Twisted Collide: The new sports romance in the Redville Saints series
Twisted Collide: Chapter 51

Early morning sunlight filters into the room.

It’s too bright. And way too early.

What time is it anyway?

I let out a groan, and when I do, something else hits me. My head is killing me. It feels like there is a pulse in my brain.

God, how much did I drink last night?

I blink my eyes open, squinting against the light. The moment the room comes into focus, I take in my surroundings.

Where am I? This isn’t my room.

Hotel.

I’m away.

The Saints have a game today, so I stayed in a hotel.

Okay . . . I let out a breath, but as soon as I do, something else hits me . . .

This isn’t my hotel room.

I jerk up, and I instantly regret the move as the room spins, which, in turn, makes my stomach churn.

Inhale. You’re okay.

Once the sick feeling passes, I scan the room. It’s much larger than mine. It’s a suite. But whose?

Memories of the previous night rush over me.

Getting upset when Dane wasn’t paying attention to me. Drinking.

Getting upset when my father tried to talk to me. Drinking.

Drinking for no reason.

Okay, well, that explains why my head is killing me.

What else?

There must be more to last night other than the booze that apparently kept flowing.

An elevator.

Dane in the elevator.

Oh my God.

A pool.

My hands lift, and I bury my head in them.

A groan escapes. “Did I really go swimming last night?”

“Yes.”

Will the world please swallow me whole right now?

I turn toward the door as it flings open. The loud creak sounds like nails on a chalkboard, but it’s the man who’s prowling toward me that has my eyes closing in embarrassment.

“Open your eyes. It’s not that bad.”

I do and see he’s holding a food tray.

When our gazes meet, he smiles. “Morning, Hellfire. How are you feeling?”

“Like I got hit by a truck,” I mumble, pulling the covers up to my chin. “What happened?”

“I thought it was obvious? You got shit-faced.” Dane sets the tray down beside the bed on the side table.

“But why am I here?”

“It was easier to take you down the private elevator for the suites than down the normal elevator you took from your room. Less chance of getting caught.”

My cheeks feel like they are on fire. “Did I really go swimming?”

“Yes.”

“Kill me now,” I groan.

Dane chuckles. “No. I don’t think so. Also, you won’t get to eat the breakfast I ordered you.”

“You ordered me breakfast?”

“Yep. And coffee. Creamer, two sugars.”

“You remembered.”

“I think you’ll soon realize I pay attention when it comes to you.”

If it were possible for my heart to beat out of my chest and explode, it would. Either that or I’d swoon until I melt.

After taking a seat beside me on the bed, he reaches over to grab the cup of coffee and passes it to me. I take a sip. “So good.”

Once I’ve taken a few more sips, I place the mug down and look over the tray. A breakfast sandwich. I could kiss this man. I don’t deserve his kindness after being such an ass last night.

“I really am sorry, Dane. Last night—I shouldn’t have gotten that drunk.”

“Why did you? What happened?”

I sigh, and the movement makes a small piece of hair fall over my face.

Dane reaches out and tucks it behind my ear.

“Josephine,” Dane says gently, “you can talk to me.”

I smile weakly. “I don’t even know where to start.”

“Sometimes, I replace the beginning is the best place.”

“It’s a long story.”

“I have time.”

I shake my head. “No, actually, you have a game.”

“It’s six o’clock.”

“Good point.” After a few more bites, since I’ll need my energy, I decide it’s time to tell him.

I take a deep breath, looking down at my fingers currently twirling the sheet in my hand.

“I—last night, you were ignoring me—and when I tried to touch you—”

“I didn’t mean to. I was—”

“Stop. You were right. You knew my father was in the bathroom, I understand, but then I started thinking about my father, and how much I don’t know about him and how he’s your family, and I just lost it.”

He nibbles on his lower lip, most likely wondering if what he wants to say will upset me.

“There’s a lot you don’t know—and more that I don’t know. The thing is, I only met my father the day after I met you. The first night,” I clarify.

“I don’t understand.”

“My whole life, I never had a father. And then, one day, my mom shipped me off. She was done. The thing is, it’s always been us. She’s worked her ass off. Single mom. Low-paying job.” I lift my hand to my head. “She’s done everything for me, and I just wasn’t doing what I needed to do, so she got fed up.” And rightfully so. I see that now. I was a mess. “The same day she told me I was leaving, she told me about my father.”

“I can’t imagine that Robert would know about you and not want to be in your life.”

“That’s the thing. I stormed out and then left the next day. I drove to meet him. I was supposed to meet him at the party, but I chickened out. And you know the rest—”

He nods. “And then you came to work for him.”

“Yep. I refused to talk to him. I don’t know why. I still refuse. But that day in the office, I found the paternity test. The date on it. I don’t think he knew about me either.”

“There’s only one way to replace out.”

“I know. But I’m not ready.”

“I understand that. I can’t begin to understand what you’re going through, but I do know what it’s like to have no parents.”

“All you have is Molly.”

“Yeah.”

“You must think I’m an asshole for not wanting to talk to him.”

“I don’t, Hellfire. I’d never judge for that. Relationships are unique. It’s not my place to judge.”

We stare at each other for a minute, and then I lean forward, placing a kiss on his lips.

“Thank you.”