Page 103 of Hat Trick
“I’m pretty sure everyone is here. Oh. Lexi hasn’t shown up, but I heard Piper tell Emmy she was running late.”
“Cool. I guess we can get started.”
“Can I ring the bell?” He practically jumps up and down and reaches for the bell we started using last year to get everyone’s attention when the food is ready. It’s an ugly brass thing, and I groan when he lifts it off the table and shakes it multiple times. “Okay. I don’t want a noise complaint from my neighbor.”
“Please. Like anyone could ever hate you.”
“I’m sure plenty of people hate me.”
“Nah. You’re a good dude. Now, Ethan? He’s bound to have some enemies.” Grant dives for a plate and starts loading up on green beans and mashed potatoes. “The two times we’ve played against New York this season, he’s had his highest penalty minutes. Won’t fucking stop chirping their center on face offs.”
“Does he even know their center? Or is he being an idiot and starting shit to start shit?”
“Guess they were rivals at BC and BU. I think there’s bad blood there.”
I hum and step out of the way so everyone can load up their plates. Piper gives me a hug and tells me everything looks great. Madeline adds a tray of brownies to the long line of food, and Hudson doesn’t bother waiting for her to finish unwrapping the dish before grabbing one and shoving it in his mouth. There’s pushing and shoving, and Emmy waits patiently next to me while Maverick gets her plate ready.
“Wow. Look at that service.” I lift my chin to Maverick balancing the food on his forearms. “You’ve got a winner there, Hartwell.”
“I do, don’t I?” She smiles and nudges my shoulder with hers. “You doing okay?”
“Fine, yeah.”
“Don’t bullshit me, Mitchell.”
I bark out a laugh. “I forgot how much of a hard-ass you are. Today has sucked. My leg hurt during morning skate because I was standing for too long. Everything’s pissed me off up until you all getting here, and I’m tired as hell.”
“That’s more like it. If you want to escape, I can handle everyone.”
“Nah. I’m good. Being around my people helps.” I scan the room again, disappointed. “Do you know when?—”
“Sorry I’m late.” Right on cue, Lexi bursts into the kitchen with a box tucked under her arm. “I had a meeting at the arena that ran long and I’ve been going nonstop for hours.”
Everyone stops to say hello to her, and it takes a few minutes before she makes her way around the kitchen and stands in front of me.
“Hey,” I say, and the syllable cracks. “You made it.”
“And I brought chocolates.” She hands over the box, and I smile at the assortment of treats secured in neat little rows. “Please accept my apology for my tardiness.”
“Nothing to apologize for.” I take the desserts and set them on the counter out of sight from the heathens causing mayhem in the kitchen. The cleanup is going to take me hours. “You must be hungry. Grab a plate. Do you want a drink?”
“Sure. I’ll take a gin and tonic, if you have it.”
“I can make that happen.” I grab a glass from the cabinet, not mentioning I went out and bought a handle of gin to add to my liquor cabinet in case she asked for some. “I got some limes for you too.”
“My lime guy.” Lexi grins, accepting the drink and taking a sip. “This is my first time at your place besides helping you up to your door and storming into your living room. Do I get a tour of your apartment before dinner? I want to learn all your secrets.”
“Secrets.” I laugh and gesture for her to follow me out of the kitchen packed with bodies and down the hall. “I don’t have a lot of those.”
“Come on. You have to be hiding something. An ex-girlfriend in your closet? A box of pictures of people’s feet?”
“That’s what you really think of me? I’m a murderer with a phalange fetish? I’m honored, Lex.”
“Which toe is your favorite? It’s the pinky, isn’t it?”
“God, please stop.” I gag and point out the bathroom and spare bedroom. “You’re going to make me sick.”
“The big toe. Iknewit.”
