Twisted Collide: The new sports romance in the Redville Saints series
Twisted Collide: Chapter 74

Of all the places for Dane to surprise me with as an outing, this wasn’t what I expected.

But as I stand at the entrance of the vineyard, I can’t help but smile.

I survey the little piece of paper in my hand, and I have to hand it to him. This is next-level grovel.

Dane Sinclair has created a scavenger hunt for me, and I love it.

In the early morning light, this venue looks nothing like it did that day. It’s so lush with a sweeping view of the hotel, banquet hall, and vineyard.

It’s absolutely beautiful.

Placing my hand on my hip, I look toward the location of the first clue.

Head to the scene where men cheer and scream, where Cups are on display, and you said no way.

A very pleased-looking Dane stands beside me, but of course won’t help me. That would ruin all the fun. His words, not mine.

“Well?” He places his hands in his pockets, his eyes dancing with delight. He’s really enjoying himself. Good, because he deserves it. He has spent every opportunity to be with me this week. He’s bent over backward to make sure I’m okay.

“Has anyone ever told you that you’re so annoying?” I stick my tongue out.

Dane chuckles while he inclines his head down. “Yep. You. But you love me for it.”

I arch a brow. “Is that so?”

“Yep. And you know what?”

“No. But something tells me you’re going to tell me,” I chide.

“I love you.” He’s said it every day since the day in the hospital, and I love it every time I hear it. The words have slowly wound their way around my heart, filling me with hope.

Despite my heart knowing the answer, I push it off. Not ready yet. We still need to discuss some things before I make that commitment. Once I say the words, I’ll give him my full heart to love and protect. He’s still holding something from me, and while that’s okay for now, since I need to concentrate on healing, he’ll have to trust me enough one day. That’s the only way we can move forward, but for now I’ll enjoy this time together.

“Back to the clue,” I say, needing not to think too much about the other stuff. Keeping it light until I’m better is my current motto.

“Any ideas?”

“There are two choices. One is the bar. The other is the banquet hall where I never went. My guess is the latter since the word Cup was specifically used, and since the Cup was there that night, I’m sure it is.”

“Then lead the way.” Dane extends his arm in the direction of the banquet hall.

As we walk down the gravel path, it feels like just yesterday when I chose not to go in this direction.

A fork in the road.

A fork? Or a trident?

A giggle escapes my mouth.

“What?” Dane asks from beside me.

I shake my head. “Nothing.”

After a few more steps, we’re standing outside the large mahogany doors. Dane pulls one open, and I step inside.

Looking around, I spot where the clue would be right away. He’s not even trying to hide it, which makes this whole thing even funnier. On a large table in the middle of the room is a large and very fake replica of the Cup.

By the time I make it over and pull the next clue off it, my belly hurts from my laughter.

Where rendezvous start and guests arrive. A tired heart, a key they will replace.

“Off to the hotel.” I hustle toward the exit and in the direction I need to go. Dane follows, letting me lead the way but staying close enough in case I need him.

This man is likely to make me a puddle on the ground before the day is out.

“Okay, spill. How did you make these clues . . . ? They don’t exactly sound like you.”

“I might have had help?”

“Molly. You really wouldn’t be able to survive without her.”

“I would if . . .” His unsaid words don’t need to be said because the meaning is clear as day. He’d be okay if he had me.

Yep. Puddle, here I come.

By the time we arrive at the hotel, it’s obvious that all the staff are in on today’s events, because as I step up to the reception desk, a woman hands me a large iron key and a clue is attached.

You can replace me at the fork in the road.

I lift the clue in the air. “Did you even try with that one, Dane?”

“Um, yeah, Molly had to get off the phone, so no, Hellfire, I didn’t.”

I throw my head back at his words. “To the vineyard we go.”

This time, when we walk, we’re side by side, and every time I swing my arms, my fingers skim his. The touch of his skin makes my whole body hyperaware that in only a few more steps, we will be where it all changed. Where an innocent drink with a stranger became so much more.

Finally, we get to the path that leads to the vines. On the floor is an arrangement of tiny pebbles. The same ones we looked at that night.

“Funny, in the light of the day, it doesn’t look like a fork or a trident.”

“Are you sure?” Dane reaches out and grabs something sitting right next to the stones.

How did I not see that?

I narrow my gaze, but he’s picked it up so fast that I didn’t see what it was. That is until he dangles it from his finger.

My bracelet.

But this time, two charms are hanging from it.

Dane holds it out, and I take it in my hand, lifting it to look at what he added.

It’s a small disc, and it appears that there are tiny letters or maybe symbols etched into the metal.

“What does it say?”

He shakes his head. “When the time is right, I’ll tell you.”