Page 17 of The Hat Trick

I cut off whatever she was going to say with my mouth on hers again. Cupping her face, I meet her hazel eyes, and smile.

“I’ll call you,” I repeat.

She doesn’t argue this time, just nods as I finally make myself leave her house.

* * *

I’m sittingby Collee on the team’s jet, as we fly to Montreal for our first game of this road trip. I wanted to try and get some sleep on the long flight, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. Not with the way Matt is going on and on about who knows what to anyone that will listen.

“He’s such an asshole,” I mutter.

“Yeah, but he’s still our teammate,” Collee shrugs. I know he’s used to dealing with annoyances, he basically raised his four younger siblings. No one knows too much about his history, but I know that much.

“He still sucks.”

“He’s a good player.”

“He sucks as a person.”

“You got me there, how did things go with that girl from yesterday, by the way?”

I smile at the memory of Chandler, her body on mine, how she tasted, what she looked like when she came. How peaceful she slept, how her body felt so perfect in my hands. Collee isn’t one to pry, and I know if I told him I didn’t want to talk about it he would drop it. I also haven’t had anyone Iwantedto talk about before.

“Things went great, she’s…I dunno, man. She’s amazing.”

He nudges my shoulder with his. “You in love already, Dumont?”

I scoff, “No, nothing like that. We are staying casual, she’s the one who wanted it that way.”

“Shewanted that, huh?”

“Yup.”

I choose not to tell him how we met, and that she clearly had some issues seeing her ex with his new wife, and I wonder how recently they broke up. She might not be completely over him, and even though I hate the thought that she’s just using me as a rebound, I know it’s a real possibility. But all I can do is be myself, and either it will work out or it won’t.

“Dumont,” a voice I instantly know is McQuaid’s calls out, and I want to ignore him. I really do. I could put my headphones on and pretend I don’t hear him. Then he calls out my name again.

“What?” I snap.

“I just wanted to see if you were done with that bunny from last night, and if I can have my turn?” his stupid smug face is smirking at me. I know he doesn’t mean it, and that he’s just trying to get under my skin.

But goddammit, it works.

“I told you not to fucking talk about her, McQuaid.”

“I just want to know when you’re ready to share, that’s all.”

I start to rise from my seat, but am stopped by Brent’s hand on my shoulder, pushing me down. “Don’t,” he warns.

I’ve never fought a teammate, never even been close. I know of other players who have, but something about the way McQuaid keeps trying to get under my skin makes me want to change that. Instead, I listen to Collee and ignore him. Opting to put my headphones on and drown everyone out for the rest of the flight.

It’s late when we arrive, and we are taken right to the hotel. We’ll have morning skate before the game tomorrow and dealing with time changes on the road like this fucking sucks. I get to my room, and immediately change into some sweatpants and no shirt to sleep in.

As I lay in bed, I call Chandler because I can’t help myself. After the fourth ring I’m not sure if she’s going to answer, but then I’m greeted by her voice.

“Hey,” she says cheerfully.

“Hey yourself, I just got to the hotel in Montreal.”

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