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

by Chelsea Curto

I turn and face him, not surprised to find a blond-haired guy looking at me. The worst ones are always blond. I am surprised by the polo he’s wearing. It’s striped, the collar is popped, and I thought we left that horrendous style behind in the early 2000s. There’s a silver chain attached to his belt loop, for god’s sake, and I’m half expecting to hear the dialup tone from AOL replace the EDM song playing from the club’s speakers. What’s next? Is someone going to ask for my screen name rather than my phone number?

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

“And blonds aren’t my type.” “I bet I could be your type,” he says in some last-ditch effort to keep me hanging around. “And I bet you couldn’t find my clit even if I pointed it out to you,” I say sweetly, and the bartender snorts. “It’s never going to happen, buddy.”

“We’re the best of the best!” “I know you are G-Money.” He drinks straight from the bottle and I laugh, jealous of how easily his early-twenties body is going to recover from the alcohol consumption. My ass is going to be in bed until noon tomorrow. “No driving tonight, okay?” “More like no sleeping. We’re raging till the break of dawn, baby!”

“They’re the greatest team of all time.” Emmy sighs when Maverick grabs the DJ’s microphone and yells world champions! and fuck LA and their overpriced grocery stores! “You can’t help but love them.”

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.”

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 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.”

There are so many white men in this room that I’m worried the New Balance, high-waisted khaki shorts, and white socks stocks might drop while they’re all here.

“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.

“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.”

“I’m leaving. Congrats on the loss,” I say. “Glad to know you all suck without me.” “Wow. Way to kick us when we’re down, Ri.” Ethan clutches his chest. “Thanks for letting me see your leg!” “Yeah, yeah.” My fingers fold around the door handle, and I fight back a grin. “It’s good to see you assholes again.”

Piper lifts her glass, and we all follow suit. “To incredible women. To friendships. To a special love no man will ever give us.”

“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.”

It’s a good thing I didn’t die the night of the accident. If I did, I wouldn’t have gotten the chance to see the real heaven that is Lexi in her gold dress.

“Maybe she’s asking Grant to put on a mask and chase her through the woods,” I offer, and Maverick gasps. “You know he likes dark romances, and that’s a pretty common scene.” “She wouldn’t. He wasn’t included on her orgy list!”

“C’mon Mitchy,” he says, and my heart almost cracks in two when he holds out his hand. Riley eyes his offered palm for a beat before his fingers curl around the goalie’s. Moving carefully on his blades for the first time since last June, he steps onto the ice, legs shaking under his weight. “I’ve got left,” Maverick says, looping an arm around his waist. “Right,” Hudson adds, his arm resting on top of Maverick’s. “I’ve always been a fan of behind,” Liam grumbles, and Riley’s laugh is rough as the trio arranges themselves. “Do I get to be in front?” Grant asks, practically jumping up and down. He takes both of Riley’s hands in his, holding his arms out straight. “This is the best day of my life.”

He yelled at me for having my phone out and took it away until we were back at the hotel.” Ethan grins and fixes his shoulder pads. “Joke is on him. I have a burner one I use to troll people who shit on us in social media comments.”

Hush, Cap. We have a celebrity in our midst. Mitchy’s been everywhere on Instagram and TikTok!! Me I have? G-Money Mhm. The girls loveeeeee you. Especially your slutty little glasses. Me They aren’t slutty. I need them to see.