Page 155 of Hat Trick

“Yeah, but I’d prefer it if we didn’t crash my hundred-thousand-dollar vehicle.” I bend my hips back to adjust my residual limb in my socket then straighten my leg. “I’m not in the mood for paperwork.”

“I’m never in the mood for paperwork.” Grant heads for the door and flings it open. “Come on, boys. Let’s pretend like we’re Princess Mia driving the Mustang.”

“That’s a good fucking movie,” Maverick says.

“A great fucking movie,” Hudson adds, and I follow them down the hall.

Twenty minutes later, we’re parked in front of the DC Titans’ football stadium. My hands are on my hips, and I stare at my SUV.

“How do you want to do this?” Hudson asks, a hand on my shoulder.

“We could crank the driver’s seat back and have you sit in one of our laps?” Grant suggests, and I burst out laughing.

“That would be a fucking sight,” I say.

“Damn. I was really hoping I’d get to have Mitchy in my lap. That’s a dream of mine.” Maverick taps his cheek. “How about one person in the passenger seat. Someone right behind you who can grab the wheel if you panic and another in the middle who could reach forward and tap the brakes if needed?”

“Whose arms are the longest?” Hudson asks, and Liam scoffs.

“My wingspan is the biggest on the team,” our goalie challenges. “Have you seen me stop a puck?”

“You know what they say about goalies and wingspans.” Grant winks. “He’s also the most flexible one. Maybe he should be in the middle.”

“Liam in the middle. Hudson up front because he’s the most rational, and he’ll definitely be the calmest. I’ll go in the seat behind Riley and be on deck to take over the wheel. G-Money… you’ll be the spectator in the back right seat,” Maverick says.

“Not fair! Everyone else has a job.” Grant pouts. “I’m good at things.”

“You can be in charge of… navigation,” I say, pulling something out of my ass. I don’t want him to feel left out. “Tell me if I need to go left or right. You’re great at reading the ice. You can help me avoid the concrete lampposts.”

“This is an honor, Riley.” He puts a hand on his chest and dips his head. “I will not let you down.”

“Everyone get in the goddamn car,” Liam says, climbing into the middle seat in the back. “If someone starts quotingSpidermanabout power and responsibility, I’m out of here.”

“Another great movie,” Maverick whispers, and Grant nods sagely.

We get in our places, and I hold the steering wheel with a white-knuckle grip. I run my palms along the curve of the leather and take a deep breath. Glancing down, I stare at the pedals and frown.

“I’m trying to figure out how to position my legs,” I say. “I think I’ll keep my right foot where it would be if I had cruise control on, then stretch my left leg diagonally to reach the pedals.”

“Probably easier than trying to tuck your right leg behind your left, yeah?” Hudson asks, and I nod.

“And uncomfortable. Safer too, I bet. I don’t need another fucking surgery.” I turn the key in the ignition and exhale. “Okay. Here we go.”

“Give me some window privileges, Mitchy, so you can focus on your feet,” Grant says, and when I roll down the back windows, he sticks his head out into the sunshine. “Forward, matey!”

Shifting the car into drive, I slowly ease my left foot onto the accelerator. The car jolts to life, and we roll across the empty parking spaces. I’m pretty sure I’m sweating. Everyone in the car is silent, and I try adding more pressure to the gas pedal.

“It’s the same configuration,” I tell myself. “Just a different angle.”

“Try braking,” Maverick says, and I nod.

I’m a little too firm when I move my foot to the left and tap on the brakes, because Liam goes flying forward and almost rolls over the center console. Grant screams and clutches the door to prevent himself from falling out the window. Maverick topples sideways, his head under Liam’s ass, and Hudson cackles in the seat beside me.

“Sorry, sorry!” I apologize, being gentler the second time I try the brakes. The SUV slows to a stop, and I glance at my teammates. “Got a little excited there. Is everyone okay?”

Liam rubs his forehead. “I’m fucking concussed.”

“I saw my life flash before my eyes,” Grant says.

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