Page 35 of A Whole New Trick

He flew over the ice with speed his equally athletic opponents struggled to keep up with, and his reaction times were flawless. Dane had three takeaways during the game—three.That’s amazing, considering his season average has been less than one takeaway a game.

I’d been confident Dane would adjust to his new meal plan, but I won’t lie; part of me worried that I screwed up by adjusting the star center’s diet so drastically. Other athletes had handled similar changes just fine, but people are different. Dane could have been the one client whose body needed more time to learn how to metabolize new foods, impacting his energy levels and performance for weeks.

Thank God that didn’t happen.

Instead, his diet and modified training, alone or in conjunction, have improved his play to career-high levels. If he can maintain tonight’s performance throughout the rest of the playoffs, the Ranchers have a real chance of winning the cup.

A few fans wander around, staying close to the metal fencing that blocks off the area between the building and the bus, hoping to catch sight of the Ranchers players when they walk to the bus. A group of beautiful women are huddled together in puffy white jackets and tight pants closest to the visiting exit.

I don’t recognize them. They could be girlfriends or wives of players, but I suspect they’re women hoping to catch the eye of a hockey star and enjoy his company for the night.

It's a good thing you’re fake-dating Dane.

If he wants our ruse to be believable, he can’t pursue one of those beautiful women.

My phone buzzes.

I look down and see a text from my oldest brother.

When are you getting here, pipsqueak?

I shake my head.

When I get there, sasquatch. Be patient.

Matthew replies with a middle finger emoji.

I return it with a hair-flip emoji.

Brothers…

I’ll catch a ride back to the hotel with the team before ordering a rideshare to my uncle’s vacation house on the outskirts of Los Alamos. My brothers and I visited my father’s brother and his family every summer when we were growing up. Now that we’re adults scheduling a trip together is more challenging.

When my brothers learned I’d be in town for the Ranchers game, they quickly adjusted their schedules and arranged a spontaneous trip to our favorite vacation spot without our parents.

I love my parents, but there hasn’t been one conversation since news of my relationship broke in which Mom and Dad haven’t pestered me with questions about it. My brothers are overprotective in general, but they aren’t interested in casually discussing my love life, which I appreciate.

“Hey, Morgan.”

I look up from the text, and my amused smile drops when I register who’s walking towards me from the visiting players’ exit.

“Aaron.”

My ex saunters towards me with a swagger I used to think conveyed confidence. Now, all I see is cockiness.

I was blind to so many of his faults during our three-year relationship, but now that I’ve had distance from his belittling presence and time to process all the fucked up things he said and did, I will never be deceived by someone like him again.

“What are you doing out here? It’s freezing.”

It’s cold, but it’s far from freezing.

“I’m fine.” I cross my arms in front of my chest. “Is the team about to come out?” I look to the still-closed doors, silently begging someone to come out and save me from my ex’s company.

“No idea.”

“Well, the driver isn’t on the bus yet.” I hike a thumb over my shoulder at the empty bus. “You might want to wait inside.”

“That’s okay. I don’t mind waiting here.”

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