Page 50 of Dump and Chase

He smiled at my irritation. “But you got the job, and I hear the players are liking you.”

I shoveled another spoonful into my mouth. Ethan was a decent cook, but his mac and cheese was the best I’d ever had. “How do you know that?”

“You don’t think players talk? A lot of them know each other. I hear some of them think you’re cute,” he said, gently punching me in the arm.

“There’s a strict rule about fraternization,” I said, punching him back.

“Fair. I wouldn’t encourage you to date any hockey players. We’re all the worst.”

We ate in silence for a few minutes, and I was so hungry after missing lunch that I helped myself to another serving of mac and cheese, making sure I left some for tomorrow.

“A few of the guys mentioned that you’ve managed to crack Warde’s crusty exterior. Is that true?”

I sat back down at the island with my nearly full bowl. “I’m not sure how crusty he is, but he doesn’t push my buttons. Or if he does, I clap back.”

Ethan got up and brought his empty plate to the dishwasher. He poured himself another glass of water and leaned against the counter, watching me. “He’s an annihilator. He chews trainers up and spits them out. His expectations go above and beyond. How were you able to avoid the annihilation?”

I had an idea where this was going, and I enjoyed seeing Ethan get a little jealous. “I told him from the start that I wasn’t going to take his shit. Maybe he gets off on women who take charge.”

Ethan remained stone-faced. I was loving this little game.

“He’s going to try to crush you.”

“I don’t think so. He knows his place with me. I don’t think I’m going to have a problem at all.”

When we were together, I had no interest in playing games with Ethan. But now, every time I thought of Brandi getting an engagement ring after six months, it made it so much easier to get my digs in. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get past that, or stop feeling so bitter and angry. The one thing I’d always wanted, he refused to give me. Even though we were having a kid together, I couldn’t trust him with my heart again, especially when he’d been able to walk away from Brandi so easily.

“At least he won’t be your problem forever. I’m sure once he’s in game shape, he’ll be called up to the Kodiaks.”

“Right. And then he’ll no longer be a member of the Ravens and won’t have to follow their rules. Interesting. Anyway, thank you for dinner. It really hit the spot. I think I’m going to catch up on some reading in my room.”

Yup, I couldn’t keep this up forever, but I was enjoying playing around with Ethan, just like he’d done with me for seven long years.

ChapterTwenty-Four

Ethan

Ihadn’t slept well. I kept replaying the conversation with Tangi in my head. I got what she was implying. She thought Warde was hot, and if he was going to be called up to the Kodiaks, that would make him available to her. Over my dead body. I cared way too much about Tangi to let that happen.

I got out of bed and showered. I had to be at the rink by nine, but as I was heading for the kitchen to make a protein shake, I spotted Tangi out on the balcony. She was leaning over the railing, coffee cup in hand, taking in the scene. The reason I’d picked this place was for the view, and I was glad she loved it as much as I did.

I quickly made my shake and joined her on the balcony. The sliding door caught her attention, and she turned to greet me. Her long, chestnut-brown hair was up in a ponytail and she hadn’t done her makeup yet, but she still looked gorgeous.

“Gorgeous morning,” I said, standing next to her. After a few days of rain, it was sunny and unseasonably warm, though Vancouver barely saw any snow and never got as cold as Minnesota.

“It is. Kind of tranquil, minus the car noise.”

She sipped her coffee, and I stole a glance at her. How had I fucked this up with her so spectacularly? I knew why: because I was a stubborn bonehead.

“How are you feeling? All good?”

“I’m feeling fine,” she said giving me a brief look. “I have a doctor’s appointment coming up if you’re around and want to be there. Just routine, so I can meet my new doctor here. It looks like I’ll be having the baby here, so I want to make sure everything is arranged.”

I’d figured she’d include me in everything, so this was kind of nice even though I’d expected it. “Yeah, I’d like to be there.”

“My mom plans to come out when I have the baby, to help me for a while. Then I’m going back to Minneapolis for the summer, so I hope you don’t mind.”

“I figured. I’ll probably come home too. I’d like to be there with our baby and help out.”

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