Page 21 of The Hat Trick

“Dad, I need to breathe.”

He pulls away, still smiling wide. “Can’t I be excited to see my child?”

“Yeah, but you can’t kill me first.”

He wraps his arm around my shoulder for a half hug as we walk to the parking lot. “My dramatic child. What’s the reason for the surprise visit anyway?”

I had an entire plane ride to come up with an excuse, but none of them were great. So, I tell him the best one I have.

“My friend invited me out for a hockey game.”

“Hockey? Since when are you interested in hockey?”

“Since forever, Dad, anyway, thank you for letting me take over the spare bedroom.”

“Don’t act like you’re such a stranger, of course you can always stay with us. Plus, that used to be your bedroom.”

As we drive to my childhood home, I wonder how long it’ll take until I’m desperate to leave. My money is on ten minutes.

* * *

It took five.

After my sisters Autumn and Abigail came home from school they started complaining about everything under the sun before Dad finally took them to whatever dance lesson they have. I’m forever thankful when I hear from Vince.

“A few of the guys on the team are wanting to go out, do you want to come with?”

“Anything to get me out of here.” I’m already ripping through the small bag I packed to find something to wear.

“We are staying at the Four Seasons, but I can send a car for you.”

“No, no that’s okay, I’ll come to you.”

The last thing I need is my mom or sisters finding out about any of this. I can only imagine the ridiculous things they will say to me. How I’m not good enough for him, why would anyone like that want me, and on and on. I’ve worked hard to be confident in myself, who I am, and what I look like. I don’t need their toxicity to taint that once again.

I’m greeted in the lobby of the hotel by a jean clad Vince sitting on one of the velvet couches, his ankle across his other knee, even though he’s wearing a gray hoodie, he still looks like he walked out of a magazine. His face lights up with a smile when he sees me approach.

He stands up, and immediately wraps his arms around me in a tight hug before pressing his lips to mine briefly.

“I’m so glad you came,” he says, still holding onto me.

I wave him off like it isn’t a big deal. “Not like I’ve had anything better to do.”

“The other guys already left; I told them I’d catch up.”

We go out to where a black SUV is waiting for us, and the driver takes us wherever we are going. I realize for the first time that we are going somewhere with his other teammates, and my anxiety spikes. Being alone with Vince is one thing. Being in public with him is another. Now, being in public with him, and other guys on his team. This whole stupid trip seems like a horrible idea.

9

Chandler is nervous.

I felt it as soon as we got into the car. She locked up and has barely spoken. I realize this all might have been too much too soon, but for some reason I can’t help myself. I do everything big; I always have. Subtle isn’t in my vocabulary. Neither is failure. When I want something or someone, I go for it full force.

When I learned I liked hockey, I knew I would have to go pro. Anything less wouldn’t have been enough for me. I like being with Chandler, and I want to keep having her around. Which is why I’ll continue to do everything tokeepher around.

She looks so unbelievably hot in her tight jeans and sweater that shows her ample cleavage. I wanted to take her right up to my room as soon as I saw her, but the anticipation is part of the fun. And so will be teasing her.

We are brought directly to the VIP area of the dark club when we arrive, and I see Collee sitting with a drink in his hand talking to one of our goalies, Jared Colver. There are a few other guys around, and I’m thankful I don’t see McQuaid. I’m pretty sure he came along, but he must be off somewhere else right now.

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