Page 33 of Hat Trick Holidate

She laughs. “Wynward, calm down. We’ll be fine, and I think we’ll stay in today and just hang out.”

“Okay. Bye.”

“Bye.”

Her voice filters through my ear when her brother comes into view. “Are you fucking crazy?”

It’s obvious Emmaline has told him about our arrangement.

“My sister is a child counselor, not a fucking nanny. I didn’t mind her helping you out, but we live in a big fucking city, and I’m sure there are lots of professional nanny services. I don’t like this. Not at all,” he preaches. “She’s off limits.”

Rustavelli attempts to storm off, but I stop him in his tracks. “Yeah, she told me about the no hockey teammates rule.”

“Why in the fuck would she tell you about that? Did you ask her out? Did you try to get in her pants? Everyone knows how you bed hop.”

I chuckle. “Is that what it’s called? Bed hopping.” I break into a deep belly laugh as we’re walking into the locker room. Roman’s face is blood red and so to put him at ease, I say, “Sorry. I’ve never heard that term. I’m not dating anyone at the moment, but Jolie still isn’t speaking, and she’s fond of your sister. My daughter has been put through a traumatic experience with her fucking mom dropping her off like she’s groceries. So, I thought that since I know I can trust my teammate’s sister to not use the situation to blackmail me or get something out of it, she would be perfect. Plus, when Jolie decides to trust her, she’ll open up to me too.”

Roman is completely disarmed. “Damn, man. I’m sorry. It’s just… my sister has been through a lot, and she moved here for me. To support me. I guess I’m a little jealous that she won’t have the free time to hang out.”

“You’re welcome at my house anytime, Rustavelli.”

The fellas file into the locker room. Since it’s a late-morning practice, everyone is chatty. Reedflicks me with his practice jersey. “Are you sending Jolie to Admire, or did you like another school better?”

“I’m not sending her until January. Emmaline and I thought it would be best if I used this time to get to know her.”

“Jolie. He means get to know Jolie,” Roman insists.

“Somehow, I have to get her to speak. I’m hoping with Emmaline’s background, she can break through Jolie’s walls.”

Reed slaps my back. “You need to call her mom and ask her if this is normal for Jolie. Has she ever talked? Oh, and Brooke is going live with the app tomorrow.”

“I’ll call Francesca again after practice. I need to know why Jolie only has dresses and church shoes. I have so many questions.” I don’t address the dating app thing because I have zero time.

Coach comes in, banging his hand against the lockers. “Listen up. After warmups, we’re scrimmaging line one versus line two. Lines three and four will work in the practice area on shots. Then we’ll switch.”

“Yes, sir.”

The players nod, knowing that this is a chance to compete for a spot on the first line. Cross and Rustavelli share a look, their competitive sides already fired up. “Come on,” I say, clapping Cross on the shoulder. “Let’s go kick some ass.”

“Be there in one minute.” I glance at my phone and shoot Emmaline a text.

Me: Your brother is on my ass.

Emmaline: He’s a cub. I’m the tiger.

Fuck, if I don’t love her spunk.

She’s the one who said we needed to draw an imaginary line, yet she flirts and gets me riled up with her sass. The night we spent together was different, and now I know why. She lives free. Says what she wants. Does what she wants, including MMA. God, that’s hot. No wonder she let me bend her in all those positions. And why her strong legs and ass are toned even though they’re bigger than any girl I’ve been with.

Rustavelli slaps the back of my head. “Come on, Cap.”

Meeting my team on the ice, I lead warmups like any good captain. We work our way through stretches, skate the perimeter, line drills without the stick or puck, and then the coach begins the scrimmage.

Four hours later, I’m so anxious to return home to Emmaline and Jolie that I don’t even shower, but when I get there, no one’s home. Checking my phone, I missed a text.

Emmaline: Went for a walk to get some fresh air.

I hit the like emoji, take out a protein shake from the fridge, downing it in less than a minute. It’s nutrient rich, full of spinach, berries, and bananas, but the base is plain, unsweetened yogurt. I have a chef who comes three times a week to prepare my meals and shakes.

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