12. Dane

12

DANE

“I crossed a line. I’m sorry.”

I follow Morgan through the hotel lobby, walking toward the back parking lot, where a car waits to take her to her uncle’s ranch. She’s been giving me the silent treatment since I told her ex to stay away from her.

The prick is lucky the team came out of the arena and interrupted our conversation. I saw his expression. He knows I’m not joking about him staying away from Morgan, but he doesn’t plan to listen.

I’d bet money he’s never had someone put him in his place who could beat his ass. He strikes me as the sort who only pushes boundaries with those he views as weaker than him, like his girlfriend.

Ex-girlfriend.

I’d be happy to put the prick in his place, but as much as Morgan dislikes him, I don’t think she’d forgive me if I actually punched her ex. Not with the way she’s avoided talking to me since I threatened the guy.

Morgan glances over her shoulder and shakes her head once. “Not here.”

I bite my lip and nod. There’s nothing else I can do.

We walk down a long hallway, passing a mediocre gym and two-lane lap pool, before reaching the exit at the back of the building.

We follow the signs to where rideshares pick up hotel guests, away from the busy street at the front of the hotel. Even if Morgan wanted to be picked up there, the team bus currently dominates the small semi-circle drive as staff unloads equipment.

Morgan taps on her phone, likely telling the driver she’s at the pick-up spot, before tucking her phone under her arms. “What were you saying?”

“I’m sorry.”

She frowns. “For what?”

“For threatening your ex…” I thought she was pissed, but her current expression makes me doubt myself.

“I didn’t care about that.”

“Then why have you been ignoring me?”

“Have I?” Her forehead furrows. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to ignore you. I just…” She shakes her head. “I’m just so mad at myself for letting Aaron get to me. Again. Seriously, I don’t know what his problem is. We’ve been over for years. He should be over it by now.”

I know what his problem is.

Aaron isn’t over Morgan. Not because he has genuine feelings for her but because he views her as a possession that he’s lost. He’s upset that he no longer has any control over her. He tries to cut Morgan down at every encounter because he has the cruel, idiotic hope that if she stops valuing herself, maybe she’ll come back and let him exert control over her once more.

I’ve only known Morgan for a short time, but I’m confident she won’t allow herself to fall victim to his schemes. And if she tries, I’ll be right here to tell her she’s making a mistake. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure she never goes back to that asshole. Morgan is one of a kind. She deserves someone worthy of her—someone who sees her for who she is and doesn’t want to change a damn thing.

Someone like me.

I’ve avoided admitting my feelings to myself for weeks now. I told myself I needed to keep things professional between us and that I should respect Morgan’s choice regarding us.

But every interaction with the spirited brunette leaves me wanting more. I want to know everything about her, including what makes her laugh and her dreams. I want to know what makes her happy and listen to her childhood stories. I’m so fucking far gone for Morgan Caldwell that it’s pathetic.

Especially considering she wants nothing to do with me—not romantically, at least.

I know our fake relationship has endeared me to Morgan. She often thanks me for what I’m doing. She has no idea that, other than playing hockey, there’s nothing else I want to do than spend time with her. It’s quickly become my favorite part of every day.

I refuse to think about what I will do when this arrangement eventually ends.

“Dane? Are you listening to me?”

I blink. Morgan stares at me with narrowed eyes.

I clear my throat and shove down the pain caused by the thought of our ruse ending. I tell myself Morgan will still be my nutritionist—she’ll still be in my life.

Not in the way you want her to be.

“Let me come to the ranch.”

She stiffens. “What?”

I swallow the nerves trying to tell me to abandon this request. If all I have is this time with Morgan, I want to make the most of it. This decision might cause more pain in the long run, but I’m not thinking about the future. I only care about the present.

“Let me come to your uncle’s ranch with you.”

Headlights shine over us as a car turns into the pickup lot and slowly creeps toward us.

Morgan glances at the vehicle and then at her phone, confirming the make and model before lifting her hand in greeting.

Then, she looks up at me again. “You want to come to my uncle’s house?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

Encouraged that she hasn’t immediately denied my request, I take a breath and say, “Because the rest of the team is going to get drunk at the hotel bar, and I’m not in the mood.”

“But you’re in the mood to meet my brothers?”

Shit. I forgot her brothers were there.

Do I want to meet her brothers?

Hell, yes, I do.

Morgan talks about her three older brothers with Eli all the time. It’s obvious she loves them. They’re a big part of her life. And even though it’s dumb of me, I can’t help but want to know more about Morgan. I want her to tell me stories about how her brothers forced her to be the Pink Power Ranger for three Halloweens because their Mom insisted they have family-themed costumes. At the same time, her brothers alternated who was the Green, Red, and Blue Power Rangers each year.

“But I don’t want to spend the evening alone in my hotel room, either,” I say when I see the budding objection forming on her lips.

Her lips twist as she considers my request.

I keep my hands hanging loosely at my side and my posture relaxed. I don’t want her to know how badly I want her to say yes. If she does, she’ll likely say no to maintain appropriate distance between us. It would be the wise decision.

“Okay.”

My brows lift. “Okay?”

“Yeah.” She cracks a smile. “But I’ve got to warn you, my brothers can be intense. Especially towards guys that I… that I’m dating.”

My lips lift as I take in her pink cheeks.

“Do they know about me?”

“Yes. Well…” She gnaws on her bottom lip. “They know we’re dating. They don’t know it’s fake.”

Interesting.

“Do they know you’re my nutritionist?”

“Yes.”

“What do they think about you dating your nutritionist.”

Her blush deepens. “They… uh… they have opinions about it.”

As any protective big brother would.

“Well, don’t worry, I’ll do my best to put their concerns to rest.”

“I’m more concerned about you.” She huffs a weak laugh. “My brothers aren’t likely to be nice if they don’t like you.”

“Aw, Morgan. I didn’t know you cared about my feelings so much.” I hold a hand over my heart.

She snorts. “Whatever. It’s your funeral.”

The approaching car stops alongside the curb next to us. I walk over and open the back door. With a wink, I say, “If it’s my funeral, at least I’ll go out with you at my side.”

“You’re an idiot,” she mutters as she slides into the sedan.

I’m grinning like an idiot, but I don’t care.

Because I’m pretty sure Morgan Caldwell might like me, and that makes me the happiest son of a bitch on the planet.