Page 97 of A Whole New Trick

“The fucking Ranchers are what’s wrong.” Dane steps inside.

I close the door behind him, my guard up. “You guys just won the conference title. What happened?”

I note Dane doesn’t have an overnight bag with him. It’s past one. Surely, he plans to stay the night?

Dane exhales and walks into my living room, saying over his shoulder, “The owner dropped by the locker room to see me after the game.”

I follow him warily. “About the trade?”

“Yes.”

“What happened?” I stop at the edge of the plush carpet covering the hardwood floor and watch Dane fall on my couch and cradle his head in his hands. His broad back rises and falls with heavy breaths.

“Dane?” I slowly move to sit next to him and rest my hand lightly on his back. “Talk to me. What’s going on?”

“Gianni told me that if I want to stay on the team, either you have to quit your job, or we have to break up.”

Part of me anticipated something like this was bound to happen after the Aaron debacle, but I still suck in a sharp breath. “And what did you say?”

Dane’s head lifts. His eyes swirl with indignation and anger. “I told him to go fuck himself.”

My jaw drops. “Tell me you didn’t!”

“I did, and I’d do it again.”

“Dane.” I shake my head. “He’s the owner. You can’t go around saying stuff like that to him.”

“He’s just a man, Morgan. And he’s trying to blackmail me to end our relationship so I can continue to play on his team. It’s bullshit, and I won’t stand for it.”

“You’re right,” I agree softly. “It is bullshit. But you still shouldn’t insult him. Not when he’s in control of your career.”

“He doesn’t control shit.”

I bite the inside of my cheek to keep from pointing out that as much as he might wish otherwise, Vincent Gianni is, in fact, in control.

“I’m not going to be traded,” Dane states like it’s a matter of fact. He stares at the paused screen on my TV, but I’m sure he’s not really seeing the synopsis of the rom-com I was enjoying before he arrived.

I see where this conversation is going. No wonder Dane didn’t bring an overnight bag. A wave of loss crashes over me, followed swiftly by acceptance.

I take a deep breath and order myself to not cry, no matter what happens. “It’s okay, Dane. I understand.”

His forehead creases as he turns to me. “Huh?”

I swallow. “I understand this situation isn’t easy, and I’m sorry you’re in it because of me.”

“What are you talking about? You didn’t do anything.”

“No?” I smile sadly. “First, I was a nutritionist you didn’t want to work with. Then, the drama with Aaron meant you were suspended. Trade talks didn’t start until that happened.”

“No, Morgan.” Dane pushes off the couch and begins to pace the length of my tiny living room. “Everything that’s happened is because of me and my decisions.”

I sigh. “Still, you can’t deny I played a role. I understand if you want to take one of Vincent’s options to make sure you can stay on the Ranchers.”

Dane grinds to a halt and pivots to face me. “What?”

I cringe but carry on, pushing past the hurt that makes my following words so difficult to say, “I’d rather not quit. It took me a long time to find a nutritionist job. But I promise I will do everything to keep things professional between us?—”

“Stop, Morgan,” he snaps. “We are not breaking up.”

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