Page 187 of Hat Trick
“I see where Maverick is going.” Hudson joins him at the board, and I have to squint to read what he writes. “If she didn’t love you too, she would’ve already told you. She wouldn’t care about your feelings.”
“She’s exactly like Emmy,” Maverick adds. “Rough around the edges. A hard exterior to crack. Using sarcasm as a method to hide what she’s really feeling so it looks like she doesn’t care. And, as someone who finally learned how to get under her skin, I can tell you it takes women like them a lot longer to come around to the idea of giving up their independence. Men in their past have treated them like shit,” he says, his grip on the candlestick tightening. I know he’s thinking about Emmy’s ex and all the horrible things he said to her. “They’re strong and capable on their own, so they don’t seewhythey should rely on a man.”
“Women like Piper love easily,” Liam says, and I stare at him, flabbergasted that he’s actively participating. “And they love everyone. Even the people who don’t deserve their love. They’ll share their feelings with you any chance they can get, and that’s different from how Lexi’s been conditioned to act. She doesn’t think she is lovable, because no one’s loved her before.”
“Which is why it’s so hard for her to admit she lovesyou,” Grant summarizes.
“Are you… is this some fucking PhD class on women’s emotional intelligence?” I ask. “When the fuck did you all get so deep and insightful?”
“My mama raised me right,” Hudson says. “Women are complicated creatures. They’re not as easy to read, but they’re the only reason any of us are on the paths we’re on right now.”
There’s a murmur of agreement, and I stand. I walk to the board and tap the points they made. “Wait. She loves me?”
“Of course she fucking loves you!” Maverick exclaims. “I know you’ve been looking at her for years, but now she’s looking at you.”
“What the fuck do I do? Do I bust down her door? Do I buy her flowers or chocolates or jewelry?” My skin is itchy. My cheeks are hot. I fan my face and have to do a lap around the living room. “Someone help me.”
“No, you idiot. You don’t do any of that. Haven’t you heard anything these saps have told you?” Ethan scoffs. “You wait. You wait until it’s time for her to come to you. Then, and only then, do you repeat to her how you feel. That’s when she’ll say it back.”
“The earth is officially ending.Ethanis doling out advice,” I say, and he flips me off.
“I read books. I know a thing or two about women besides how to get them off.”
“I said I would be patient, but it’s killing me not to do anything. I just want her to know everything is okay.”
“She knows that,” Hudson reassures me. “You’ve done plenty over the last few months to show her that.”
“Uh, not to diminish this whole big revelation, but can we talk about the elephant in the room? What are you going to do about the scouting job?” Grant asks.
“I don’t know,” I answer honestly. “I see the pros and cons to both sides, and I’m not sure which way I’m leaning. I love DC. I love you guys and being here. You’re my family. The brothers I never had, and leaving what we’ve built together would break my fucking heart. I don’t know what’s best for me, and that’s what I’m struggling with.”
“Do you want to play? Or do you want to have an active role in a player’s development and journey to the NHL?” Maverick asks. “That’s what it comes down to.”
“My heart tells me I want to play. But I don’t know if my body can take it. This sport is ruthless when you have all of your limbs. It’s even more excruciating when you’re missing one, and I don’t know if I can justify throwing away a once-in-a-lifetime shot on the possibility of a maybe.” I sigh and take my glasses back from Maverick. “It’s a tough decision to make.”
“Coaching and scouting will always be there,” Hudson says. “Playing might not be. You’re young right now. You’re the healthiest you’re ever going to be, and it’s only going to get harder the more years that pass.”
“True.” I nod. “I might go out there and just talk with them. Maybe that will tell me everything I need to know.”
“You’re always going to have a home here,” Maverick says. “On the team. In the stands. We are brothers. And brothers stick together until the end.”
“Fucking hell.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “We really need to stop letting book club get so deep. You’re going to make the waterworks start, Cap.”
“Group hug,” he yells, and I laugh when they all tackle me.
We fall on the floor and Ethan yells about my foot being in his ass. Liam tries to pull away, but Grant climbs on his back and keeps him there. It’s chaotic and insane but also exactly what I need.
“You just have to be patient a little longer, man,” Hudson says. “The best things are always worth the wait.”
“Yeah.” I grin. I think about Lexi and me ten years down the road. The smirk she’s tossing me and the way she’ll still have my heart. She’s still taping up ankles and I’m there, happy to just be around her. “They are.”
FIFTY-ONE
LEXI
After a weekand a half of thinking about what Riley said to me—that big, emphaticI love youthat stole my breath away—I decide I need reinforcements.
“I love a girls’ night.” Piper takes the charcuterie board from me and sets it in the middle of the kitchen table. “And I need a break from the playoff stress.”
