Page 19 of Hat Trick Heart

“I think you can play this Saturday. So make sure you get to practice tomorrow. And get some rest tonight. Don’t fucking party all night long.”

I smirk and roll my eyes. “You know that’s not my speed, Coach.”

“Yeah. But I didn’t think you’d break some guy’s jaw either. Things change, LaCourt.”

I nod my head and stand, leaving the office behind and running my hand through my hair. I can’t believe this idiocy but it’s a mess of my own making so I’ll have to do what I need to do to be back in the game.

I smile and put my hands in my pocket, whistling as I walk away. I’m about to go back to my first love, the game. And I’ve got a new love that’s even stronger than the first. I couldn’t be happier than I feel right this second.

I’m a lucky fucking guy.

I walk out the door, ignoring the guard and get in my car, heading into town to find something new for my girl. I need to find the perfect adornment for the woman I intend to make mine forever.

After a satisfying day shopping and finding the perfect London Topaz ring that’s set in a platinum filigree setting that’s as delicate and lovely as she is, I slip the box into my pocket and head to my car.

I step out of the door and groan when I look up at the snow floating down heavier than I’ve seen so far this year.

“What the hell?” I groan, staring at it. I pull my phone out and feel my heart slam against my ribs when I see the Iceman warning. I suppose since I was busy with falling for my little angel, I hadn’t been paying attention to the weather and I’m paying for it now. The sky is dark and the streets are mostly empty. I grab my SUV and head to Sassy’s house, sure that she’s home by now.

But when I pull up at her house it’s still dark and no matter how many times I bang on her door, nobody answers.

“Shit!” I grunt and try calling her but she doesn’t answer. Then I try the library and it just switches over to voicemail.

“Damnit!” I growl and slam my car into gear and head straight for the library, searching the streets for her car, hoping that she hasn’t been in an accident.

But when I pull up to the library, I see her car sitting in the parking lot. I see a shadow moving in the dark cabin and immediately slam it into park and leap out. I bang on the window and almost cry with relief when I see her face in the shadows. She opens the door and her head stays down, she won’t meet my eyes.

“What are you doing here, Emile?”

Her voice is soft and sweet but a little stiff.

“I came to make sure that you’re alright. What’s wrong, angel?”

“You didn’t need to do that. I’m fine.”

“Why are you sitting here in this parking lot then? And your car isn’t on?”

“I don’t know what’s wrong with it. It just won’t start.”

“Why didn’t you call me? I would come get you right away.”

She sighs. “I wasn’t sure…after you left this morning and didn’t tell me…”

“I left a note. On the fridge.”

Her eyes come up for the first time and I can see the little glint of them in the dark. “Oh… I didn’t have time to get anything to eat this morning. I slept late.”

“Must have been cause you were up late last night,” I tease her and she blushes.

“I’m sure that must be it.”

“Anyway. Why don’t you come on and I’ll take you home, angel?”

“I called a tow truck.”

I nod at the snow falling in thick sheets of white all around us. “I have a feeling it might be a long wait. I want to take you home. Why don’t you just let me and we’ll worry about your car later?”

“I—I suppose so.” She grabs her things and steps out of the car, slipping a little on the ice.

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