Page 3 of A Whole New Trick

“Not since college.” Lacy had her own run-in with cheating assholes. They were all fellow D1 athletes she met in our school’s training facilities.

“Hm. Think I can change her mind?”

“You can try.” I grin. “But I think she goes for guys who give off more…intensevibes.” Lacy is a prolific reader of dark romances. She’s big into rooting for anti-heroes.

“Intense? I can be intense.”

“Says who?” A smooth, masculine voice asks over my head. I turn, and my eyes widen as I identify the man standing in front of me.

He’s Dane Larson, the center for the Dallas hockey team and one of the most talented players in the league.

I’m not a fan girl by any means, but it’s impossible not to admire his tall, broad frame chiseled to perfection. The club’s dim lighting hides his sandy blond hair, but I know its color. Not from stalking him on social media. However, I do follow the Ranchers’ account, where Dane is often featured in their posts.

No, I know his hair color from seeing him in person. Dane Larson just so happens to be close friends with my best friend’s brother, Carter.

The star linebacker and star center hang out often, and I saw the hockey player at Carter’s housewarming party a few months ago. It’d been a backyard barbeque for family and friends. And while I’d been too preoccupied hanging out with Carlee and her niece and nephew to introduce myself, I saw Dane from afar. And there’s no denying it—he’s just as good-looking in person as he is online.

Dane’s physique is a testament to hard work and discipline, and his style is effortlessly sexy, with every detail perfectly in place to showcase his chiseled torso and muscular thighs and perfect ass.

Dane’s lips curl into a self-satisfied smirk, and my cheeks burn when I realize I’ve been staring.

“Hey, man,” Cam greets his teammate. “This is Morgan. Morgan, this is Dane.”

“I know.” I hold out my hand the same way I did with Cam. “Nice to meet you.”

His smirk grows even as he takes my hand. “Don’t tell me, Cam found the one female hockey fan in the club?”

I want to say yes, I am a fan of the sport. My brothers and I watched as many games as we could growing up, but the arrogant spark in Dane’s eye has me holding back. He may be hot, but I’m not interested in fueling an ego I already suspect is inflated.

“Hardly.” I tug my hand back after a quick shake. I look away from the attractive center and focus on his more approachable friend. “Back to Lacy. I think you could have a chance with her, but I wouldn’t talk about being an athlete too much.”

He nods. “No shop talk. Got it.”

“Who’s Lacy?”

I slowly drag my eyes back to Dane. “My friend.” I look back at Cam, but Dane speaks again.

“Is she pretty?”

“Almost as pretty as Morgan,” Cam says with a wink.

I exhale an awkward laugh. “You’re too kind.”

Dane’s stare stays on me, but I don’t know what to make of his expression. He’s checking me out, but there’s a hint of question in his gaze. I suppose he could recognize me. Just because we didn’t speak at the barbeque doesn’t mean he didn’t see me.

“Dance with me.”

I blink at the sudden demand. “Excuse me?”

“Dance with me.” He holds out a hand. His lips curl into a sexy smirk. “Please.”

My forehead furrows even as my stomach dips. “No, thanks.”

“No?” He sounds amused.

“No,” I repeat.

Cam watches our interaction with a wide smile. Hearing me reject his friend a second time, he bellows out a laugh. “Damn, Dane. You’re losing your touch. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen you be rejected before.”

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