23. Dane

23

DANE

“Sorry that was so tense back there.”

I tear my gaze off the passing city street and frown at Eli. “What are you apologizing for? You didn’t make Dad say that shit.”

We left the hospital after a long visit with Mom. We caught up on the months we hadn’t spoken and ate a fast food lunch that Morgan would certainly not approve of—a fact Eli pointed out to our mom, which made her think even more highly of my girlfriend.

Dad never came back to the room.

My younger brother sighs and runs a hand through his shaggy hair. “I know, but it’s hard, man. I feel like I made our family implode, and I don’t know how to get it back together.”

“That’s not on you. Dad is the one who needs to fix shit.”

Eli falls silent, staring out the windshield ahead. I feel our driver’s gaze on me through the rearview, but I avoid the middle-aged man’s gaze. None of the doctors or nurses who saw me today openly acknowledged my identity, but the way the driver keeps looking back at me makes me think I’ve finally been made.

The car turns onto the busy downtown street leading to the fancy hotel I booked for the night. I couldn’t charter a flight until early in the morning, so we’ll sleep here before heading back to Dallas.

I’m prepared for a night in, dreaming about what I’ll do the next time I have Morgan in my arms.

“Kylie messaged me,” my brother mentions our childhood neighbor.

Kylie and her family moved across the street when I was in seventh grade. Our families are close, and she used to babysit Eli when she and I were teenagers. I would have gotten the task, but I was usually busy with practice or traveling for games.

I haven’t spoken to Kylie in years, but there was a time when we used to be pretty close. Not romantically. There’s never been feelings like that on either of our sides.

That changed when I started dating Chelsea, and she demanded that I no longer speak to female friends. I wish I had seen that red flag and made a run for it before she got her claws into me.

Oh, well. You live, and you learn.

“I told her we’re in town,” Eli reveals, typing away on his phone. It dings, and he reads the incoming message. “She wants to know if we want to meet up for drinks. You down?”

I sigh.

I’d much rather stay back at the hotel and let my brother go out to socialize alone, but after what Eli just went through, I feel like I should keep him company.

“Sure, man.” I inject as much fake enthusiasm as I can into my voice. “I’m down.”

“The Larson brothers, as I live and breathe.” Kylie’s red curls bounce as she hurries over to meet me and Eli when she spots us step inside the dingy dive bar on the edge of town.

Kylie wraps her arms around me in a quick hug and then quickly releases me to do the same to Eli. “How are you guys?”

“Good.” Eli holds her tight. “It’s good to see you, Kylie”

“You, too.” The redhead beams. Green eyes land on me. “I can’t believe you’re not in Dallas, preparing for the game.”

Eli and I decided on the car ride over not to share details about what brought us to Minnesota. He told Kylie we were here for a family issue, and she didn’t ask anything more. Considering her parents still live across from ours, I wouldn’t be surprised if she already knows Mom is in the hospital. But in case she doesn’t, we won’t bring it up.

“Don’t worry.” Eli slaps a firm hand on my shoulder and squeezes. “Dane is more than ready for tomorrow’s game. Isn’t that right?”

I shrug off his hand and shove him in the chest.

Eli rocks back on his heels with a laugh.

“Yes, I’m ready. But enough about hockey. What’s new with you, Kylie?”

“Oh, you know.” She shrugs. “Nothing much.”

“Still working at your father’s car dealership?”

“Ugh, yes. Don’t remind me.” She grimaces. “I swore to myself I’d do something else with my business degree, but Dad roped me into being his glorified assistant.”

“So why not try something else?” Eli asks.

“I don’t know. Fear, I guess? I don’t want to risk failing and then needing to come back to my parents and ask for help. That would kill me. You know?”

“Yeah.” Eli’s smile is strained. “I do know.”

I want to tell Eli he hasn’t failed anything and that there was nothing wrong in asking me for help when he came to Dallas.

“Holy shit. Dane’s actually here.” A guy I went to school with, I think his name is Josh, appears behind Kylie, disrupting the gloomy cloud hanging over my brother’s head. “I didn’t think you’d show.”

“Well, here I am.” I hold out a hand. “Remind me of your name?”

“James. Good to see you, man.” He shakes my hand and then slides it around Kylie’s waist.

I lift a brow at the possessive display. I’m ready to intervene on Kylie’s behalf, but my friend leans into his side with a happy smile. “James and I are dating.”

I relax. “Cool.”

“For how long?” Eli asks.

“About a year.” James looks down at Kylie, his expression softening.

“That’s great.” Eli hikes a thumb in my direction. “Dane’s seeing someone, too.”

“I heard!” Kylie beams. “She’s your nutritionist, right? That’s what I read online.”

I don't look at what people say about me online. I leave that to my agent and PR team. If they stumble upon anything they think I need to know, they tell me.

I knew the press had learned about my relationship with Morgan after I took her to the gala, but I didn’t realize they’d identified her or her profession.

“She is,” Eli answers for me.

“I’m happy for you.” Kylie’s expression fills with sincerity. “Really. Things seem to be going well for you.”

“Any chance you’ll come and play for Minnesota after you win the Stanley Cup this year?” James asks, noticeably friendlier now that he knows I’m taken and not secretly after his girl. “The team could use a center with your finesse.”

“I appreciate that man, but no. I think I’ll be staying in Dallas.”

“I knew it was too good to be true.” James shakes his head, disappointed.

Eli and I share a confused look.

“What do you mean?” Eli asks.

James frowns. “There are rumors all over the news stations here. You haven’t heard of them?”

“No.” I keep my expression flat. “What rumors?”

It’s Kylie and James’s turn to share a glance.

My childhood friend shuffles her feet. “Well, there are a few, but the big one is that you want to be traded for next season.”

I growl.

Damnit, Henry.

That’s it. I’m calling Gary Ramirez the moment I get back to Dallas. There’s no doubt in my mind that my agent is responsible for the rumor. Dad confirmed he’d heard as much from his old college teammate earlier today.

I regret ever voicing my annoyance with the Ranchers to him all those weeks ago. I wish I’d never told him to be open to hearing rumblings about a potential trade.

It turns out the Ranchers were right. Starting a modified training regimen and changing my diet improved my game in ways I never anticipated.

I’d been having the season of my career before the changes, and now I’m even better. I believe the Ranchers have what it takes to win the championship. I have no plans of leaving the brotherhood we created—nor forgo the bond we’ve developed this post-season.

Not to mention, I have a life in Dallas. I have friends. I have Eli. And I have Morgan.

“Sorry to disappoint,” I say. “But I’m not looking for a trade.”

“Damn.” James’s shoulders slump. “Maybe one day?”

“Maybe,” I allow.

Eli clears his throat. “I need a drink. Dane?”

“Just water for me.” Coach would kill me if he found out I drank alcohol the night before a playoff game.

“Right.” Eli nods.

“I’ll go to the bar with you,” James offers. “I need another round. You good, babe?”

“I’m good. Thanks.” James kisses Kylie’s cheek and then walks to the aged wood bar at the back of the room with my brother.

“You up for saying hi to some of our former classmates?” she asks. I follow the direction she tips her head and see a group of people, some more familiar than others, watching us. “No worries if you’d rather not. I know you like to keep a low profile.”

The last thing I want to do is socialize with practical strangers, especially when I won’t have the buzz of alcohol to smooth any awkward pauses or monotonous ramblings.

But when I watch a few people in the group wave at Eli and see his answering smile, I decide I can put up with some awkwardness if it helps Eli rebound from the shitty situation with our Dad this morning.

“Sure.” I sling an arm over Kylie’s shoulders. “Lead the way.”