Page 9 of Hat Trick Daddies

Tyler rolls his eyes. “Relax, Grandpa. We’re paying attention.”

“No, you’re drooling,” Brooks snaps. “Both of you need to stop acting like hound dogs for five minutes. She’s a doctor, not another puck bunny.”

Tyler grins, unfazed. “You’re just jealous because you’ve forgotten how to have fun.”

Brooks’ dark glare deepens, and I chuckle under my breath, enjoying how easy it is to rile him up.

“Seriously, though,” Tyler says, nodding toward Ally, “if she’s off-limits, that’s a damn shame. But, hey, I like a good challenge.”

Brooks groans, pinching the bridge of his nose like he can’t believe he’s stuck with us. “Just don’t get yourselves benched over this,” he mutters. “Also, for the record, I was married. So don’t act like I don’t know what it’s like to chase after someone.”

Tyler and I exchange a surprised glance. Brooks hardly ever brings up his ex-wife. His ears are pink, and I can tell he’s uncomfortable, even if he’s trying to play it cool.

“Sorry, man,” I say quietly, feeling a little bad for ribbing him. Tyler mumbles a similar apology, his smirk dropping just slightly.

Brooks shrugs, his gaze flicking away, but the tension in his shoulders says enough.

It’s been years since his high school sweetheart-turned-wife cheated on him, but it’s clear the wound never fully healed.

Divorce isn’t the kind of thing you just shake off, especially not for someone like Brooks, who keeps his emotions so close to the chest.

We all know better than to push him about it.

I glance at Tyler, who gives me a subtle nod. Neither of us will press the issue. Brooks is more than our teammate, he’s like family.

The locker room goes quiet as Coach Walker enters. He’s a tall guy, broad-shouldered, with a face carved from years of frowning at recalcitrant players and a voice that carries authority without effort.

“All right, boys,” he says, clapping his hands once. “Listen up. Got someone new to introduce today.”

He steps aside, gesturing for Ally to come forward. She hesitates for a fraction of a second before stepping into the spotlight.

Even though she’s clearly trying to project confidence, I catch the way her hands clasp the strap of her bag just a little too tightly.

“This is Dr. Ally Perry,” Walker continues. “She’s your new team doctor. She’ll be taking over from Dr. Martins once her fellowship is finished. Treat her with the same respect you’d treat me or anyone else on this staff. Got it?”

A chorus of “Yes, Coach” fills the room, but I can already hear the whispers starting as soon as he finishes.

“Damn, she’s smoking,” someone mutters from the back of the room.

“Wonder if she’s single,” another voice chimes in, barely audible but loud enough to make me smirk.

I glance at Tyler, who raises an eyebrow and shakes his head slightly.

Ally starts making her way around the room with Coach Walker and Dennis leading the introductions.

She shakes hands with each of the players, pausing to exchange a few words with each person. I watch as she moves from one guy to the next.

My heart thuds in my chest as she gets closer.

It’s ridiculous, really.

She’s just the new doctor, and I’ve probably met a thousand people in my time here between fans and support staff.

But there’s something about her that’s throwing me off balance.

As she reaches the guy next to me, I glance at Tyler, who’s lounging against the bench like this is no big deal.

He raises an eyebrow at me, clearly amused.

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