Page 32 of The Hat Trick

“Oh, your boy is in the no-no box,” Audrey says with a teasing tone.

I scoff, “Matt McQuaid is not my boy. Never will be.”

“You’re right, two is enough.”

“Are you judging me?” I smack her with a throw pillow.

“I would never, it’s all jealousy from me.”

“If you’re so jealous, then you go for ‘manwhore’ McQuaid.”

She shakes her head. “Nope, no way, he made eyes at you at the game.”

“And I’m sure he makes those eyes at anyone with tits. He’s an asshole, and I think my hands are more than full with my current situation.”

We continue to watch the game, and there aren’t any more fights. Which is somewhat of a disappointment because they do make the game extra interesting. Denver ends up winning six-to-two, Audrey and I jump up on a celebration as we watch the guys all hug the goalie after the final buzzer.

I do my nightly routine before changing into my pajamas and crawling into bed to watch some TV before I fall asleep. I texted Vince a congratulations text after the game but haven’t heard from him. I’m dozing off to sleep when my phone rings, and I see it’s him. I bite back the smile as I answer his FaceTime. It’s dark, and I recognize he’s on the bus with the whole team, which surprises me.

“Hey,” he smiles at me.

“Congrats on the win,” I tell him.

“Thanks, I think we were all a little fired up tonight.”

He points the camera over, and I recognize the chiseled face and dirty blond hair of Brent sitting next to him. I take it as a good sign that things aren’t awkward between them. I wish I could say the same. I hide behind a smile when I tell him congrats on the win as well.

He smiles without showing his teeth. “Thanks, Chandler.”

Vince comes back into frame. “I just wanted to make sure I called you before you go to sleep, I’m going to pass the fuck out as soon as I can.”

I chuckle, “No celebration for you tonight?”

“Nah, we fly out tonight since we have back-to-back games.”

The schedule for hockey is insane. They play multiple times a week, and sometimes two days in a row. For such a physically demanding sport it’s surprising they do this the entire season.

“Well, I’ll let you get your beauty rest then, you need it,” I joke.

“Careful with your sass, or I’ll have to do something about it,” his voice drops. Clearly, Brent still hears him because I hear the slight chuckle and my cheeks flush as I remember our night together. I know for a fact; Brent would do something about my attitude if given the chance.

“You’re too far away to make threats.”

“I’ll be back in a week, so don’t get too comfortable with me being gone.”

“Goodnight, Vince,” I roll my eyes. Mostly to tempt the beast.

“Goodnight.”

“Goodnight, Brent,” I call out for some unknown reason.

Vince angles the camera toward him again, and he meets my eyes through the screen. “Goodnight, Chandler.”

13

When we land in North Carolina, I knew I would have a shit ton of messages from my dad. He started blowing up my phone while we were still on the bus, but I don’t answer him around my teammates. Which is why I wait until we get to the hotel, and I’m in my room before turning my phone back on.

The texts come through immediately, all talking about the game. The fight I got in. Why he doesn’t understand why I can’t just play the game, and why I have to get into fights.

---