Page 8 of The Winning Hat Trick (The Steel City Knights #1)

Maclan

" H ey, Brooks. What's up?"

"Hey, Mac. I know your schedule’s starting to get crazy, but on the off chance that you're free, I'm going to my friend Ezra's to swim and have a cookout later, and I wanted to extend the invitation to you if you can come.

I called the twins, but I haven't heard back from them. I figured they must be at practice."

"What time are you heading over, and where is it?" I already had practice this morning, but I still have film to watch.

"He actually doesn't live far from you. Maybe five minutes or so? We're here now and will be all day, so you could come over whenever. I can text you his address. He's dating Daphne."

"Oh yeah, that's why his name sounds familiar. I'm still at the facility. Just got done with practice and grabbing a bite to eat, then I've got about an hour or two of film to watch, but then I can come over. Need me to bring anything?"

"Make sure you bring your suit, but really, that's it. Ezra eats pretty healthy for the most part, so he should have stuff here that works with your diet."

"Alright, sounds good. I've got a chef who's making a couple of meals fitting my diet that I just have to heat up for the week. I'll bring one of those just in case. Send me the address, and I'll see you in a few hours."

"Can't wait."

The smile in my brother's voice makes me even more excited to get through this film and get the hell out of here.

"Me neither. See ya soon, bro."

"Hey, Mac. How's the shoulder?" Liam, the team PT, sits down across from me in our café.

"A lot better. The k-tape really seems to help. It makes it feel more stable, if that makes sense."

"Absolutely. That's exactly what it's supposed to do, so I'm glad it feels good.

" He smiles back. "I'll let you get back to your lunch.

Keep up with the icing after practice and come see me for a massage if you need to.

The tape should be good for a few days, but if it starts to come off, just stop by and we can replace it. "

"Thanks, Liam. I will."

I scarf down my lunch, then head to the film room and wait for my teammates to join me in going over tape for our preseason game next week.

We've got a few new players, which means we've got new lines that we need to figure out.

I'm a right defenseman, and thank my lucky stars that my partner, Thoren, is still on my line.

We started our rookie years on the Steel City Knights together and have become close over the years.

I know he's got my back, just like he knows I've got his.

"Hey, man. How's it going?" Thor nods as I sit down.

"Not bad. Ready to get through this film so I can enjoy the rest of my day off."

"I hear ya. What do you have going on? Wanna grab a burger or something later?"

"Brooks actually asked me to come hang out with him and some of his friends. His friend has a pool, and they're going to cook out. He called the twins too. I don't know if they will be able to make it, but with all of our seasons starting, I'd like to see them all as much as I can."

"I get that. Sounds like a fun night. We can grab food another day."

"For sure."

"Alright, guys. We've got a lot to cover," our defensive coach says as he comes into the room and shuts off the lights.

We spend the next hour and a half picking apart our opponents' weaknesses.

"You think we've got a good chance next week?" Thoren stretches as the lights come back on and we are released for the day.

"I think so. We've got a solid team, and the new guys seem eager to earn their spots. Besides, you and I are there to help Steiner protect the goal. We won't make the other team's job easy."

"Fucking right." Thoren reaches out his arm, his hand in a fist for me to bump with my own. "Have fun with your brothers today. Don't let Carson convince you to do anything too crazy."

"Ha. I won't. I haven't fallen for his shit in years."

"Good. His ass is a little too wild for me." Thoren fake shudders as if he's imagining the chaos Carson can cause.

"You're telling me. Cam deserves an award for being able to keep him under control and make him use his brain on the regular. See you later, man."

"Later."

My truck is hot as fuck, so I lower the windows and crank the AC while I pull up Ezra's address.

Zooming out on the map, I see that it's only a few blocks from where I live.

I head home first to grab my suit and one of the meals the private chef stocks my fridge with, then I head out to hang out with my brother and his friends.

I almost drive past the driveway, but I catch the address on the gate at the last minute and slow down. It's open, which makes it hard to see. I pull up beside Brooks's car and head to the front door. It takes a minute for someone to answer, but when he does, he's not what I'm expecting.

The guy before me has an inch or two on me, is covered in tattoos, and is pretty jacked. He looks like he could play on my team, not be a CEO of a tech company. In his arms is the most adorable baby girl I've ever seen.

"Hey, I'm Ezra. You must be Maclan." He stretches out his hand with a friendly smile. I shake it and then follow him inside. "Come on in. Everyone is out by the pool, but we can stop in the kitchen and put that in the fridge, if you want." He gestures to the container of food in my hands.

"Thanks. Brooks said you'd probably have food I could eat, but I don't expect people to cater to my diet, so I figured it was just as easy to bring this with me."

"No, I get it. I probably have a decent amount of stuff you could eat, but that's if I was cooking.

My mom is bound to end up here and cook at least one meal today, and I can guarantee that while it will be delicious, it absolutely won't be on your meal plan.

Isn't that right, Layla Bug?" He teases the little girl in his arms, who giggles as she squirms to get away from his tickling.

I don't remember Brooks saying Ezra had a kid, but the familiarity he has with the little girl has me wondering if my big brother just failed to mention it.

A longing slams me in the chest as I watch them. I've always known I wanted kids, but this desperate need to start my own family is new.

"Layla, can you say hi to Maclan?" Ezra prompts once he notices my eyes are glued to the adorable baby with huge blue eyes and dark brown curls.

She waves her chubby baby arm, then lunges towards me.

"Whoa!" I step forward, catching her before she can fall from Ezra's arms. "I've got you." I cradle her to my chest as she babbles away and nuzzles her head into the crook of my neck.

"Well, looks like my niece likes you."

"Your niece? I thought—"

"I can see that. She looks just like her mama, my little sister, when she was a baby.

Thank fuck none of the kids really look like their deadbeat dad.

He signed his rights over to Celeste during the divorce.

So, although they're not mine, I love the shit out of these kids and love spending time with them.

The other two are out back with the guys and other kids. Come on. I'll introduce you."

I can't help wondering what kind of man could walk away from his kids.

Ezra puts my food in the fridge, then makes his way through a sliding glass door to a backyard that puts mine to shame, which is saying something. The pool area is massive with a built-in waterfall, slide, and a hot tub. There's also a full kitchen, and a grill with a huge patio and seating area.

I recognize Axle, Maverick, Cash, Reid, and Landon, and their kids playing in the pool.

I met them all at Brooks's bookstore opening a few months back.

They were all great guys, and I'm not mad about spending my day off with them.

I spot Brooks lounging in the shade next to where Ezra just sat down and make my way over to him, with Layla in my arms. She seems content, and I love her snuggles, so I'm not about to willingly hand her over.

When Brooks's eyes meet mine, a knowing smirk flashes across his face before he quickly turns it into a welcoming smile. "Here for a minute and already found a lady to fawn all over you," Brooks teases.

"Shut it, di— Dude." I wince as the guys laugh at my almost slip-up.

"Don't worry about it, man. Try as she might, Celeste is horrible at censoring herself. Calla's favorite word is 'shit'. She loves to tell people to 'knock off your bullshit'."

I've just taken a drink from my water bottle and end up choking on it as I laugh while trying to swallow. It doesn't work out well for me, which ends with me in a coughing fit and Layla, Ezra, and Brooks laughing at me.

"You good, man?" Ezra asks, but I barely register him as Layla's little baby hands pat my face to make me feel better. Her concern has me smiling reassuringly at her. I hate the frown on her sweet face.

"I'm good, baby girl." I run my fingers gently down her cheek.

The rest of the afternoon flies by. Carson and Cam show up a couple of hours after me, making Brooks's and my day that much sweeter. I take Layla swimming and also have a blast with Ezra's other niece, Calla, and nephew Talon. They are all really good kids and enjoy the pool.

Cash's daughter, Penny, mother-hens all the kids and roasts her dad and uncles when it comes to taking care of her twin baby brothers.

She also somehow convinces Mav and Axle to let her give them a makeover.

The final products are awful, but the guys are such good sports about it.

It's not every day you see two badass, biker-looking guys rock hot pink eyeshadow and purple lipstick, but they both do it for Penny.

Reid and Landon each have one of Cash and Chayse's twins passed out on their stomachs and are lying on a chaise beside me. Layla is stuck to me like glue as she naps, and I have to admit I'm loving every second of it.

"Are you some kind of baby whisperer?" Landon says quietly, not wanting to wake the baby on his chest.

"Not that I know of."