Page 79 of Vegas Heat

“Sabotaging whatever it is before it even begins. You were always like that. It’s why you quit playing after the elbow injury. But when you said so proudly that you were off the market yesterday, I saw a new fire in you. One I hadn’t seen before, especially not with that ex of yours.”

I glance over at him, not sure what to say. I felt the fire he’s talking about, and I think he might be right about sabotagingmyself. I end things before they get too complicated. The one time I didn’t, I got cheated on.

But his words in the meeting earlier only confirm my suspicions. He trusts me to be a mentor to his daughter. He sees me in an authoritative position over her. What he doesnotsee is me fucking her.

Could I tell him? Could I break it to him gently?

Could Gabby and I find a way to be together?

“You know, shortly after you broke up with her, she called me,” he says quietly.

My brows dip. “Stacy did?”

He nods. “She knew we were old friends from your playing days. This was before I met Joanie, and I was single. Playing around, you know how it is. Anyway, she asked if I wanted to grab a drink, and I declined. You just don’t do that to a friend, you know? You don’t fuck around with exes or family. And I know we’re in different positions now with you playing and me coaching, and that comes first in season always. But out of season, I always saw you as a friend, and I’m glad you’re here and we’re on the same team for once. I have a good feeling about teaming up with someone I trust the way I trust you, and I think we’re going to own this fucking town.”

Yep. That’s a big fat negative on going for the truth.

It’s only been a few hours. Time will heal whatever this is.

I hope.

CHAPTER 9: GABBY

Cooper must’ve stayed at the stadium, or maybe he went out afterward. I guess it’s not my right to know anymore. I texted Mia that I needed to get out, so she invited me over for dinner.

I’m not very hungry, though.

And Dylan’s here, which means Mia is distracted and trying to impress him, and I’d rather be curled up in my bed by myself.

“Ugh!” I grumble as I collapse on her couch after she orders the food.

“So let me get this straight,” Dylan says. “You were banging Cooper Noah and you didn’t know your dad invited him to play for the Heat?”

I blow out a breath. “He knows?” I whine to Mia.

She shrugs. “We can trust him.”

Right. Noted. Don’t tell Mia secrets anymore unless I want Dylan to know them.

“Fine. Yes, that’s the gist of it. He said he can’t be with me knowing who my dad is, so it’s over.”

“And now he’s living with you,” Dylan says.

“We literally share a wall,” I confirm.

He makes a low whistle noise. “That’s some messed up shit.”

“Thanks for the reminder,” I mutter.

“How was the stadium?” Mia asks brightly. Too brightly. She’s trying to change the subject, trying to take my mind off Cooper, but nothing on God’s green Earth has the actual ability to do that.

“Fine. My dad assigned me an internship working with Cooper, naturally. He trusts Coop to mentor me,” I say, throwing air quotes around the end of my sentence.

Mia wrinkles her nose, and Dylan’s brows knit together.

“Wait a minute. Your dadassigned you an internship?” he asks.

“Yeah. Why?”

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