Page 54 of A Whole New Trick

His nostrils flare. “We played hockey together.”

“In college?”

He nods.

We weave through the tables and head to the dark oak bar at the back of the ballroom. Bottles of wine were placed on the tableduring dinner, but those who prefer spirits could purchase them from the bar. I see several Ranchers players standing nearby with glasses of whiskey.

“Who is Trey’s dad?” I recall Dane’s reaction when Chelsea mentioned the man.

“The owner of the Glacier Kings.”

Whoa.

I try to lead us toward Dane’s teammates, hoping their company will help rid Dane of the foul mood he is in after seeing the couple. But Dane pivots and guides me to the double doors leading to the hotel’s lobby.

“Where are we going?”

“I need air.”

I bite my cheek. I should give Dane time to process whatever it is that’s upsetting him, but my curiosity gets the best of me. “How do you know Chelsea?”

The hand holding mine flexes. Dread knots my stomach. “We dated.”

Pieces of the puzzle start to fit together. “And now she’s engaged to Trey?”

“Yes.”

“And that… bothers you?” How long ago, exactly, did Chelsea and Dane date?

He snorts. “No. They deserve each other.”

My forehead furrows. “Then why are you so upset?”

Dane works his jaw from side to side. “Chelsea was my college sweetheart. I planned to propose to her senior year.”

I know Dane had a life before me. Hell, we aren’t even officially dating. Hearing he seriously dated someone to the point of considering marriage shouldn’t bother me. But it does—a lot.

My heels click against the lobby’s marble floor. Dane leads me to the hotel exit. The photographers for the event left a while ago, so we’ll have privacy outside.

I murmur a quiet thanks to the doorman holding the gold-framed door. Dane and I walk outside and down the sidewalk to our right. He doesn’t stop walking until we round the corner. When we’re no longer in view of the hotel, his shoulders sag with relief.

“What’s going on, Dane? I’ve never seen you so… upset.” The center’s personality is usually lighthearted and easygoing. The most serious I ever see him is during a game, practice, or training.

Dane huffs an unamused laugh. “Then you don’t know me well enough, Morgan.”

I try not to let the words sting.

I stay quiet, giving him time to figure out what, if anything, he wants to say next.

Seconds later, Dane’s nostrils flare with a heavy exhale. “Chelsea cheated on me with Trey. When I found out, she broke up with me and immediately started dating him.”

My jaw drops. “Are you serious?”

“Deadly.” The muscles in his cheek twitch. “I was pissed.”

And incredibly hurt, I imagine.

“But Chelsea acted so friendly… I can’t believe she came over to speak to you.” I do the math and guess that Dane and Chelsea broke up nearly ten years ago. That’s a long time, but I still wouldn’t have the nerve to approach an ex I cheated on the way Chelsea had.

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