Page 53 of A Whole New Trick

“Itisyou.” The beautiful stranger stops behind Dane’s chair and smiles warmly, oblivious to the “back off” vibes rolling off the hockey player. “Hi, Dane!”

“Chelsea,” Dane grits through clenched teeth. He rises from his chair and faces her.

“How are you, Danie? It’s been years.” She waves a hand over his body. A massive engagement ring gleams under the chandelier’s light. “You look fantastic.”

Dane doesn’t bother with pleasantries. “Where’s Trey?”

Who’s Trey?

The blonde’s smile falters. “Oh. He’s around here somewhere. Probably with his dad.”

It seems impossible, but Dane’s body grows even more rigid.

Before I can wonder why, Chelsea shifts her attention to me. “Hi. I’m Chelsea.”

I stand and shake her manicured hand. “Hello. I’m Morgan.”

“I know.” She smiles brightly.

“You do?”

“Yeah. Well, I mean, I heard Dane had a girlfriend.” She looks between us. “And I saw pictures of you from the most recent playoff game.”

She’s talking about the photo the Ranchers’ media team posted of the stands where players’ families were seated in New Mexico. I’m confident I wasn’t tagged in the post. Chelsea would’ve had to snoop to figure out who I was.

“Oh,” I say, looking at Dane. His features are hard as stone. I don’t know what to make of it or how to make the tension around him go away. Clearly, he doesn’t want to talk to Chelsea. I don’t understand why she’s not taking the hint.

“There you are, babe.” A man with slick black hair sidles up to Chelsea and wraps a possessive hand around her waist as his dark eyes focus on Dane. “Larson. Nice to see you.”

Dane says nothing. But the tension I feel around him thickens to a stifling level.

Chelsea clears her throat. “Trey. This is Dane’s girlfriend, Morgan.”

Trey’s attention shifts to me. I fight the urge to scowl when his dark eyes trail over me, lingering for far too long to be polite on my breasts and hips. I want to take a hot shower to rid myself of the slimy sensation his gaze leaves behind.

“Nice to meet you, Morgan.”

An angry growl vibrates from Dane’s chest. “Watch yourself, Trey.”

The sleazy guy smirks at Dane. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Dane’s hands curl into fists.

I have no idea what’s going on right now, but I follow my gut instinct to get Dane as far away from his couple as possible.

“Excuse us.” I step forward, putting myself between Dane and Trey to thwart the promise of violence simmering between the two. “I see someone we need to say hello to.” I take Dane’s clenched hand and relax when he laces his fingers with mine.

I paste on a fake smile. “Nice to meet you, Chelsea.” I swallow bile before adding, “You, too, Trey.”

“The pleasure was all ours,” Trey replies, licking his lips.

Another growl rumbles in Dane’s chest.

I tug his hand and draw him away from the antagonizing stranger.

I wait until we’re several tables away before I look back over my shoulder. Chelsea stares at Dane’s retreating figure with a sad expression while Trey smirks. I’m not a violent person, but I itch to smack it off his face.

I turn around and glance up at Dane. Cautiously, I ask, “How do you know Trey?”

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