Page 55 of A Whole New Trick

Dane snorts. “Chelsea is only friendly when it suits her.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means Chelsea has realized she hitched her wagon to an asshole who lives off his daddy’s money and chooses to cheat on her whenever it’s convenient for him.” Dane stares downthe street, his eyes flickering between anger and frustration. “She tried to get back together after I went pro. She knew I’d be drafted but thought being with a team owner’s son would guarantee her future.”

He shrugs. “In a way, she did me a favor by cheating on me. I had no idea what a gold-digging monster she was.”

Wow.

“That’s… a lot.”

“Yeah.” He shakes his head. “It shouldn’t care, but I still get so pissed seeing them together.”

“I get it.”

Dane turns to me. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” I shove down the pain from my own experience with a cheating partner when it tries to bubble to the surface.

“Anyone who cheats on you is an idiot,” Dane declares with such vehemence I can only laugh. Otherwise, I might cry at how sincere he sounds.

“Thanks. The same goes for you, Dane.”

He snorts and looks away again. His shoulders hunch forward. “Hardly.”

What could make Dane think he deserved to be cheated on? Not even the worst romantic partners deserve that sort of betrayal. Ideally, people should end the relationship before allowing themselves to become the villains in the couple’s story. But I understand the world isn’t ideal.

“Let’s go back inside.” I rub my arms. “It’s cold out here.”

“You go ahead. I need a minute.”

I should do what he says. Dane is a big boy. If he says he needs a second to handle his emotions, I should give it to him.

But I can’t.

I can’t leave the typically enigmatic and good-natured man out here, angry, without at least attempting to help soothe some of his pain.

“I know what it’s like to be damaged by an ex.”

His head whips back to me. “You aren’t damaged.”

“Then you don’t know me well enough,” I repeat his earlier words with a grin.

He huffs.

“Listen, Dane.” I clear my throat, and my tone turns serious. “I know this thing between us isn’t exactly defined. We’re up in the air. And that’s okay. We can hit pause before?—”

“What are you talking about?” Dane straightens. “That’s the last thing I want.”

I give him a half smile. “I know, but maybe now is not the right time?—.”

“Morgan,” Dane growls. “Do us both a favor and shut up.”

Indignation ripples through me. I open my mouth to protest the rude command, but then Dane’s strong hands land on my waist and yank me into his body.

I gasp just before his lips find mine in a fierce, possessive kiss. The world around us burst into a symphony of color, and my entire body lights up with fireworks.

18

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