Page 97 of The Hat Trick

I won’t tell them I don’t know how Chandler would feel about that considering I think we are still supposed to be casual. Even if this is anything but casual for me. The feelings that are getting harder and harder to hide from her are bound to come spilling out at some point.

“Good luck on your games, we will be cheering you on and I’ll be calming your mother down every time you get hit.”

“Love you guys,” I announce before we hang up.

Looking at the time, I end up taking a quick nap before heading to practice. I’m not usually a napping guy, I know a lot of the guys will have pregame naps, but not me. I need to stay hyped, but I’m exhausted and need to rest for just a couple minutes.

As soon as my eyes shoot open, I remember why I don’t nap. There’s a pounding at my door telling me to get my ass up, my mind is foggy as I try to wake up. I throw on a shirt and sweats before throwing the door open and coming face to face with McQuaid.

“Please tell me I interrupted something good,” he smirks.

“Yeah, my fucking nap.” I push past him so we can leave.

McQuaid follows behind me. “Did you talk to Chandler last night?”

“Of course, I did.”

“Did she talk about how much she misses me?”

I scoff, “You fucking wish, McQuaid.”

The guy might still drive me crazy, but I feel like we haven’t been at each other’s throats as much recently. He’s still an asshole. And I still don’t understandwhyChandler was okay with him becoming involved. But I wasn’t going to stop her, she is in control and whether she knows it or not she has us all wrapped around her finger.

During practice we run some drills and mostly do conditioning. Our coaches aren’t planning to switch up any lines or plays for the next couple games, especially since we’ve been doing so well.

Collee and I sit on the bench for a break while another line is on the ice.

“Did you call her?” I ask, needing to know.

He nods. “Yeah, she was at work and busy with some project, so we didn’t talk long.”

“Did it help?”

I catch the small smile he tries to hide. “Yeah, it did.”

I smile proudly right before Coach yells at us to get back on the ice. We have some games to win, and I just hope Collee is being honest.

31

The team looks great.

We are playing fucking amazing.

Everyone is getting along for the most part.

There’s a woman in my life that I can’t stop thinking about.

Yet, there’s always something that lingers in my life that stands in the way of me having full happiness. Right now, that thing is my brother, Brandon.

I know Dumont noticed something was up with me, which is why he pushed me to talk to Chandler. When I did talk to her, I could tell she saw it too, but I can’t help it. I am pulling away from her and from the situation because I don’t want her or anyone to get hurt in case shit hits the fan. And with the way Brandon has started coming out of the woods lately has me feeling that/like it’s only a matter of time.

It started with a text from him, completely innocent sounding, asking how I am. When I didn’t respond he texted again saying he needs help and that he’s ready.

When Istilldidn’t respond he started calling. He leaves messages and plays up the pain in his voice while he begs me for help and that he’s ready to change. I haven’t called him back, but I know he’s playing the rest of our siblings because they are all starting to believe him. Which means they are coming to me telling me to give him one more chance.

I just don’t think I can.

But it doesn’t stop me from feeling bad for him and the situation he’s in which weighs on me and I know it’s affecting my game. I know it is making me not myself. Plus, I wasn’t lying when I told Dumont it’s the pressure because it is. It’s pressure from my siblings. It’s pressure from the team, from the fans, from our coaches and management. I tend to thrive on it, but everyone has a breaking point.

---