Page 27 of A Whole New Trick

“Sure.” He grinds out.

I could stay here and give this guy a hard time all night. I’ve met guys like him before. I’ve played against a lot of them. He thinks he’s God’s gift to humankind, and I’d bet my salary that he has a temper.

I could push Aaron to the point where he snaps and does something stupid like take a swing at me, but while Morgan had a moment of bravery when she delivered her subtle taunt regarding their relationship, she’s still stiff as a board under my arm.

She’s uncomfortable, and getting her out of this situation trumps any desire I have to see if Aaron Burns is dumb enough to try and attack me because he’s jealous.

“Come on, babe.” I tug Morgan to the right. “My brother is waiting for us to meet him for dinner.”

“Right.” She moves without resistance. “See you around, Aaron.”

She doesn’t look at her ex when she says goodbye, but I do. And the prick isseething.

It’s amazing.

I dip my chin and let my lips curl into an arrogant smirk reminiscent of the one he wore just minutes ago. “Have a good night.”

I lead Morgan out of the weight room, hiding my grin until we are through the doors. We turn the corner, and then I bark a laugh.

“You didn’t have to do that,” Morgan murmurs.

I look down. She’s watching me. Her lips twitch, but her gaze is skeptical.

“I know I didn’t, but I wanted to.” Before she can ask why, I admit, “Eli told me about your relationship with him.”

“Oh.” She frowns. I’m worried she will be mad, but she just sighs. I feel her shoulders fall as she releases the pent-up tension. She doesn’t move to dislodge my arm, so I keep it in place. “I don’t know what it is about Aaron, but ever since our breakup, I freeze whenever I’m around him.”

“How often are you around him?”

“Not much anymore. We shared a friend group, and I tried to maintain those relationships after we broke up, but he didn’t make it easy. I realized it was better for my mental health to cut off all connections to him, even if it meant I lost friends. It was hard, but it was for the best.”

“I get it.”

She tips her head back and lifts a brow. “You do?”

I nod. “My college girlfriend and I dated nearly all four years in school. We had the same friends, and it sucked when we broke up. I lost touch with a lot of them.”

“I’m sorry.”

I shrug. “Don’t be. That was years ago. All I’m trying to say is I get how hard breakups can be. And even though it wasn’t themature thing to do, I’m glad I was there when you ran into that asshole.”

“I appreciate that,” she chuckles softly. “But honestly, pretending we’re together was a bit short-sighted.”

“How do you mean?”

“Well… Aaron works for the team which means he’ll be around. Eventually, he’s going to learn we aren’t really dating.”

“Hm.” I stare down the hall that leads to the locker room. An idea forms in my head. Before I question it, I say, “What if we keep up the ruse with the whole team?”

Morgan stops walking and dips her shoulder. My arm falls to my side as I turn to face her.

“What are you talking about, Dane?”

God, I love it when she says my name, even when it’s because she’s irritated.

“Why don’t we pretend to date? Just for a little bit. Just long enough to really piss off your ex.”

She crosses her arms. “Why in the world would you do that?”

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