Page 61 of Hat Trick

No, I’m in hell. I’m picturing you naked, and I want to die. Do you have any other secret tattoos besides the one on your hip I want to see? What about piercings? Would you like it if I tied your wrists together, or would that freak you out?

“Great,” I say instead. I focus my attention on the guys in front of me. On Grant falling off his machine and Maverick shaking out his sweaty hair. “I’m great.”

“I’ve been working on a strength-building program for you. It’s similar to what I give guys to work on to prevent injuries, and we’re going to start that next week.”

“Does it involve any other torture methods?”

“Nope. Just a mat and the ground.”

“I can get behind that.”

“One minute break,” Lexi calls out, turning her microphone on. “Then we only have two more exercises.”

“Are you going to Maverick’s after this?” I ask when she clicks her microphone back off.

“Maybe. I don’t want to intrude on a guys’ afternoon out. It’s important for you all to bond, and I’d be in the way.”

“I’ve seen more of Hudson’s ass over the last five years than I’ve seen women naked. I’ve probably seen it more than my own ass, if we’re being honest. I think we’re all set on bonding.”

“You don’t look at your ass in the mirror?” she asks.

“No. Do you?”

“Regularly. I have a spectacular ass.” Lexi fixes her microphone over her ear. “I want you to try the last two sets of exercises. They’re core exercises, and they’re going to help with your altered center of gravity and the balance challenges you’ve been experiencing.”

I’m still caught on her spectacular ass comment, but I nod. “Want to make a deal? You say you’ll come to Mav’s, and I’ll try the exercises.”

“Riley Mitchell.” She pops a hip out. I’m a fucking champion for not looking at her curves. “I didn’t know you were the bartering type.”

“What do I have to lose?”

“Fine.” She grins and flips her hair over her shoulder. “You’ve got yourself a deal, but don’t expect me to go easy on you.”

“I’d never expect that.” I lift the hem of my shirt to wipe my cheek, smirking when her eyes dip to my stomach. I’m going to pretend she likes what she sees. “Stop staring at me, Armstrong.”

“Just for that, I’m adding in a third exercise.” She flips me off and walks to the front of the room. “You all can blame Riley for these next moves,” she tells the guys and Piper. Everyone groans except me, and I don’t care.

I’m having way too much fucking fun.

NINETEEN

LEXI

There’snothing I love more than kicking men’s asses and watching them cry.

Especially when they think they’re the superior species.

None of the DC Stars guys have the toxic masculinity that sometimes finds its way to my classes when a group of dudes who have never tried Pilates think they can outlast the women who I’ve been working with for years, but it’s still fun to make professional athletes hurt for an hour during a good workout.

An invitation to Maverick and Emmy’s place for pizza means they’re not too mad at me, and I kick off my shoes in their foyer next to a ridiculous pair of bright yellow sneakers that have to belong to Ethan.

“I’m getting pepperoni and cheese,” Maverick announces over the sound of video games being played on the big-screen television in the living room. “Anyone want something different?”

“Sounds good, Cap,” Grant yells.

“Put some food in me, Mavvy,” Connor adds.

“I wish the rest of the girls were here,” Piper says after pulling me into the kitchen away from all the boys and handing me a bottle of water from the fridge. “It’s always more fun when we’re together.”

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