Page 8 of Hat Trick
?1 And they’re both here.
But why?
I mean, I knew Emerson was going to be here… he and I have been talking about it for weeks. But why is Dominic here? He was supposed to be hundreds of miles away—an ocean between us… literally.
They weren’t supposed to know that I know.
Emerson is wearing a beige linen suit, and Dom’s is the most perfect shade of deepblue. Both of them are wearing white linen shirts, each with the top few buttons undone. Suits are a normal part of their wardrobe, and I often see them wearing them. Either before or after their hockey games, but something about seeing them now, outside of a Palm University-sanctioned event, makes it look even better. Almostnatural.
I don’t know what it is about hockey players, but my god, can they wear a suit. It’s one of the few things they have in common… well, besides me. Which they are clearly nowverymuch aware of.
Dominic is the starting goalie for the Palm University Panthers, and a damn good one at that, from what I’ve heard and the couple of clips I’ve seen him share to his socials. He’s built like a brick shithouse, which is apparently common for the goalies to be absolute monsters of men. At five foot ten, I can wear my highest heels and still have to make him bend down just to kiss me. However, I will say that the man’s ability to throw me around like a rag doll is an absolute plus. And don’t even get me started on how flexible he is. He has the most beautiful, golden-brown skin, a couple of shades darker than mine, and keeps his pitch-black hair in a short, faded haircut, but keeps the cutest curls on top that my fingers love to get lost in. Specifically when he’s between my thighs. And that light stubble that dusts over his perfectly sculpted jaw is the cherry on top.
Then there’s Emerson. He’s a few inches shorter than Dominic, but his muscles rival Dom’s. His black strands are always styled in the most mouth-watering flow, and his steel-blue eyes twinkle every time he looks at me. And when he smiles, there’s a dimple that popsout on his right cheek. Just one. Emerson is also the right defenseman for the team, which means he protects the net and Dom at all costs.Supposedly. From what I hear. I really don’t know jack shit when it comes to hockey. However, what I do know is that the two of them light up whenever they talk about it. They’re like kids at Christmas any time even the mention of the game comes up. And what can I say, I like watching them smile, so I let them yap.
Regardless of how panicked I feel and how disappointed both of their expressions read, I can’t help but want to climb them like a stripper climbs a pole. I’m weak when it comes to them. And I’m not weak for anyone,ever.
Ooo, that reminds me. I need to check if Gigi wants to take that pole dancing class I’ve heard about.
By the time I hear the music change over for Clay to finally walk up the aisle, Rocky is already standing next to me. But instead of looking down the aisle, his concerned expression is focused on me. “Are you okay?”
“I was about to ask you the same thing,” he whispers back to me.
I nod reassuringly because my messiness is none of his business. Especially not now. I gesture toward the end of the aisle where his man is waiting for him.
The smile on my brother’s face and the equally blinding one covering Clay’s are enough to make my nose burn. Looking up at the sky, I try to hold back the tears that are already wanting to make their appearance.
Clay’s practically floating up the aisle, walking alongside Mr. Baker. That’s not Clay’s father, but trust me when I say Clay’s actual father is the biggest piece of human garbage I have ever stumbled across. So when Jax and Emerson’s dad offered to walk with him, let’s just say there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
Clay joins my brother at the altar, and despite my best efforts, I find myself having a hard time listening to the first part of the ceremony.
I want nothing more than to look at the two men I can feel burrowing holes in the side of my head.
“Rocky, do you have your prepared vows?” Yep, that pulls my attention right back down to earth.
My brother goes first, reciting his vows from memory. I could never, but he’s always been smarter than me.
“Clayton Aldrich. The man you are. More so, the man I’ve watched you become.” I can see Clay’s face as I look around Rocky’s shoulder, and there are already tears streaming down his cheeks. “The positivity and humor that you bring to every situation, no matter what your brain is doing, is something I wish everyone could experience. You light up every room with the brightness that is you, Clay, and being able to experience this life with you will be a debt I owe to some higher power, forever. I often ask myself how I could have possibly gotten so lucky. And even though I know I’ll never know the answer, I do know one thing: I could never do this life without you. You’re my sunshine on the rainiest of days, and I love you more than I’ll ever be able to tellyou. But I promise you, I’ll spend the rest of my life trying.”
A sob breaks out of Clay as my tears begin to fall. Fuck, I didn’t want to cry; I’m not going to be able to stop now. And the quietest, “I love you so much,” from Clay, has me biting the inside of my cheek, trying to hold in the sob that is rapidly crawling its way up my throat.
The longer I stare at the two of them, the more it hits me that I’m afraid I’ll never find love like this… I’m a hard person to love. Being a woman who’s headstrong and independent isn’t what most men look for. That was always the reason my exes ended up leaving, or why men never ended up asking me out. Men have said the wildest shit to me…
“You’re too mean.”I tell the truth, and sometimes that is hurtful. Grow up.
“You act like you don’t even need me.”I don’t.
And my personal favorite, “I can’t control you.”The thing is, the right mancouldhave control if he wanted it, but that’s earned, not given.
I can be a lot and cause problems when I feel the tension building or when things start to become too serious. I don’t like feeling out of control. And when you’re in a relationship with another person, there’s not much you can control about them. The only thing you cancontrolis you. That’s why I’ve warned off relationships and instead keep things fun and casual. It’s worked out great with Dom and Emerson, but I have a sneaking suspicion that it’s all about to change.
Did you catch my sarcasm there?
Clay takes a second to gather himself and inhales a shaky breath, once again pulling me from said spiral. “Rockwell Campos. Rocky Baby. Rockman.My everythingis what I should’ve called you from the beginning.”
Rocky murmurs under his breath, “You did…” And everyone bursts out laughing because it’s true. Clay fell fast and hard, and he sure as hell never denied it, either.
“I did, and I regret nothing, because look at us now.” Clay’s beaming smile says it all as he continues. “I may be your sun, but Rocky, you make that light in me brighter than I ever could have hoped. Or should I say flame? You know, since I’m a Leo and all… Fire sign, and you’re my air. The very oxygen I need to breathe.” Rocky chuckles at his joke because that’s what Clay and Rocky do. They joke. They laugh. They have fun. They’re some of the lucky ones. Because they’ve got both.
