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

by Chelsea Curto

If the man next to me doesn’t get his goddamn hands away from my ass, I’m going to break his fingers.

I wish I had the balls of a mediocre white man who thinks he’s hot shit. I’d be unstoppable.

I’m not supposed to have a favorite player on the team—and I love all the guys I work with—but Riley takes the top spot.

“I’m a good boy, Lex,” he tosses back. “You don’t have to worry about me.”

GOING 2 SAY IM MARRIED. WANT 2 BE HUSBAND? Turning the napkin over, I write out a response. HONORED.

I’m quiet; she’s loud. The life of every party and vivacious as hell with witty comebacks and a laugh that would bring any man to his knees.

And if it were me down there, I’d wear a collar and crawl if she asked me to.

“I’m great. I don’t like to be rescued, but I don’t mind being a damsel in distress if it means getting saved by a guy like you.”

“I’m going to get him skating again,” I whisper to Piper and Emmy. “Lex, I don’t⁠—” “Hockey is his whole life.” I stare at the doors leading to the patient rooms. “I’ll work with him. We’ll do it together.” I’ve always been a determined bitch. Once I put my mind to something, I don’t stop until it happens, and I’ll be damned if Riley goes down without a fight.

I’m not asking you to give me a mile, Riley. I’m not even asking for a foot.” “I hope not. I only have one now, and it would be pretty fucking rude of you to take that from me.”

I know what that look suggests. If you were a man, I’d laugh and say “no worries.” Since you’re a woman, I’m about to

chastise you in front of everyone because no matter how hard you try, it’s not going to be good enough.

“She wasn’t finished speaking,” Riley says, deathly low. The look in his eye is murderous. A shiver races up my spine when he curls his fingers into a fist. My cheeks turn bright red when he stares at my boss and tilts his head to the side. “And her name is Lexi. L-e-x-i. That’s not difficult, is it? Treat her with respect and get it right, or I’m leaving.”

The romance books I read are right: having a guy turn a little unhinged and defend your honor is sexy as hell.

“Funny. I don’t see you walking around with a missing fucking leg. Until you do, I’m the one making decisions about who works with me. The only way I’ll agree to

this is if Lexi is the one in charge. It’s her plan. It’s her job, and she outranks everyone on your team. Do I make myself clear?”

“I’m a woman in a male-dominated space. I’m the only female head athletic trainer in the league, and I’m the first to hold the title. Even if I don’t believe I can do it, I say I can. So, no. I haven’t always been this confident, but I’m getting there.”

“If there’s one thing I love to do, it’s prove everyone who’s ever doubted me wrong. That’s what you’re going to do too.”

“Yup. Tough love, Mitchy. Do you want me to kiss your ass?” I blush and dip my chin. There are a lot of things I’d like Lexi to do to me—with me and for me too—and none of them are appropriate for the workplace.

I shove away every thought I’ve ever had about Lexi and lock them in a box where I won’t be able to find them. Platonic only.

For her, I’m going to try my damn best.

There’s a gleam in her eye. A spark of excitement I’m desperate to hold close to my chest.

Instead, he’s wrapping his arms around me. He’s hugging me so tight, my feet come off the ground.

After my mom passed, I was broken. The guys on the team were the only thing that saved me.

“I’m really fucking glad you’re back, Mitchy.”

Plus, Lexi is smiling at me. She’s looking at me with wide, hopeful eyes, and that damn crush of mine wins out because I like seeing her happy.

I’m not going to tell them seeing her has become the highlight of my day.

“You have my attention.” Riley looks up at me. “Maybe the wrong people have been trying to make you come.”

“Okay. You’re special. Is that better?” “You think I’m special?” “Of course I do,” he says, and it feels like there’s a fist wrapped around my lungs. It’s squeezing tight, making it difficult to breathe. “You’re very special, Lex.”

“Hang on.” He leans across the table and licks his thumb. He drags his finger down my cheek then shakes his head, glee sparking behind his eyes. “There was ketchup buried under it. You have layers to your mess.”

I wish I fucking could, because seeing you so mad at the world hurts, I almost shout.

“To incredible

women. To friendships. To a special love no man will ever give us.”

I beeline it for him, grabbing his shirt and pulling him into a hug before I can think twice. My cheeks are wet with tears, and a laugh shakes my shoulders. “I’m so glad to see you.”

“Take care of yourself, Riley. There’s a reason you pulled through that night. Your purpose is so much bigger than you think it is.”

I’m going to murder Riley Mitchell, and I won’t have any remorse for my crime.

It’s an important part of your life, and it’s worth remembering.”

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

“I read that article too, and I immediately thought of you.” I know it’s part of her job, but the idea of Lexi spending her free time researching ways to help me sends a rush of exhilaration up my spine. It makes me imagine there’s a world in which she’s doing it because she wants to, not because she has to. Because she likes spending time with me, not because she’s required to spend time with me.

She told me it takes a lot to impress her, and I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure I have her attention.

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?

There’s nothing I love more than kicking men’s asses and watching them cry.

That word makes me want to blush because when was the last time someone had a crush on me?

And when did it start to make me feel giddy?

Accepting help is hard for me.”

“And watching you freeze to death is hard for me.

For a second, it feels like the world tilts on its axis, because what the fuck do you mean he brought me a lime because he remembered an offhanded comment I made months ago? And—god. Come to think of it, it was the night we were all out celebrating The Cup.

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

None of them could compare to Riley.