Hat trick. And if you’d like to take me on my first date, I think you should have to score one first.
Jackson:
Did whoever taught you that term also inform you that hat tricks are really tough to get, especially during playoffs?
Chuckling to myself, I consider how to play this before typing my response.
Me:
Am I worth the hard work and effort?
Jackson:
Undoubtedly, yes. Consider it done. I’ve got a game Saturday afternoon. If my good luck charm is there, I’ll score her a hat trick and take her out for our first *official* date after. What do you say?
Me:
I’ll be sure to wear a hat I don’t mind throwing onto the ice.
Jackson:
Atta girl! Sweet dreams.
Me:
Same to you. Night!
I bring my phone to my chest and grin at my ceiling like an idiot. It’s a long shot, but I think I may have my first official date this weekend.
Look at me checking off one of Ryan’s items like it’s no big deal.
6
Then
I’m still riding the high from our win and my hat trick when I walk into the lobby with my bag slung over my shoulder and holding a white knit hat in one hand and my hockey sticks in the other.
My face lights up when I catch sight of her dark hair as she stands with her back to me while talking to Ryan. I take her in for a moment, loving the way her puffy coat nearly swallows her whole, before making my way over to where the two of them are laughing together in the corner.
“You have the best laugh I’ve ever heard,” is what surprisingly slips from my lips when I reach her instead of literally anything else.
Taevin startles, but when she realizes it’s me who gave her the compliment, an enigmatic smile lights up her face.
“If it isn’t Mr. Hat Trick himself,” Ryan says in a teasing tone. “Maybe if you’re funny on your date tonight with my girl, you’ll earn more of her laughter.”
I quirk a brow at Ryan. “Your girl?”
“Yep, Tae’s my girl. And you’re the lucky son of a gun who gets to take her on a date. I will say, though, you made that hat trick look easy.”
Taevin nods in agreement. “You did. Almost too easy—makes me wish I would’ve challenged you a bit more.”
“Not easy at all. I was just highly motivated,” I admit, shifting my bag on my shoulder to compensate for the sheepishness threatening to take over. This feeling is not one I recognize, as I typically toe the fine line between confidence and cockiness.
Almost as if Taevin knows I need it, she pivots the conversation. “I overheard someone say there’s scouts here.”
It’s my turn to nod once. “Yeah, from Harvard and Emery University.”
“Aren’t those both near Boston?” Ryan asks before aiming a knowing smile Taevin’s way.
