24. Morgan

24

MORGAN

“Caldwell! Wait up.”

I stiffen but stop walking, turning slightly to watch Aaron jog to catch up to me. Behind him, I see a young woman staring after him, looking like she’s about to be sick. She looks vaguely familiar, but I can’t place her.

My ex blocks her from sight when he stops right in front of me. He wears a stupid grin, and I already know I won’t like this conversation.

I want to tell him to get lost, but we’re standing in the wide hallway in the training facility, close to the weight room. Players, coaches, and other Ranchers staff are all around, preparing for tonight’s game. Dismissing him would cause a scene.

So, I steel my nerves and say, “Yes, Burns?”

He lifts a thick brow at my use of his last name, but he doesn’t comment. I hate when he calls me by my last name. It feels like he’s trying to make us seem buddy-buddy. Like there isn’t bad blood between us.

“I wanted to get your opinion on Lehman’s nutrition plan.”

Sure, you do.

“Cam already has a nutritionist assigned to him,” I point out.

“Yes, but I’m worried about his endurance. Carolina is an aggressive team, and their on-goal shots were at another level in the last game. Do you have any advice on what he can eat before the game to ensure his mental clarity and fast twitch muscular response lasts throughout the game?”

On the surface, it’s a decent question. It sounds professional. But I’m not fooled.

Aaron never shied away from criticizing my chosen career field when we were together. He didn’t like how much time I spent studying and not hanging out with him. He liked to tell me I’d never make decent money as a sports dietician and that I should do something else.

He’s right. Most dieticians don’t get rich off the job, but I will live comfortably. I’ve officially decided to move into a nicer apartment when the season ends. Preferably somewhere with a doorman.

Maybe I’ll go to Midtown to be closer to Carlee. That could be fun.

“Hello?” My eyes refocus on Aaron, and I take in his scowl. “Did you hear me?”

I clear my throat. “I recommend asking his nutritionist.”

If there’s the slightest chance this is a legitimate question, I don’t want to step on a colleague’s toes by offering advice for the player they’re assigned to.

But Aaron doesn’t care about professional niceties.

“Oh, I thought you’d have plenty of time on your hands to help out.” His lips curl with ill intent. “Seeing as you and Larson are finished.”

He’s fishing for information, but I won’t give him anything.

“Sorry, but I can’t,” I say loudly so others around me are more likely to hear. “I’m actually on my way to meet Dane to discuss his pre-game meal.”

I move to step around Aaron, but he steps in my path.

Two young men pushing equipment carts observe the movement. I meet their assessing stares before focusing my attention back on Aaron.

“Excuse me, Mr. Burns.”

“Why are you lying?”

I lift a brow. “What makes you think I’m lying?”

“I saw the pictures.” He snorts. “Everyone has. It’s obvious Dane was cheating on you when he went back to Minnesota.”

The words sting. Not because I think they’re true but because I hate to think of others putting their nose in my business. I understand that’s part of dating a star athlete, but it’s not something I prepared myself to handle.

I haven’t spoken to Dane since he returned. His flight arrived early this morning, and I learned from Eli that he crashed for a couple of hours to rest before he needed to report for today’s game.

It’s three o’clock now. Dane’s been in the facility since noon, but we haven’t seen each other. He texted me to let me know he got in safely, but nothing since.

I’m not sure he knows the pictures of him and his brother with their group of friends have been shared online. He’s not big into social media. I bet he will be grumpy when he realizes they’re out there.

While my gut reaction at seeing a beautiful woman leaning into my boyfriend was not fun, I quickly talked myself out of feeling jealous with Carlee and Valerie’s help. It’s clear the Dane and the woman knew each other, but there was nothing overtly romantic about their pose.

Sure, Dane had his arm around her, but it reminded me of how guys pose with their buddies. And upon closer inspection, I saw the other guy standing close behind the redhead with a hand resting on her waist. It looked like a boyfriend maneuver.

But even if that guy weren’t there, I’d like to think I wouldn’t let a picture make me so angry or jealous that I’d do something stupid like fight with Dane about it. He’s a grown man. And though it might seem silly, given how I haven’t known him for long, I trust Dane.

How he looks at me and shows me he cares makes me believe in our relationship. I don’t think he’d cheat on me. He doesn’t strike me as that sort of guy.

And after my experience with the hot-headed man currently blocking my path, I’d like to think I’m good at picking up that characteristic these days.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I reply calmly, rolling my shoulders to prepare for whatever this conversation will turn into. “Now, please let me pass. I have work to do.”

Aaron sneers. “Oh, I get it. When I cheat on you, it’s the end. But if I were a star hockey player, you wouldn’t care who sucked my dick. You would’ve given me a second chance without—Hey!”

The next moments happen so quickly that it takes my brain an embarrassingly long time to understand what I’m seeing.

A broad form in a tight white t-shirt steps in front of me. A hand grabs a fistful of Aaron’s shirt and shoves him against the wall.

“What the fuck did you just say?” Dane seethes, hovering threateningly in front of my antagonizing ex.

Aaron’s terrified expression would be amusing in any other situation, but not with an audience. And not at the risk of Dane getting in trouble.

“Dane.” I touch his back. “It’s fine.”

“The hell it is,” he snaps.

Aaron’s eyes widen when Dane leans even closer. “Who the fuck do you think you are to talk to anyone the way you talk to Morgan?”

Aaron sputters, “I-I knew her before you.”

Dane gives his shirt a shake. “Do you think that gives you a right to harass her?”

Aaron’s hands grab Dane’s wrist. He tries but fails to dislodge Dane’s grip. “It’s not harassment. She and I have a history. I’ll always be in her life.”

My mouth falls open.

He must be joking.

Underneath my fingers, I feel Dane’s body vibrate with anger. “Your history doesn’t mean shit. Morgan and I are together.”

“For now,” Aaron snaps back, anger giving him a burst of idiotic bravery. “But I’ll be here when she realizes you’re nothing but a playboy prick who will replace her with a newer model the moment you’re bored.”

“Don’t talk to her again,” Dane roars, lifting Aaron’s shirt so my ex’s toes barely scrape the floor. “Or I swear I will put you through a goddamn wall.”

Silence follows Dane’s outburst.

I look around and cringe when I see that it’s not because everyone decided to miraculously clear the hall. It's more like everyone is speechless or too nervous even to breathe.

I’ve never seen Dane so angry. He’s a formidable presence even when he’s smiling. With a scowl and vibrating with rage, he’s nothing short of terrifying.

“Dane.” I lick my dry lips and press my palm more firmly against his back. “Let him go.”

“I will as soon as he agrees to leave you alone.”

Aaron scowls, acting far too reckless for someone who’s pinned against a freaking wall. “We work together.”

“No, you don’t.” Dane tightens his grip. “You work for the Ranchers, but you don’t work together. Stop seeking her out. Stop harassing her. If you don’t, there will be trouble. Got it?”

Dane’s behavior should be a turn-off. I’ve never been into the whole macho, alpha male thing. But while I’m mortified to be caught in this situation, it is undeniably sexy to have Dane so worked up on my behalf. He’s stepped up to help me deal with Aaron more than once, and I’ll always be thankful for it.

But Dane needs to think about himself, too. He can’t let his anger get the best of him. He can’t afford to do anything that could get him in trouble with the Ranchers.

I move to stand at Dane’s side, forcing him to look at me. We make eye contact, and his fierce scowl softens.

“He’s not worth it,” I murmur, willing him to realize how much I mean those words.

“But you are,” he counters.

My heart flips. I crack a smile.

“Come on.” I jerk my head to the side. “Let’s go talk somewhere private. I want to hear about your trip.”

Dane’s nostrils flare as his eyes dart back to Aaron. With a scoff, he shoves him to the side and dismissively turns his back to my ex.

I exhale a sigh of relief and then slip my hand into Dane’s, gently tugging him in the opposite direction of the locker room. I’m not sure where I’m going, but I know we need to get far away from the athletic trainer until tensions cool.

Unfortunately, Aaron doesn’t know when to quit.

“I never thought Dane Larson would let himself be pussy whipped. Especially by pussy that’s mediocre at best.”

Gasps and exclamations of surprise echo through the hall.

My face floods with mortification and embarrassment.

Before I can stop him, Dane whirls back around. He pulls his fist back and sends it flying forward, striking Aaron in the jaw.

The trainer’s head snaps to the side, and he falls to the floor.

Then, chaos erupts in the Ranchers facility.