Page 1 of Her Hat Trick Daddies
Prologue
Leighton
Who knew throwing on a spangly mask could make such a difference? I feel free, almost like I’ve shed the weight of everything that’s been holding me back the last few years. Between my brutal course load, chasing tips late at night behind a bar, and juggling the stress of college life, I’ve hardly had time to breathe. But tonight… tonight’s a different story.
Two weeks ago, I graduated with my communications degree from The College of New Jersey. And before I even had a chance to let it sink in, I received a job offer as a sports analyst for our local news station. And the best part? I’m free from the overprotective clutches of my dad and big brother. I love them, I do, but can a girl breathe? The constant lectures on what I should do, how I should live my life. Well, I’ve finally proven I can take care of myself. As if getting myself through college doesn’t speak volumes already.
Now, here I am in Denver, celebrating the Colorado Avalanche’s Stanley Cup win with my best friend Ava Sterlingand her boyfriends. Yeah, three of them. All pro hockey players. And if that wasn’t a big enough deal, it’s also the head coach’s fiftieth birthday celebration.
I’ve already attended two victory soirees, but tonight’s the one I’ve been looking forward to the most. It’s a masquerade ball, something I’ve never experienced before. I’m dressed in a stunning red gown with a daring high slit, a glittering mask to match, and four-inch platform heels that could easily double as a weapon. As I twirl in front of the mirror, I feel… like someone else. Someone new. Someone who’s worked hard for years to get to this very moment.
The mask hides who I really am, who I’ve been for the last few years—the stressed-out, tired bartender, constantly fighting just to get by. But tonight, that Leighton is taking a backseat. Tonight’s about letting go. Who knows? Maybe I’ll even meet my Prince Charming. Or not, but the thought is enough to make me smile.
A knock at the door pulls me from my thoughts, and I turn to see Ava standing there.
She’s almost thirty-six weeks pregnant, but somehow, she looks gorgeous in her green gown. I’m honestly not even sure how she’s even standing right now. Her belly looks like it’s about to burst, but she’s determined to be here. Because this isn’t just about celebrating a win, it’s about being there for her guys… and me.
Her men—Sven Hinter, Levi Corolla, and Eric Schwartz—did what they always did best on the ice. Levi, the goalie, blocked all but one shot from the opposing team. Eric, a defenseman, racked up a couple of assists, and Sven, the captain and forward, led the charge, finishing his last game before retirement with a hat trick. Ava sure didn’t let her pregnancy stop her that night the Avs clinched the trophy, because we screamed ourselves hoarse at the arena. And now, she’s here, despite all the advice from her doctors and her guys.
I can’t help but worry, though. “Are you sure you’re okay to go out tonight?”
Ava flashes a smile, but it’s strained. “I’m fine. You need me. The guys need me. This was Sven’s last win. For once, it’s not about me and this never-ending pregnancy that I’m pretty sure is longer than an actual hockey season.”
I laugh softly. I know she’s determined to be there for us, even though she’s uncomfortable. Still, I’m proud of her. And proud of myself, too.
As we put on finishing touches to our makeup at her home, where I’m crashing for a few days, I can’t help but think about how much has changed in the last few months. From late-night study sessions in a cramped apartment with four roommates to my very first real job, life is moving fast, and somehow, I’m keeping up. Ava’s life has changed, too. She’s traded in her simple life of being a masseuse for one filled with hockey, three men who love her fiercely, and a baby boy.
We head out to the venue, a massive mansion that looks like it belongs in a fairy tale, and the night continues to unfold in a way that feels almost unreal. It’s a night full of glitz and glamour, but it’s more than that. It’s about friendship, love, celebration, opportunities, and stepping into a new chapter.
Ava might be holding her own, but I know the road ahead will be full of new challenges for all of us. The game may have been won, but the bigger journey is just beginning. And as for me, maybe, just maybe, I’ll find my own place in it.
Chapter 1
Leighton
“I’m so hungry I could eat a horse,” I blurt out as we step inside the mansion. “But with how tight this damn dress is, I’ll be lucky if I can get more than a few bites in before my stomach starts bulging out.”
Ava and the guys laugh. “Don’t worry. I’ll eat enough for the both of us,” she teases, a mischievous grin on her face.
I roll my eyes, my voice dripping with mock sarcasm. “Lucky you,” I drawl as she nudges my shoulder playfully.
Being around Ava lately has introduced me to the finer things in life, but this place still leaves me astounded. Greek marble columns frame the entrance, and the grand double doors glow from behind, their tulip-patterned cut glass catching the light. As we step inside, we’re greeted by a pair of attendants in Venetian masks, offering crystal flutes of champagne on silver trays, their movements synchronized like those of dancers.
A pristine foyer leads to an atrium reminiscent of a museum, complete with a colossal crystal chandelier and sweepingstaircases that curve elegantly to the next level. Live modern music with a classical twist, hums in the background, and a towering bouquet of fresh flowers fills the air with its sweet scent, so massive it would never fit through my apartment door back home.
Tonight, though, I’m not thinking about home. I plan to lose myself in this royal lifestyle.
An usher in a tux and white gloves leads us into the ballroom, where opulence takes on a whole new meaning. The ceilings soar at least sixteen feet, the space large enough to fit the Avalanche’s rink with room to spare. Iridescent ribbons drape from above, shimmering in the light, while floral arrangements burst from tall pedestals like fireworks. The tables are set with fine china, polished silver, and cushioned chairs that belong in a Michelin-starred restaurant. And servers greet us with endless options of appetizers.
High above us, a few aerialists are suspended in silky ribbons, their bodies twisting and dancing in slow, hypnotic movements, scattered artfully throughout the space like living chandeliers. A string quartet plays just off the dance floor, their music drifting through the air like perfume. It’s all so indulgent, so theatrical, it’s like stepping into a fantasy world.
Dinner is a lavish affair, each course more decadent than the last. God, if only I’d worn a damn tummy tuck under this dress, I could’ve indulged like a normal person. Instead, I’m nibblinglike I’ve got a runway call time at dawn. Beauty over pain… and carbs, apparently.
Champagne flows freely, so between that and a few shots of top-shelf tequila, I’m deliciously tipsy by the time we hit the dance floor.
In public, Ava and her men avoid drawing attention, keeping their love quietly tucked behind knowing glances and subtle touches. She mostly stays close to Sven, while Levi and Eric take turns dancing with me. Their relationship remains a well-guarded secret, except for Sven. Since his retirement, the world has learned that he found the love of his life and that they’re expecting a child together, giving him every reason to hold Ava a little closer, a little prouder.
At times, we all dance together as a group, laughing and twirling beneath the dazzling lights. Eventually, Ava, who’s now looking much more at ease, retreats to the table with Sven, leaving me in the capable hands of the defender and the goalie. And I don’t mind one bit.
