Hat Trick (D.C. Stars, #4)

by Chelsea Curto

(And for the readers who love a hockey player that wears slutty glasses… Riley is for you)

need a hot nerd

He laughs loudly, and it makes me warmer than the late summer heat outside the windows.

I’m a persistent motherfucker. Don’t test me.

“You’re a goddamn flirt, Armstrong,” he calls out over his shoulder as he makes his way down the hall. “You like it,” I call back, and I swear I hear him say yeah, I do before he disappears, and a strange sensation flutters in my chest.

AAAAA

Fucking hell. I’m never going to get over this crush.

i love men who have crushes

“Is it okay if I touch you?” Screaming out fuck, yes, anywhere you want is probably too aggressive, so I nod.

i also love down bad men

“That guy you were talking to downstairs was a waste of your fucking time,” he rasps. “I hate him.”

I ALSO LOVE JEALOUS MEN

“You were jealous,” I whisper. “Of course I was fucking jealous. He had your attention. And I’m fucking desperate for it.”

AAAAAOOOOGAAA

What are you going to do about it?” “What do you want me to do about it?” Riley challenges, and my mouth parts.

OH THEYRE SO HOT YOUR HONOR

just know it. A fucking goner, but that’s a problem for later.

“You might be strong and independent, but at the end of the day, you want to know you’re taking me so fucking well.”

RILEY AND LUKAS FROM DEEP END SIT AT THE SAME TABLE IN MY BRAIN

See you soon, Lexi baby.

gagged.

“It was good, wasn’t it? Our night together,”

I knew I was attracted to her, but after tonight? I’m fucking ruined. A stronger man would try to put some distance between themselves and her. They’d do everything they could to get her out of their head because they know nothing will ever happen between them—she said so herself—but I’m the weakest, most pathetic motherfucker in existence. I’m not going anywhere.

need him

Funny how all my good days include her.

“You can have me however you want,” I whisper back to her. Take my whole fucking heart while you’re at it.

“Mhm. Just leave a fucking toothbrush at my place next time, Lex.” “We’ll see,”

DOMESTIC LEXRILEY

“Did you miss me?” Riley dips his chin and kisses my neck, his laughter warm when I squirm under his touch. “You did, didn’t you? Tell me how much, Lexi baby.”

“Must mean you like me.” I grab her chin and her eyes lock with mine. Her breath hitches when I say, “You have no idea, Lexi.”

“It’s my jersey or no jersey, Lexi.”

JEALOUS RILEY AT IT AGAIN

Is this what love feels like? Like the first bit of sunshine peeking through the clouds after a rainstorm? Like a warm blanket on a cold day? Like a million stars lighting up a night sky? Like I might not be able to breathe if he isn’t around, and like I’m taking my first deep breath in years when he’s close?

“God. You take everything I give you, don’t you?”

'god' is right.

“You make me want to be reckless.”

“Because I love you,” I tell her, and she freezes. Her shoulders shake, but I keep going. “I love you so much it fucking hurts, and I know that scares the shit out of you. It scares me too, because how can things be this fucking good with you when the rest of my life is in shambles?”

AAAAAAAA

“You want to know why I’ve had all those good days? Because you were there. Because I’ve been an idiotic, pathetic mess of a man since the first day I saw you. I can’t think straight when you’re around. I can’t walk right when you smile at me. I can’t… I can’t fucking breathe unless you’re looking at me. And everything in your past might have fallen apart, but we won’t. We can’t, because deep down, I know you love me too,”

“If you want to run, I’ll chase you. If you want to build a wall to keep me out, I’ll climb it. If you need time, I’ll give it to you. I’m patient, Lexi. I’m going to be waiting for you when you come back. However long that takes.”

“You can be scared with me. I promise I’ll take care of you.”