Page 17 of Hat Trick Daddies

Nick only goes silent when he’s mad.

“You’re mad,” I say, breaking the quiet, my tone light and probing.

“I’m not mad,” he replies, though the clipped edge in his voice says otherwise.

I let out a low chuckle, shaking my head. “You’re always quiet when you’re mad.” It’s a tactic I’ve used a hundred times before, poking at him until he lets whatever he’s holding back slip.

Nick sighs, a long exhale that seems to carry more weight than I expected. Finally, he turns his head, giving me a pointed look. “Maybe I like her too, all right?”

His words catch me off guard. I glance at him, my brows lifting, then return my focus to the road.

“Oh, really?” I drawl, a slow smirk creeping back onto my face. “Well, in that case, maybe you should make your move before I ruin her for the rest of you guys out there.”

Nick scowls, his lips pressing into a thin line, but there’s something in his expression— amusement, irritation, or maybe a mix of both, that makes me grin wider.

“You’re such a jackass,” he mutters, shaking his head.

“Yeah, but if I’m a jackass, so are you, twin brother,” I shoot back, laughing. It’s a line I’ve used on him a dozen times, but it still earns a reluctant smile from him.

He rolls his shoulders, the tension finally easing as he leans back in his seat. “Fine. Then I guess I’ll have to win her over before you mess everything up.”

“Good luck with that,” I say, my voice dripping with mock seriousness. “May the best brother win.”

Nick’s grin returns, more genuine this time, and he nods. “You’re on.”

For a moment, the atmosphere in the car shifts back to its usual dynamic, light, competitive, filled with the kind of banter that’s second nature to us. But I can’t help but wonder just how serious Nick is about Ally.

I know I am—serious enough to make tonight interesting, at least.

We pull into the small parking lot behind Surf’s Up. The bold, flashing letters ofSURF’S UPreflect on the hood of my car.

I ease into a space near the back of the lot and kill the engine.

Sliding out of the car, I stretch, the cool night air brushing against my skin.

Nick shuts the passenger door behind him and joins me as we head toward the entrance.

“Place is packed tonight,” I say, my eyes flicking over the rows of cars lining the street. It’s a mix of clunky sedans, sleek sports cars, and everything in between—a testament to the bar’s eclectic crowd.

“Yeah,” Nick replies, his tone distracted. He suddenly stops, his gaze locked on the front window. “Wait, there she is.”

I follow his nod, and sure enough, Ally’s inside. She’s sitting at the bar, one elbow propped on the counter as she holds a drink in her hand. The light catches her blonde hair, making it shine like gold against the backdrop of the tiki-themed chaos.

She looks even better than she did earlier, less guarded, more natural.

“Well, well,” I say, my grin widening as I reach for the door handle. “Let the games begin, brother.”

Nick chuckles softly as I hold the door open for him. “Just don’t embarrass yourself, Ty.”

“Please,” I reply, throwing him a wink. “I’m about to give her the best night of her life.”

Once inside, my eyes immediately find Ally again. She glances toward the door, her gaze landing on us for a brief moment before she quickly looks away.

The flicker of recognition in her eyes sends a jolt of satisfaction through me.

“Game on,” I murmur under my breath, my grin widening as I start weaving my way through the crowd.

Nick shakes his head but follows, his expression a mix of amusement and resignation. “Try not to blow it in the first five minutes, Ty.”

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