Page 58 of Hat Trick
Me
You can ask for an upgrade. Maybe they have a BOGO deal.
Dad
Ha. Glad to hear you getting your humor back, son.
* * *
The last fittingfor my permanent prosthetic is easier than I thought it would be. My doctor lets me know he’ll send the final product to my apartment in a few days, and that’s it.
One chapter closed, another opened.
I feel light on my way to Pilates. The November weather is tolerable. There’s a pep in my step that wasn’t there two weeks ago, and I’m not experiencing any phantom limb pain. Turns out, following the exercises I’m supposed to do makes everything easier, and I’m finally figuring out my balance and gait.
When I pull open the door to the studio downtown, I’m immediately hugged by Piper.
“Riley Mitchell,” she says, face buried in my shirt. “It’s about time you showed up to a team event.”
“Piper Mitchell. I saw you two nights ago at our home game.”
“I know. But this is different. I missed you. I missed hanging out with you outside the barn.”
“I missed you too, Piper,” I say, giving her a hug.
She steps back and holds my hands, surveying me. Her attention doesn’t linger on my legs even though it’s the first time I’m wearing shorts out in public with my prosthetic, and when her gaze moves back to my face, she lets out a heavy breath.
“How are you feeling?” she asks. “You look good.”
“I’m getting there.” I squeeze her palms. “You look good too.”
“Watch yourself, Mitchell,” Liam says, appearing behind Piper and pulling her to him so her back is flush against his chest.
“Which Mitchell?” Piper teases.
“That one.” Liam lifts his chin my way. “I don’t like when people play with things that are mine.”
“Wow.” Piper elbows his ribs, and a smile works its way onto his mouth. All this fresh air away from my apartment is making me hallucinate. “Don’t call me yourthing.”
“Sorry, sunshine. You know I didn’t mean it like that.” Liam glances my way. “You do look good, Mitchy.”
“I didn’t know this was going to turn into a compliment train,” I say. “Flirt with me a little more, Sully.”
“Don’t expect anything else,” he tosses back.
I point over my shoulder to the reformer device in the corner that’s calling my name. “I’m going to grab the machine away from the front before someone can steal it. I’ll see you all after.”
I stop to say hello to the other guys, doling out high fives and hugs before I make it to the back of the studio. It’s darker over here. Quieter too, and I’m glad I have a space where I can try the exercises and, inevitably, fail privately.
“Hey,” a sweet voice says, and I relax at the sound of it.
I glance up and find Lexi in front of me, hands on her hips and a wide smile on her mouth. She looks like a fucking knockout in tight leggings and a shirt that shows off the bottom half of her stomach. Her dark hair is up in a ponytail, but some pieces fall out and frame her face.
Fucking hell.
I’m never going to get over this crush.
“Hi,” I answer, hoping my voice doesn’t crack. “What’s up?”
