period winds down, my focus shifts.

During the intermission, I make my way to the locker room with the team, the adrenaline coursing through me like a live wire. Dane slaps me on the back as we pass through the tunnel.

“You nervous?” he mutters so no one hears.

“A little,” I admit. “But it’s a good kind of nervous.”

He smirks, shaking his head. “Good luck, man.”

As the third period begins, my nerves pick up. Not because of the game, though.

Nope, my nerves are because of the clock. I’m watching it, counting down the seconds.

It’s almost time to put my plan into action.

When we finally win—which obviously is a bonus since my plan would have happened regardless, but this is better—the crowd cheers.

But I have something bigger to celebrate.

The announcer’s voice booms over the speakers as the team lines up at center ice for the traditional post-game thank-you to the fans.

My heart pounds as I grab the microphone. It’s a well-thought-out plan, and luckily for me, Coach Robert was happy to speak to the GM and let me do this. The suits were excited too. The marketing team even more so.

None of that matters to me. I’m not doing it for views or likes. I’m doing it because I need to.

“Hey, everyone.” My voice echoes through the arena. “Can I have a moment of your time?” The crowd quiets at my words, all curious about what I’m about to say. “Before we wrap up tonight, there’s something I need to say. Something I’ve been waiting a long time to do.”

I glance up at the family box, locking eyes with Molly. Her brow furrows, her lips parting in confusion, and I know she’s trying to figure out what’s happening.

“Molly,” I say, my voice steady despite the way my chest is pounding. “Can you come down here?”

Again, this is not normal or protocol, but since we’ve won two Cups, and the crowd is sure to go nuts, I have a lot of leeway in what I’m allowed to do.

The crowd cheers, their excitement rippling through the arena as the spotlight shifts to her.

Josie nudges her, grinning, and Molly looks mortified.

“Come on. Don’t make me come up there.”

She groans, but she finally starts moving, making her way down the stairs.

Security leads her to the ice.

When she reaches me, I can’t help but smile at the way she crosses her arms. She looks confused and maybe a little pissed.

Fuck, I love this girl.

“What are you doing, Hudson?” she whispers under her breath.

“You’ll see.” I take her hand.

The crowd falls silent, the weight of the moment hanging heavy in the air.

I take a deep breath, turning to face her, my other hand resting on her shoulder. “Molly, when I met you, I thought you were my hex.” This is the first time I’ve publicly called her this, but it feels fitting and right. “You kind of lived up to the name at first.”

The crowd laughs, and Molly glares at me.

But despite that, I can see a flicker of amusement in her eyes.

“But then, something changed.” My voice softens. “You didn’t hex me. You saved me. You’ve been there for me in ways I didn’t even know I needed. You saw me at my worst and refused to let me give up. You’ve been my constant, my support. And as it turns out, you’re my good luck charm.”

Her eyes widen.

I drop to one knee, pulling a small box from my pocket.

The crowd gasps.

“I know we’ve technically done this before. But this time, I want to do it right. Molly, will you stay married to me? Not because of circumstance, but because I’m crazy about you? Because there’s no one else in this world I’d rather call my wife.”

The arena is dead silent for a beat, and then someone from the crowd yells, “Wait, aren’t they already married?”

Laughter ripples through the stands, but my eyes stay locked on Molly.

She’s quiet. Way too quiet. But then, finally, she lowers her hand. “Yes. Yes, I’ll stay married to you.”

The crowd erupts into cheers as I slip the ring onto her finger and then pick her up and fling her over my shoulder.

“I can’t believe you just did that,” she laughs.

“Believe it. You’re stuck with me, Hex.”

“Good. Because I wouldn’t want it any other way.”

Molly

Six months ago, I was lost.

My identity was so tightly wound around other people’s lives that I couldn’t see my own.

I thought being fired by Dane was the end of me.

Now, I know that none of my fears were real.

That I was scared, holding on to trauma, and not willing to let go.

Turns out, I did use that card that Hudson gave me.

It took a long time to muster up the strength, but then I did.

When Hudson found the strength to tell Coach about his injury, I found the strength to take the steps to heal myself.

It’s been a long road, but every day, I get closer to finding the closure I need and live in the moment, not the past.

Today, I sit in a hotel room in New York, laptop balanced on my knees. I should be working, but Hudson’s laughter drifting from the adjoining room has me smiling instead.

The guys are all playing cards.

The sound makes me feel alive.

Who knew this was where I’d find my extended family.

Because that’s what they have all become . . . my family.

This is my life now.

I close my laptop, leaning back in my chair and letting out a satisfied sigh. My latest project for the Saints social media team is done—photos, interviews, and short videos ready to upload.

Somehow, this job fell into my lap just when I needed it most.

I get to travel with the team, highlight their personalities, and showcase the work they do off the ice.

It’s more than a job. It’s a purpose.

And it fits.

Plus, I get to work with Josie, who has quickly become one of my best friends. Cassidy being the other, but she’s often busy with school.

“Molly.” Hudson’s voice booms as he leans into the room, his grin wide enough to light up the entire city. “Get your ass out here. We’re starting a new round, and Mason is already crying about losing to me.”

“I’m not crying,” Mason yells from the other room. “You’re a cheater.”

I laugh, setting my laptop aside. “Oh my God, fine. I’m coming.”

Hudson’s gaze softens as he meets my stare. “You good?”

“I’m great,” I say, standing and stretching.

He watches me closely, studying. He’s silently asking me about my panic attacks.

With the therapist’s help, the panic attacks that used to grip me have become rare. And when they do come, I know I’m not alone.

I cross the room and walk right into Hudson’s open arms, resting my forehead against his chest. “I love you.”

He kisses my hair. “I love you too, Hex.”

Together, we make our way to our friends. The card game is already chaos, and round two hasn’t even begun.

Josie is perched on the arm of Dane’s chair, whispering into his ear. Cassidy is laughing so hard she’s nearly crying.

“Just admit you all cheated,” Mason grumbles.

Aiden raises an eyebrow. “How can we all cheat? Maybe you just suck, Mason. That sounds more plausible.”

Mason throws his cards down dramatically. “You know nothing.”

Hudson leads me to the couch, and we sit down.

He throws an arm around my shoulders, pulling me close. “This is what I love,” he murmurs.

“What? Watching Mason and Aiden bicker like an old married couple?”

“That, and this.” He gestures to the group. “All of us together. It feels right.”

I glance around the room, my chest tightening.

He’s right. This is right.

And as we sit here, surrounded by the laughter of our family , I know one thing for certain.

I’m not that scared, broken girl in the closet anymore.

I’m Molly Wilde—free, loved, and exactly where I’m meant to be.