Page 33 of The Hat Trick

Blah, blah, blah.Shit I’ve heard my whole life, and I’m sick of it. He’s never even played hockey before, he doesn’t understand what it’s like to be on the ice, and getting so pissed off you have to handle it. As the prodigal son he loves to show off to everyone, he wants me to be perfect. But that’s just not the case.

I leave my phone on the nightstand, ignoring all the messages. I’ll deal with them another time. Now, I just want to go to sleep and prepare for the game tomorrow. Back-to-back road games are the fucking worst. At least we won tonight, because it’s even worse when I beat myself up over a loss, and don’t have any way to let out the aggression. Like a good fuck. When we fly out right after a game, I’m not able to pick up a puck bunny for a quickie, then send her on her way.

Not unless I pull what Dumont did and brought a bunny on the road for convenient pussy. And then there’s what I saw the other night where she was on Collee’s lap at the bar. I don’t think they saw me, and I didn’t stick around long. It surprised me that Dumont would be willing to share, he doesn’t seem like the type. I oddly respect him for it.

It confuses me as to why he got defensive when I suggested sleeping with her, but whatever. I know the guy has issues with me, like most of the team. I’m not here to make friends, I’m here to play the game. They can trust me on the ice to have their back. Off the ice, I don’t give a shit what they think about me.

I strip off all my clothes before laying on the soft bed and falling asleep.

* * *

We endedup finishing out our road trip with two more wins and one more loss. And then after a couple of days off we have one more week of home games before we get a small break for Christmas. And by small break I mean four days. And two of those we still have practice.

When I finally decided to check the messages from my dad, I wasn’t even slightly surprised by what he was saying. It was everything I knew he would, and then some. Because he reminded me of the charity event on Christmas Eve that most of the team is going to. And so will he.

Of course, he has to make his appearance where he knows there will be publicity. Good old Bruce McQuaid will never turn down an opportunity to show the world he is my father.

Unless, of course, it’s coming to actual games because he would much rather get the updates from home and then bring it up to me like he knows what he’s talking about. I used to care when I was growing up, every kid wants their dad to be at their games, but I stopped looking for him in the stands after a handful of them.

Just like now, I know no one is here for me as I finish up in the locker room in our home rink after yet another win. Obviously, there’s the puck bunnies that will wait around and act like they are here for me, when in reality they are here for any of the guys. Whoever is willing to give them a chance.

I head out to the tunnel, and instead of noticing the group of girls hanging around, I see a curvy brunette in a Dragons jersey, leaning against a wall with one leg crossed over the other, looking down at her phone. I recognize who she is instantly and decide to stir the pot instead of minding my own business like I know I should.

I stride over to her with a purpose, bracing my hands on either side of her head and leaning down over her. She pockets her phone, and glares at me.

“What are you doing, McQuaid?”

“I just wanted to see who you were waiting for, Little Bunny.”

Her eyes narrow, and her lip turns up in a snarl. “Don’t call me that, and it’s none of your business.”

“Don’t call you what? Little Bunny? Doesn’t sleeping with two hockey players at the same time qualify you as a puck bunny?”

She gasps, and pushes at my chest, but I don’t move. “You’re such an asshole, get away from me.”

“I’m just wondering when I can get my turn?” I lean forward more so our chests brush, and my mouth is close to her ear. “I bet you like to take it hard while being told what a good little slut you are.”

Her breath hitches, so slightly, but I catch it. I purposely let my lips touch her ear ever so slightly as I pull back. She’s still looking at me like she’s seconds away from pushing me , but she doesn’t.

“You’ll never find out.”

I’m about to retort, but a hand on my shoulder pulls me back, and I’m face to face with a pissed off Dumont.

“The fuck did I tell you McQuaid?”

I smirk, “It seems like you’re down to share now, figured I’d add myself to the list.”

“You motherfucker, how do you—”

Collee steps between us, forcing Dumont to back away from me.

“Don’t do something you’re going to regret,” Collee tells him, his voice low. I look, and see we’ve gathered a small audience, no one important and by some miracle none of our other teammates witnessed the small interaction.

Dumont walks around Collee, and up to me. “You don’t fucking touch her. If she wants you, she will tell you.”

I smile wide, “And she will.”

He pushes past me, right over to Chandler, who is still staring me down. I wink in her direction before approaching the group of girls that have been standing around. With a smile, I can take any of them home with me. Or all of them.

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