Page 37 of A Whole New Trick

A kid and his dad appear next to us. I nudge Dane towards them. He swallows and turns with a forced smile to say hello, then signs the kid’s Ranchers hat. Another group of fans comes up to congratulate him on a great game and asks him to sign their jerseys.

The women don’t come over. I think my presence deters them.

Good.

For some reason, Aaron doesn’t take the opportunity Dane’s distraction affords him to escape. Instead, my ex stays right where he is. I feel his stare, but I ignore it.

Unfortunately, he decides to use the fact we’re around other people to force me into conversation. “So, are you going to your uncle’s place while you’re in town?”

I pretend I don’t hear him.

He isn’t so easily deterred. “I saw that Miles and Mason are in town from their Instagram,” he says, naming my twin brothers. I know him well enough to know what he’s doing.

Aaron is trying to make the point that we have history. That he knows my family—that he still has a connection to them. And me.

He isn’t aware it makes him look like the deluded ex he is.

“Are you going to see them?” he asks when I don’t respond.

I grit my teeth and grind out, “Yes.”

“Tell them I say hi.”

Not a chance.

“I’ll be sure to tell them,” Dane joins our conversation.

My eyes snap up to his. He shoots me a look that says,Go with it.

“You’re going to the ranch?” Disbelief waring with resentment drip from Aaron’s words.

I’d forgotten how much Aaron wanted to visit the ranch. When we were dating, he often mentioned that going on a trip together would be a good opportunity for him to bond with my brothers.

I gave in to his incessant begging and asked Matthew, Miles, and Mason if they’d be willing to take my boyfriend on a trip.

Matthew had laughed while the twins were less tactful with resounding, “Fuck nos.”

None of my brothers liked Aaron from the get-go. They did a decent job keeping their opinion to themselves when we were dating. I credit Mom for their self-control. I’m sure she talked to them about what to say and what not to say about my arrogant boyfriend.

The moment we broke up, though, my brothers laid all their cards on the table. TheyhatedAaron.

Miles even went so far as to say that if I was dumb enough to try to marry the guy, he planned an elaborate kidnapping scheme to save me from walking down the aisle and tying my life to the prick. Ever the loyal younger twin, Mason would have no choice but to help him implement the plan. Matthew, as a cop, would keep his hands clean. But he had some helpful tips on whatnotto do if a person wanted to hold an unwilling bride hostage until she came to her senses.

That conversation still makes me smile.

Which is the wrong thing to do when Aaron stares at me with a look of betrayal.

My temper flares.

Howdarehe look at me like that.

I owe him nothing.

“Yeah, I am.” Dane wraps an arm over my shoulder, tucking me against his body. “Right, babe?”

“Right.” I smother the anger burning in my chest. I don’t want to start a fight with Aaron. He’s not worth it.

“Don’t you have to get back to Dallas?” Aaron asks Dane. “To prep for the next game?”

---