Page 240 of Vegas Heat

This is the guy who lured me to Vegas with a ninety-million-dollar payday, and I’ve been betraying him for six months. How the hell do Ithinkhe’s going to react to that?

How wouldIreact to that?

Not well, but I’d like to think we’re all adults here. He’ll come around eventually…right?

It’s not like he’s going to make trouble for me on the field after convincing me to come play for him. He’s a professional first, and he wants the Heat to win. Whatever happens, it won’t affect our professional relationship.

It’s another lie I tell myself as I go all in against Nick when I’m holding shit in my hands.

I lose a hefty sum of money at the table since we’re gambling high stakes tonight all because my mind is wandering to these scenarios where I tell myself everything is going to be fine.

I even lie to myself when I text with Ben Olson the next day. His season is over, and he and Kaylee are in Montana with their girls for the next month.

Ben:You doing okay in Vegas without us there?

Me:Did your wife put you up to texting me?

Ben:Yes.

I laugh at his honesty.

Ben:I mean no. I’m genuinely checking up on you.

Me:Did she tell you to say that, too?

Ben:Yes.

Me:I’m fine. Trying to figure out the best time to tell her dad.

Ben:I don’t know if there’s ever a GOOD time for that convo. Rip off the bandage, man.

He makes a good point. There won’t ever be a good time for it, and the sooner we get it over with now that we’ve decided to tell him, the better.

Too bad I don’t realize I should have stuck with the lies until it’s far, far too late.

CHAPTER 21: GABBY

I decide to swing by Mia’s apartment after work, and when she answers, she looks less than delighted to see me. She barely grunts out a hello, but she opens the door a little wider anyway. Dylan isn’t sprawled on the couch, so this feels like a good time to talk.

“Is everything okay?” I ask.

She folds her arms over her chest. “Not really.”

“What’s wrong? Are you mad at me?”

“You mean aside from ignoring my calls and texts for weeks in favor of your boyfriend?” she demands.

I’m still standing in the doorway as she hurls that particular accusation at me. “Are you serious right now?”

She raises both brows pointedly.

I blow out a breath. “Mia, you’ve been so wrapped up in Dylan that you haven’t had time for me, either.”

“Don’t you dare bring up Dylan,” she hisses.

“Why can’t I talk about Dylan?”

She purses her lips for a beat before she plows forward with it. “What you’re doing to him, toallthe interns…it’s so, so unfair.”