Page 85 of Hat Trick Daddies

What if someone at work knows? What if they’re whispering about me behind my back? My eyes dart around, landing on a group of people laughing near the concession stand. I can’t hear what they’re saying, but my brain decides it must be about me.

I bite my lip hard, trying to ground myself, but the rush of hormones and anxiety surges like a tidal wave.

You’re being crazy, Ally, I tell myself.

No one knows. No one can tell. But logic doesn’t stand a chance against the flood of emotions coursing through me. My hands tremble as I grip the edge of my coat tighter.

In a desperate attempt to distract myself, I pull out my phone. My fingers are cold as they swipe across the screen, navigating to the email confirming my application submission. My chest tightens as I see the words again:Thank you for applying.

Washington State. A fresh start. Far from Minnesota, far from the team, far from everything.

I open the document for the sixtieth time, scanning my resume and cover letter again even though I know they’re flawless. Each word feels heavy now, a testament to my desperation to leave.

The confirmation email sits in my inbox like a safety net, a lifeline to something new. It’s my way out, my chance to escape this mess I’ve created.

But as much as I want to feel relieved, all I feel is guilt.

Guilt for leaving, guilt for not telling the guys about my plans, guilt for wanting to run away instead of facing everything head-on.

I close the app and tuck my phone back into my bag, my heart sinking.

I can’t sit still anymore, but I don’t know where to go. All I know is that I can’t shake the feeling that everything is crumbling, no matter how hard I try to hold it together.

The sharp blast of the referee’s whistle signals the start of the game. The players skate out onto the ice, their movements powerful and smooth, like gliding shadows under the bright arena lights.

My heart skips when I see Brooks climbing awkwardly onto one of the benches behind the boards and leaning his crutches against the wall.

I hadn’t been sure if he’d be here today, and relief floods me at the sight of him. For a brief moment, he looks around, and then he sees me. His tense expression gives way to a grin and he waves up at me.

A wink follows.

The gesture is so quick, so casual, but it makes my face heat up. My cheeks flush as I quickly glance down, biting the edge of my lip to suppress a grin.

It’s ridiculous how much that little acknowledgment does to me, but my chest feels tight in the best way.

I lean back in my seat, trying to shake it off, but my eyes wander back to the ice.

Nick and Tyler are skating furiously around, both fiercely in their element. Nick moves with precision, his body a study in control, while Tyler’s energy radiates with raw enthusiasm. A pang of sadness blooms deep in my chest.

Leaving won’t just mean walking away from this job or this city, it means walking away from them. The realization cuts deeper than I’d expected, and it makes my decision to move feel even heavier.

I’m still lost in thought, the roar of the crowd fading into white noise, when someone plops down in the seat beside me. Startled, I glance over to see Kenzie’s familiar face beaming at me.

“Hey, stranger!” she chirps, her voice bright enough to cut through my haze.

“Kenzie!” I reply, my tone strained despite my attempt at enthusiasm.

Her brow furrows, and she studies me for a moment. “Okay, what’s up? You look like you’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders.”

I shrug, avoiding her gaze. “It’s nothing. I’m fine.”

Kenzie isn’t buying it. She leans in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “Is it…the baby?”

I let out a groan, slumping back in my seat. “Yes. No. Well…sort of.”

She nods knowingly, not pressing for more just yet. The crowd erupts in cheers as a goal is scored, but the excitement doesn’t reach me. My thoughts feel heavier than the noise around me, and it’s clear that Kenzie’s noticed.

Kenzie touches my arm gently, her eyes searching mine. “Ally,” she says softly. “What’s going on? You can tell me.”

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