Page 5 of Hat Trick

I’m quiet; she’s loud. The life of every party and vivacious as hell with witty comebacks and a laugh that would bring any man to his knees.

And if it were me down there, I’d wear a collar and crawl if she asked me to.

There are a million reasons why I’ve kept that boundary in place, but it makes me feel good as hell that out of all the guys here tonight, she’s askingmefor help.

“Thanks for taking care of my favorite girls, man,” I say to the guy who finally looks my way. “I think you’re done here.”

“Oh. Is this a group-sex thing?” He glances around the table and lifts his arm, trying to give me a high five. “That’s hot. They’re all smoking. You’re lucky.”

“Awhat?” I shake my head and lift an eyebrow. “I don’t have a death wish, but you might because the one who’s not giving you any attention? That’s my wife, and I don’t like when people touch what isn’t theirs. Any other questions?”

“Shit. Sorry.” He slides out of the booth and almost falls on the floor. “She didn’t say.”

“It’s a game we like to play.” Lexi smirks in my direction with bright red lips. She grabs the toothpick from her drink and wraps her mouth around the speared lime. “I do something bad, then he punishes me.”

Christ.

She’s always flirty, but it never means anything.

I wish that line did, even if admitting it would get me in a world of trouble.

The guy apologizes again and practically sprints to the bar and his group of friends. He’s replaced by Maverick a few seconds later, who drops into Emmy’s lap and buries his face in her hair.

“There you are.” He wraps his arms around her waist and sighs. The dude is an absolute machine on the ice, but whenever he’s around his girl, he’s calm. Finally at peace after years of being unsettled. “I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”

“I’m right here. Exactly where you left me.” Emmy kisses his forehead and brushes a piece of hair out of his eyes. “And almost having an orgy with Riley.”

“Yeah?” Maverick turns his chin my way. “Did you tell him about the dream you had? The one with me, him, Hud?—”

“You’re cut off, Miller.” Emmy puts a hand over his mouth. Her red cheeks match her hair. “One more word and you’re on the couch tonight.”

He folds his fingers around her wrist and pulls her hand away. “A fair punishment, but if you’re going to invite anyone in from the team, Mitchy and Huddy Boy are the only two I’d be okay with.”

“I’m flattered, Cap. And now that you all have Mavvy here as your bodyguard, I’m going to head out.” I nudge Lexi’s heel with my sneaker. “You good, Lex?”

“I’m great. I don’t like to be rescued, but I don’t mind being a damsel in distress if it means getting saved by a guy like you.” She looks me up and down, and it’s mortifying how hot my skin is. I’m pathetic. “See you on Wednesday for the parade and rally?”

“Yeah.” I bump my fist against Maverick’s and give them all a wave. “See you then.”

I make my way around the club and say goodbye to the boys after turning down another offer from Hudson to go back to his place. I know he’s eager to celebrate with his girl after scoring the game-winning goal tonight, and I don’t want to be in the way.

I might be bordering on lonely, but I draw the line at hearing my friends have sex with their significant others. I deal with that enough during the season thanks to thin hotel walls, and I’m not in the mood to listen to orgasm after orgasm when I’m not on the receiving—or giving—end of one.

Finally finishing my rounds, I step outside, waiting for my rideshare to pull up. The June air is nice, and I nod at a few of the boys who are leaving the club to keep the party going at some speakeasy up the road. When I spot a white SUV, I check the plate and step off the curb.

“Lamar?” I ask, bending to talk through the window.

“Yup. Climb on in,” the Uber driver tells me, and I hop into the back seat. “Looks like a fun night. Are you celebrating something?”

“Yeah.” I smile and buckle my seat belt. I pull out my phone, starting to scroll through my notifications. My Instagram account is frozen from all the comments and DMs flooding in. The video I uploaded of Maverick on the bar with the trophy already has half a million likes and counting. “Something.”

“Life is short. We need to celebrate the small stuff.” Lamar shifts the car into drive, and we take off down the road. “Otherwise, what’s the point of living?”

“Good sentiment, man.” I click off my phone, not in the mood to answer messages from people I haven’t talked to in a decade. They like to pop up after major victories in my athletic career, and I like to keep my circle small. “What are you doing out so late?”

“Trying to make some extra money. My wife and I just found out we’re having a baby. Her first pregnancy was rough for her, so I told her I’d do some extra driving during the week so she can stay home. I don’t want her on her feet all day.”

“What’s your wife’s name?”

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