Page 87 of Twisted Collide

The first game is an away game, with the Saints playing the Chicago Warriors. I’ll be going with the team, and since I wouldn’t know what that meant for Dane and me, I’d be worried and nervous all day. Yeah. This is a good thing. Now I know where I stand.

Time to rip the Band-Aid off on this awkward moment. I cough, and the girl turns to look at me. Her eyes narrow.

Shit. She’s gorgeous. With dark wavy brown hair and sun-kissed skin, she looks like she just left a beach. Probably to pose for a magazine, seeing how tall she is. Bitch. Well, what did I expect? Of course, Dane would date a supermodel.

A giant knot forms in my stomach, and I swear I can feel sweat forming on my brow. Is this his wife? Wait, he doesn’t have a wife. I’d know if he did,right? She’s also too young for him.

Actually, she looks my age. Double shit. Pot meet kettle. She’s perfect for him.

“Are you Josie?”

“Josephine,” Dane corrects, and I look from her to him. I feel like a fish out of water. I’m not sure how to answer.

“That’s me,” I try to put on a cheerful tone.

Then, the girl moves away from Dane and approaches me. Herarms are raised, and I brace for a slap, but that doesn’t happen. Instead, she launches herself at me and hugs me.

“Josie, it’s so good to meet you. Thank you so much for taking care of my brother when I was away.”

“Molly?”

“Duh. Who else can love this big, grumpy asshole?” She laughs.

Okay, heart, time to regulate. Passing out while in front of Dane’s sister won’t be cool.

I take a deep breath, willing myself to calm before I cough and then speak. “You have a point there. I didn’t think you were coming back until Thursday.” According to Dane, she wouldn’t return until then. Wonder what changed.

“My brother needed me—”

I look up at her, and she shakes her head. “Not that you did anything wrong. He just can’t start the season without me. Tradition and all.” She shrugs like it’s no big deal.

“Got it,” I mutter. Even though her excuse makes sense, something tells me it’s a lot more than that. It feels almost like her brother wants to stay far away from me.

That idea sounds more probable. It also makes me want to vomit.

“Let’s go grab coffee and chat, then I’ll tell Coach I’m back.”

I wonder what that will mean for me. Sure, I’ve been doing work that’s for the whole team, but the majority of my time has been helping Dane.

I follow Molly toward the back office, and when we get there, my father sees her. His face lights up, eyes soft, and he’s wearing the largest smile I have ever seen on his face. He’s never looked at me like that. My stomach hollows.

He looks at her like a daughter. Like when she’s around, his life is complete.

I’m his actual biological daughter, and he doesn’t look at me like that.

It’s soul-crushing.

A weight presses down on my chest, and it feels like I can’t breathe. It feels like a hand has reached into my chest, squeezing my heart.

I need to get out of here, but for some reason, I can’t will my legs to move. The longer I stay, the more I will shatter, yet I can’t turn away. Can’t stop the pain that’s filling my veins.

“Molly, you’re back early,” my father says as he pulls her in for a hug.

“Between us, I missed home.” Her words sound muted and distant next to the loud ringing in my ears.

I look at her and take in her soft features. “I’m not used to being away from family that long.”

My last bit of strength slips away.

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