Page 125 of Twisted Collide

“He mentioned it.”

“Yeah. He became my legal guardian when I was eleven years old.”

I close my mouth and nibble at my bottom lip. “He was so young. Dane was what—like eighteen?”

“He was.”

“I can’t imagine that was easy for either of you.”

“It wasn’t. Especially for him, but he doesn’t like to talk about that. Or anything, for that matter.” She laughs.

I incline my head and take her in. She’s a beautiful girl with similar features to her brother. When she was eleven, I imagine she was most likely adorable, had a great personality, and was easy to deal with because of her sweet disposition. But still, that had to be hard at eighteen.

“Was he in college?”

“No. Actually, he was a senior in high school. It’s why he stayed local, playing one year of college hockey, before Coach took him pro when he took over as head coach for the Saints.”

I knew my father coached Dane in college, but I didn’t realize my father was the reason he went pro so young.

It’s bad enough that I know nothing of my father, but now it’s even more heartbreaking.

I can tell right away there is a long story there, and of course, my father treats him like a son and vice versa; from what it sounds like, Dane was forced to grow up way before his time, and my father was the one who helped him.

Interesting.

Maybe I’m wrong about my father after all.

53

JOSIE

A few daysafter our lunch, I’m pleasantly surprised by Molly’s invitation to join her for drinks tonight.

I glance around the bar, a nervous energy coursing through my veins. My heart races a mile a minute, and I’m not sure why.

Okay, that’s a lie. I know why.

I just don’t want to admit it to myself.

Dane.

He’ll be here soon.

Not that it matters since he won’t even speak to me when he’s here, but just having him in the vicinity makes me jittery.

Maybe I’ll be able to lure him away, sneak into the bathroom, and have my wicked way with him.

Looking around the bar, I spot the team. Hudson turns, and the moment he sees me, he waves.

I make my way through the crowd, and with each step I take, I search for Dane. Finally, as the crowd parts,there he is.

He doesn’t see me at first, but then he tilts his chin up, and our gazes meet.

His features look tight, and his stare is unsettling, but then what looks like a small smile lines his face.

A rush of warmth fills my veins, and I’m sure my cheeks are crimson.

How does this man do this to me?

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