Page 29 of A Whole New Trick

9

MORGAN

“HaveI told you that you are the most beautiful woman on this field?” The words are whispered in my ear as a muscular arm lands on my shoulders. “You really know how to wear those yoga pants.”

“Knock it off, Chen.” I nudge his toned abs with my elbow, forcing him to step back and drop his arm. “There are photographers here.”

Joshua Chen straightens and rubs his stomach with a wounded expression. “Are you embarrassed by my love, Morgan? Even after the night we spent together at my cousin’s wedding?”

Beside me, Carlee barks a laugh, spewing out the sip she just took from her water bottle.

I level a disapproving glare on the trouble-making first basemen, but my lips twitch when I see his pout.

“You’re determined to start drama, aren’t you?” I shoot a pointed look at the other side of the grassy field where the other half of today’s athletic volunteers are gathered with a group of kids, preparing to divide into teams for a friendly baseball game.

Carlee’s here for work, and I’m here to keep her company. My best friend is the social media coordinator for the TexasLonestars, and she called Joshua over for a photo op that she’ll use later to promote today’s community field day. Athletes from men’s and women’s professional teams in the area are here to participate, including members of the Texas Ranchers.

My gaze locks with Dane’s like a magnet to metal, pulled in by the attraction that, as hard as I try to ignore, percolates between us anytime we’re in the same room. Even from this distance, I can see the annoyance in his expression, telling me he saw Joshua’s flirtatious gesture.

A thrill courses through me.

I’ve caught Dane checking me out when I’m cooking at his place and he thinks I won’t notice. It used to annoy me as much as flatter me. But now, after he helped me navigate the unwelcome run-in with Aaron, my feelings lean more towards flattery.

Which is dangerous now that we’ve officially launched our fake dating relationship with the world. And by the world, I mean we held hands when walking into the Ranchers’ Facility last Thursday. The news spread like wildfire through the locker room, and it took half a day before it reached my boss’s inbox.

Luckily, I’d anticipated that. Before I told Dane I was one hundred percent in on our scheme, I’d searched the Ranchers’ employee handbook for a no-fraternization policy. I’d be a fool not to, especially considering Carlee's mess with the Lonestars when they found out about her and Corey.

The hockey team’s policy states that no athletes are allowed to engage in romantic relationships with coaches, trainers, or other staff who hold supervisory power to avoid conflicts of interest and maintain a professional atmosphere for the team. Other consenting relationships are permitted as long as they are disclosed to the organization.

So, after confirming that Dane was serious about following through on his spontaneous idea, I emailed Dr. Gaines to inform him of my relationship with Dane.

Did I feel bad for lying to my boss?

Of course.

But the fact Aaron works for the Ranchers gave me no choice.

I’ve worked hard to overcome the marks his influence left on my self-esteem. I’m proud to say I’ve grown into a woman who would never allow herself to be treated so poorly by her partner ever again.

But that didn’t stop my body from snapping into fight or flight mode when I found myself in front of the man who single-handedly ground my confidence into dust. I shudder to think what would’ve happened if Dane hadn’t been there.

A sly smile curls my lips when I remember the shock and fury in the athletic trainer’s face when he heard Dane call me babe.

In the few times we’ve run into each other since, Aaron has been nothing but respectful. I’m not sure he won’t drop the façade one day and try to take an ax to my self-esteem, but for now, he’s keeping his distance. Which means I don’t have to work in a hostile work environment. Which means I can focus on doing my job.

I remind myself of that each time guilt tries to worm its way into my mind—telling me I shouldn’t lie to people about the status of my relationship.

The Ranchers want Dane to perform at his peak. I’m assigned to help by optimizing his diet and analyzing his performance during practice and games to assess the effects of my efforts. It would be hard to do the latter if I had Aaron nearby, sneering at me with those cold, judgmental eyes.

“I can’t believe you chose Larson over me.” Joshua’s words are the excuse I need to pull my eyes off the enigmatic manacross the field. The handsome first baseman clutches the fabric over his heart. “I don’t know if I will ever recover.”

“Please.” I roll my eyes. “Just go on your secret dating profile and find a quality girl to date already.”

“Secret profile?” Carlee’s eyes widen.

Joshua glares. “Nice, Morgan.”

“What?” I hold my hands up innocently. “Is it a secret?”

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