Hat Trick

by Kristen Hope Mazzola

  “He was trying to rape me! My brother and Gavin rescued me.”

  The second officer started to help the guy to his feet while looking over at Gavin and me as both of us seethed. “Is that true?”

  I threw my hands into the air. “Don’t you think I would much rather be in the showers or headed to the bar to celebrate with my team?”

  The cop holding Myla squinted at us. “Holy fuck! No way! You’re Cox and Hayes. Man, we listened to the game on the radio tonight. You two killed it! Nice job on that hat trick.”

  Thank God for fans in uniform.

  Gavin smiled at them. “My buddy Sean Whistler can vouch for me, man. We were just protecting the lady.”

  The officer let go of Myla. “Would you like to make a statement?”

  She shook her head. “No, I think Adam got what was coming to him.”

  Adam. What a punk-ass name.

  “I would like to press charges,” Adam said, coughing a little as he leaned on the hood of the cop car.

  Both of the officers started laughing. “Yeah, we don’t think so, tiger.”

  He got all pissy. “You’ll all be hearing from my lawyer.”

  I grabbed Myla, pulling her into my arms as she started to sob again.

  “You scum-sucking jerkoff, fucking bring it.” I spit on the ground at his feet. “I ain’t scared of you or your lawyers, and if you come near my sister again, a few broken ribs will be the least of your worries.”

  “Aren’t you going to do anything?” Adam threw his hands up, waving at the cops. “He just threatened me.”

  The older of the two cops slapped him on the shoulder. “I heard a man protecting a woman after she was attacked. I would suggest you get in your car and leave now before this young lady changes her mind and you get booked for attempted rape.”

  “This is fucking unbelievable. Fucking cunt,” Adam hissed as he walked past us.

  “What did you just call her?” Gavin wound up and knocked him square in the jaw.

  The officers both looked at each other, shrugging.

  “I think I told you to leave, sir.”

  Adam got in his car, revving the engine loudly before speeding away.

  “Perfect.” One of officers smiled. “Now we can rope him for reckless driving. You all get home safe tonight.”

  They jumped into their car and sped away, siren blaring, chasing Adam down.

  “Well, he had that one coming to him. What an idiot.” Gavin picked up our sticks and handed me mine.

  “Thanks, man.” I slapped him on the shoulder.

  “Hey, we take care of our own, right?”

  Myla rushed over to Gavin, kissing him on the cheek. “This really means a lot to me.”

  Gavin gave her a quick hug. “I could use a drink. What about you?”

  “She’s only twenty, man. I should probably take her home anyway.”

  Myla looked from Gavin to me. “No, we have a win to celebrate. Fuck Adam. I am not going to let him ruin this for us.”

  “Well, all right then. We’re about to take you where many puck bunnies have been before.” Gavin gave her a little wink as he started to lead the way back up to the locker room.

  “What?” Myla shot me a confused look.

  I chuckled at her while wiping the smudged makeup out from under her eye. Even after crying her eyes out, she looked gorgeous. I was starting to realize that my sister was not a little girl anymore and it was killing me. “Well, we can’t have you going out all dolled up with us having swamp ass, now can we? We haven’t even showered yet.”

  Chapter 14

  Gavin

  We were breaking the rules, but if Myla wanted to stay with Brayden and me, she sure as shit was not going to leave our sides for the rest of the night. Hearing that douchenozzle slap her had been more aggravating than any other moment in my entire life.

  I peeked into the locker room. “Anyone in here?” I called in.

  Without thinking, I grabbed Myla’s hand to lead her into the locker room. “Everyone must have just left.”

  I took my cell out of my gym bag and saw dozens of missed calls and texts from the players. Scrolling through, I saw that they had made their way to a bar just down the street from the arena.

  Brayden showed Myla around. “A lot has changed since Dad was a player.” She gazed around, turning up her nose a bit. “Smells about the same though. Boy does hockey gear fucking reek to high heaven.”

  “We play hard. It’s the smell of men and victory.” I flashed her a quick smile, clutching my change of clothes and a towel.

  Brayden was right behind me, giving his sister a reassuring tap on the shoulder. “We’ll be quick. You can use the mirror over there to fix your makeup if you want.”

  She rolled her eyes. “That means I need to fix my face, doesn’t it?”

  I laughed as Brayden ate his words, turning on the water to as hot as it could go. Usually after an intense game, I iced down my sore muscles and then relaxed with a nice hot shower, but I could already feel my aches and bruises attacking my body; I was going to pay for it later for sure.

  We all made quick work of getting in and out. We were going to get the third degree at the bar, but I didn’t give a shit.

  Walking into the packed joint, everyone started to cheer.

  “Finally!” Crosby handed Brayden and me longnecks. “We were starting to think you two ditched us.”

  Brayden clinked his bottle with Crosby’s. “Nah man. Just had to take care of something really quick.”

  “We’re here now and that’s what matters.” I chugged half the bottle on the spot.

  Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Myla take a seat in a corner booth by herself. Bringing her a water, I took a seat next to her.

  “You don’t have to worry about me. Go party with your guys.”

  I waved my hand at the rowdy crowd. “They’re all about three sheets to the wind by now. Us just being here is enough. How’re you holding up?”

  She started to pull apart a tiny bar napkin. “I think I am in shock. It all feels like a movie I watched, not something I lived.”

  The red mark on her cheek was starting to fade a little. “Does it hurt? Should I get you some ice?”

  She cocked her head to one side. “Hayes, aren’t you supposed to be some asshat that treats women like pieces of meat?”

  I feigned a smile. “Rumors get started with a kernel of truth, I guess.” Taking a sip from my Bud Light to fill a little of the awkward silence, I tried to think of something clever to follow up with. “I mean, I was engaged. It’s not like I am a total dick to all women.”

  Myla shrugged. “You seem pretty all right in my book, Hayes.”

  “Did you enjoy the gong show at least?”

  It was the first time all night she actually smiled. “It was an incredible game. I’m really glad I got to see it.”

  “As am I.” I worked my jaw, trying to keep the conversation flowing. “So, where do you live exactly?”

  She swallowed the ice cube she had been rolling around in her mouth. “East Flushing, close to Kissena Park.”

  “Oh well la di da,” I teased.

  “Shut up.” She playfully shoved my arm. “You probably live in some fancy rent-controlled apartment in one of the buildings your family owns.”

  “Actually, I am moving into my own place, out from under my dad’s thumb, this weekend. You should come by and check it out.” A few girls walked in through the door, half of whom I had banged at one time or another over the last few years. “Shit,” I muttered as two of them started to waggle their way over to me.

  “Hey, Hayes, you were awesome tonight.” Rita was one of the sluttiest puck bunnies I had ever seen; she followed our players around like a junkie in search of her next fix.

  I put my arm around Myla’s shoulders. “Please, just go with this,” I whispered to her before diverting my glare to Rita and Jinny. “Thanks. Have you met Myla?” I pulled Myla into my side a little and she followed my lead
perfectly.

  “Sweetie, who are your friends?” She leaned her elbow on the table, giving them the evil eye.

  “Didn’t think you were wifed up, Hayes,” Jinny hissed before sucking on her front teeth. She was fucking gross—I couldn’t believe my dick ever got up for that slut.

  I leaned in, grabbing Myla by the back of the head and kissed her hard. That should do the trick.

  Myla

  Is Gavin Hayes really kissing me right now?

  I grabbed his rock hard bicep and gave the best show I could. It wasn’t rocket science to figure out he was trying to get the two women off of his dick for the night.

  In a huff the two wandered up to the bar, fawning over a few of the other players.

  “Thanks,” Gavin said breathily, pulling his lips away from mine.

  I batted my eyelashes dramatically. “Oh, sweetheart, you know you can kiss me whenever you want to.” I elbowed him in the ribs and he winced. “You okay?”

  He nodded. “Yeah, just got checked pretty good tonight.”

  I bit my lip; I knew the moment he was talking about, and it had been a thrilling part of the game for me. “I was ready to rip Belsky’s throat out at that point. Messing with my boys like that—what fucking nerve!”

  “Your boys, huh?” He downed the rest of his beer.

  “Well, I have been pretty invested in the Otters for as long as I can remember, so yes, you guys are mine. I have claimed you.”

  He got up from the booth, reaching out his hand to me. “Come on, let’s celebrate this awesome win.”

  I took Gavin’s hand, glancing over to see my brother’s face fill with rage. “Give me a second.” Gavin nodded and went to hang out with a cluster of players at the far end of the bar.

  “How’s it going, bro?”

  He sucked in through his front teeth. “He’s charming, but he’ll end up showing his true colors eventually, My.”

  Brayden was already a few beers deep; I could tell it was getting to the point where I needed to get him home. “He’s just being friendly.”

  Brayden slammed his empty beer bottle down onto the bar top. “Scotch neat,” he yelled before turning back to me. “I saw him kiss you. I wasn’t born fucking yesterday.”

  “Bray, he was trying to get those chicks to leave him alone, and I was just helping. It’s not like I am in the bathroom blowing him right now.”

  Brayden looked like he was about to blow chunks at the thought. “Fuck, Myla. Where the hell did you learn to talk like that?”

  I flipped my hair, giving my brother a coy smile. “I read a lot. I’m not as naïve as you think I am.”

  He grabbed my hand. “I just don’t want to see you get hurt, and he’s my captain for Christ’s sake. I don’t want to have to hate him for any other reason than him being a pompous twat from time to time.”

  I signaled to the bartender right before she was about to pour Brayden’s drink. “Hold off on that one. We’re going to head home.”

  Brayden sighed, pulling out his wallet. “Won’t even let me have a good time with my friends, making out with my damn captain—now I know why I don’t bring you around.” He gave me a quick wink, leaning in to whisper, “Kidding, sis. You’re right, it’s definitely time for me to ice down my knee and call it a night.”

  Gavin came up behind us. “Leaving so soon?” He hooked his arm around my brother’s neck. “You’re taking my beard away.”

  Brayden laughed. “She’s making me. It’s all her fault.”

  Gavin snuck a napkin into my hand. “Get home safely, you two. Cox, I’ll see you in the barn tomorrow.”

  Chapter 15

  Myla

  “Wait. Hold on! Let me get this straight.” Simon sipped on his Cosmo with his pinky high in the air. “Adam tried to assault you, Gavin and your brother beat him up, you kissed Gavin Hayes and then he gave you his number on a bar napkin, but you haven’t even put it into your phone yet?”

  I stared down at the napkin with Gavin’s scribbled number on it. “That’s the basic gist of the evening’s events. Crazy right?”

  “I just cannot believe you waited three whole days to tell me this and you haven’t even contacted that hunky hockey player yet. He’s obviously into you! And I am just so shocked at how Adam behaved. I never pegged him for a rapist.”

  I took a bite of my tuna sashimi before responding. “I think the Unabomber’s friends said the same thing about that crackpot.”

  Simon chuckled. “You’re probably right. I just feel so awful because I set you two up.”

  “There was no way for you to know. He was very charming, to say the least—well, in the beginning that is.”

  Simon grabbed my phone and the napkin from my hand. “We’re texting Gavin. They’re traveling home today, right?”

  “They should be home by now. They had another win last night, and they play the Sharks here tomorrow.” I wanted to fight Simon for my phone, but a small part of me was excited that he was going to text Gavin. I was just so freaking nervous that he had been drunk at the bar and didn’t really want me to have his number.

  “Perfect excuse to send him a little congratulations text then.”

  Simon typed away on my phone, reading the text out loud to me. “Hey Gavin, sorry for my delay, it’s been a crazy couple of days. Great win last night.”

  I shrugged. “Whatever you think is best.”

  He beamed, singing, “Simon says! And sent.”

  Handing me back my phone, he flagged down the server to bring us another boat of sashimi and him another Cosmo.

  “Who is going to eat all of that?” I glared down at our still half-full first boat.

  With a sly grin on his face, he narrowed his eyes. “Trust me, we’ll be needing it.”

  My phone buzzed across the table as a couple texts came through.

  Gavin: Hey, you! I’ve been thinking of you.

  Gavin: I just walked in the door to my new place with nothing but a bed in it, trying to figure out what to have for dinner.

  Gavin: What are you up to?

  I shrieked a little as my face and ears got warm. “He texted back.”

  Simon leaned back in his chair, a triumphant look plastered on his face. “Invite him to eat some of our sushi.”

  “Simon, you’re one sneaky little queen, aren’t you?” I started typing away in response to Gavin.

  Me: Just ordered way more sushi than I know what to do with. Join us?

  Gavin: Us? And where?

  Me: My boss, Simon Abrams, and I will drop a pin and send it to you.

  Gavin: Simon? No shit. He’s hilarious. I’ll swing by for sure.

  Gavin

  I changed my shirt three times.

  Why the fuck am I this nervous?

  I hopped in a cab and was at a hole-in-the-wall Japanese place within thirty minutes of Myla texting me.

  Walking in, I saw Simon waving at me from a booth in the back of the tiny restaurant.

  “Hey, guys.” I slid in next to Myla. “Thanks for the invite. I don’t even have plates at my new place yet. You saved me from eating pizza on the floor.”

  “Glad you could make it.” Myla could barely even look at me.

  Guess we’re both nervous—that’s a good sign.

  “How was the game last night?” Simon asked before downing the last of his fruity cocktail.

  “We’re playing better than we have in years. Looks like all those sessions with you teaching us skating techniques are paying off for sure.” The server came over and I ordered green tea.

  Myla gave me a sideways look, raising an eyebrow at me. “Who are you?” she teased.

  “What? I don’t drink every day during the season. I need to stay on my A game and hangovers definitely put a damper on that.”

  Simon reached into his pocket, checking his phone. “Well, look at the time. I have to be up so early for a private session.” He pulled some money out of his wallet. “I need to head out. Kisses.”

  He blew kisses at
Myla, who was pointing at him with a narrowed glare. “I know what you’re doing, sir. You sly motherfucker.”

  Simon gasped. “Me? No! You know how easily I lose track of time.”

  He was gone in a flash. “Did we just get set up?” I threw a piece of eel into my mouth.

  Myla pursed her lips. “I cannot believe him sometimes. I’m sorry.”

  I put my hand on her shoulder. “Honestly, I came here for you. I’ve been thinking about you a lot over the last few days. How’re you holding up?”

  She looked down at her plate, mixing more wasabi into her soy sauce with a chopstick. “I’ve been okay. Seven has been helping keep me busy.”

  “Seven?”

  She pulled out her phone, giddy to show me pictures. “She’s a husky puppy. Brayden got her for me not too long ago so I wouldn’t be lonely when you guys were traveling.”

  I flipped through the dozens of pictures Myla had. “She’s adorable.”

  We spent the next few hours engrossed in conversation, ranging from hockey to our childhoods to Myla’s father, all the way back to lighthearted comedies and standup we both enjoyed.

  I snorted as Myla laughed uncontrollably. “Cable Guy is by far my favorite Jim Carrey movie of all time.”

  “The password is nipple,” I whispered in her ear, trying to keep a straight face.

  She whipped her head around, not missing a beat. “I can’t say that to my mother!” Myla pulled off the flabbergasted tone and facial expression flawlessly.

  “It’s just skin, Steven,” I replied, then we were both in stitches.

  Myla’s phone started ringing. “It’s Brayden, I better take this.”

  She answered quickly.

  “Hey, Bray…Yeah, I fed her…She’s fine in her crate until I get home…I’m still eating with Simon. I’ll be home soon…Love you, too.”

  I couldn’t quite put my finger on why it bothered me so much that Myla lied to Brayden about being with me. It was completely understandable—I wouldn’t want my little sister on a kind-of date with a douchebag like me.

  She grabbed my hand, sending electricity through my body. “Sorry, I just know Bray would kill me for being here with you.”