Slap Shot (D.C. Stars, #3)

by Chelsea Curto

The

best part of my job is being in charge of entitled men who think they’re better than me because they have a dick.

“Are you serious?” “Maybe. There’s so much going on up here.” He taps his head. “It’s fucking hard.

I’m not sure I’ve gotten through it, and I’m not sure I ever will. I don’t think that’s something you move on from. It happened so fast. Now and then, I think it’s all a dream. Some trick the universe is playing on me,

week of job searching has left me empty-handed and on the brink of joining OnlyFans.

“Did you set me up on a blind date? My shirt has a hole in it, Piper. That’s not how I make a good first impression. And I didn’t bring wine. Flowers. Anything.” “It’s not a blind date. Give her a second.” “Sorry.” A soft voice floats through the room, and it’s one I don’t recognize. “I had to grab extra napkins. I made a mess.”

When she looks up from the stack of napkins she’s holding, she stops in her tracks. Her eyes meet mine, and I swallow. “Hi,” I say. “Hello,” she answers, and I take a good look at her. I swear I haven’t seen her before. I’d remember her if I did.

“For you, Mom,” I say to the empty room. “Always for you.” One of the overhead lights flickers, and I laugh. “Yeah. I know you’re here. You wouldn’t miss this. Sometimes I can still hear you yelling at me to get

the rebound.” I pause, my shoulders heavy and my eyes wet with tears. “Fuck. I miss you, Mama.”

“Good?” he asks. “Yeah. You know you don’t have to wait for me.” “You’ve been saying that for years, man. When have I ever listened?” “Never.” I tap my helmet against his. My chest hurts, but some of the pain dissipates when I hear the roar of the crowd. When I see the full arena and my teammates waiting for me. “And I love you for it.”

“Love you too, Huddy Boy.” Maverick grins and throws an arm around my shoulder. “Let’s go kick some ass.”

“What was with the penalty you got earlier? I saw you chirping that dude.” “He liked one of Emmy’s photos on Instagram last week, and it pissed me off. The hit was worth the two-minute timeout I got in the sin bin.” “You’re joking.” “Nope.” “You might be the most deranged man I’ve ever met.” “Nah. Just an idiot in love.” He stands and watches the next line take the ice.

“Because y’all are mine.” I tuck a loose piece of hair behind her ear. “And I protect what’s mine.”