Page 30 of Hat Trick Daddies

When we head back to the truck, the silence follows us like a shadow. As he starts the engine, I glance at him from the corner of my eye. His jaw is tight, his gaze focused on the road ahead.

The tension is almost unbearable.

I want to say something, anything, to break the thick quiet, but no words come.

The truck idles at a red light, the soft rumble of the engine the only sound between us. I can tell Brooks is wrestling with something in his mind.

Finally, he glances at me, his tone casual but his words anything but. “You know, I could help you out with that whole virgin thing.”

My mouth drops open slightly, and the air in the cab feels like it’s been sucked out completely.

For a moment, all I can do is stare at him. “What?” I manage to choke out, my voice barely above a whisper.

He shrugs, his gaze still on the road. “I mean, if it’s just about learning the ropes. No pressure, no strings. I’d make sure you’re comfortable.”

My mind races.

Do I want to slap him or…consider it?

Because as shocking as his offer is, I can’t deny the flicker of intrigue it sparks.

Brooks is ruggedly handsome, kind in his gruff way, and, if I’m being honest, I’ve been fantasizing about what it would be like to be with him since I started this job.

But then reality crashes in.

What if we get caught? What if this ruins my fellowship and tanks my career before it even begins?

The thought twists my stomach, and I press my lips together, unsure of what to say.

I stare out the window, chewing on my bottom lip as his words sink in. On one hand, the idea is utterly insane. On the other…it has a certain charm. Brooks is trustworthy, handsome, and has a confidence about him that makes me feel safe.

But my job…

“I don’t know,” I say finally, my voice soft. “It’s a bad idea, isn’t it? With work and everything?”

He glances at me briefly, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Look, I get it. You don’t want to mess up your career. But trust me, I’ve got just as much to lose. I’m ancient for a hockey player. One wrong move and I’m done. So, if we do this, it stays between us. No one needs to know.”

The reassurance settles something in me, and I meet his gaze. His eyes are steady, sincere, and it’s enough to make me believe him.

I take a deep breath, nodding slowly. “Okay. But only if we’re careful. Really careful.”

His smile widens, just slightly, and he nods. “Of course.”

The tension in the cab eases as we start talking again, this time with a lighter, flirtatious edge. I catch myself smiling more, my nerves giving way to a fluttery excitement.

Brooks teases me about my meticulous inventory skills, and I shoot back that he’s probably never organized anything in his life.

“Hey, I’ve organized plenty,” he counters, grinning. “I can even alphabetize…when I feel like it.”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Sure you can, Brooks.”

The playful banter fills the truck, making the drive back to work feel shorter than it is. My earlier doubts still linger, but they’re drowned out by the way he looks at me, a mix of warmth and something deeper I can’t quite place.

When we pull into the rink’s parking lot, he parks the truck and turns to me. “So, tonight?” he asks, his tone casual, but his eyes holding a quiet intensity.

I nod, my cheeks warming. “Yeah. Tonight.”

He smiles, a rare, genuine expression that softens the rough edges of his face.

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