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Maybe going off on him made me a hypocrite, but I needed to keep the truth under lock and key. It was the only way.

The server brought our food and from that point on, we kept things light, laughing—ribbing Winstead, discussing plays. It was a good day.

As the group headed out, Jaycee stopped Bree and me. “I’d love to plan a playdate for the boys if that’s something you’re interested in.”

Bree looked at me, like she expected me to give her permission, but this was all her. Jaycee was a good woman who recognized another good woman. Even after we ended things, it’d be great for Bree to have a friend like her.

“Don’t need my permission, babe,” I said.

She smiled first at me and then at Jaycee. “I’d love that and I know Benny would too.”

The women exchanged numbers and then as Bree tucked her phone into her purse, I dropped my hand to the small of her back to get us moving. “Later,” I called out.

Back inside the truck, she said to me, “I don’t think Cade realizes what a good woman he has.”

I frowned slightly. “ Cade ?”

“Winstead,” she answered, laughing. “I know you use last names, but I thought you at least knew your teammates’ given names.”

“He’s a rookie.” I thought that said it all, but she continued to give me shit.

“Bishop is Grant. Bonner is Lincoln. Jones is Anthony and Antonov is Sergei, in case you ever find yourself on sports Jeopardy .”

“Think you’re so funny,” I said, then I leaned in to keep Miss Claudia from hearing me. “That kind of smart mouth earned you punishment. You’ll be enjoying yourself, but the sounds you make won’t be laughter when I’m pounding into that ass.”

Her cheeks pinked right away. I hadn’t planned on taking her ass tonight, but now I wanted nothing more. Shit. The more I thought about it, the more excited I got.

When we got back to the apartment, Miss Claudia walked Benny across the hall to her place and I stupidly thought it was for our benefit so I could get Bree naked again.

Unfortunately, Bree walked into her bedroom, bending down to open the very bottom drawer on her dresser, pulling out this sequined, almost-nonexistent bikini.

“I don’t need sparkly shit to get me hard. Your tight, little body works wonders for me, but if you want it, I’ll play along.”

She looked down at the fabric swatch in her hand and then back at me, narrowing her eyes. “This isn’t for you. I have to work.”

“You have the day off.”

“From the arena. I’m on the schedule for Slits tonight. ”

Wait—fuck that. She didn’t need to dance now. I promised to take care of her. It surprised the hell out of her when I moved in, snatching the outfit from her hands, and I walked over to the trash bin near the bed, tossing it inside.

“Reece, that’s not funny. I need that. The others have to be washed.”

“Baby. You don’t have to dance now. I’m taking care of his therapies. That’s why you work there, right?”

“It is. But what happens when this ends? Benny will still need therapy. This will give me a cushion to make up the difference for a few months between what I pay now and what I’ll have to pay.

After that runs out, I don’t know. I’ll figure out something.

There are places that pay to harvest eggs. That might work.”

Holy shit . She couldn’t be serious. “You’re not fucking selling your eggs. What’s wrong with you?”

“There’s nothing wrong with me. I refuse to let him fall behind because he had the misfortune of being born to a mother in my tax bracket.”

“He’s lucky to have you. Don’t say that shit again.”

“Please, Reece, just go. I’ll see you after work.”

“You’re kicking me out but inviting me over to fuck.”

“I figured you’d show up, anyway.”

She walked over to pluck the bikini from the bin and all I could do was watch, raking my hands through my hair until the answer hit and I reached out to pull her into my arms as she passed me, pressing my lips to her shocked ones. “I’ll set up a trust,” I said.

“Um… what ?” she asked, her eyes still glazed with lust from that kiss.

“A trust. I’ll put five years’ worth of money into an account for him. That’s three hundred grand. All you have to do is quit dancing while you’re with me.”

“You’re embarrassed of me,” she said low. “I get it.”

“No, baby, you mistake me. I don’t care that you dance and neither do any of my friends. But the truth is, I need you for things other than fucking, if you can believe it.”

She rolled her eyes and snickered. “I don’t believe the great Baker Reece has needs other than playing hockey and fucking.”

“Quit,” I ordered.

“That’s so much money.”

“Less for me than it is for you.”

“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my boy, but I can’t be your charity case—not you .”

She couldn’t be serious. “But you’ll sell your fucking eggs?”

“Not you,” she said sharper, wiping at her eyes.

“Bree, baby, you’re not my charity case.”

“Right. I’m your business deal. Sorry. I forgot myself for a moment.”

I raked my hands through my hair. This wasn’t going anything like I thought it would.

“Benny needs his therapies, but he needs his mom around, not working every waking hour. I couldn’t live with myself if he had to give up either of those.

See? It’s not charity or a business deal. It’s pure selfishness.”

She snickered. That was something, at least.

When her shoulders slumped, I figured I had her.

“You promise you’ll put the money in a trust?” Bingo.

“Already said I would. I’ll call my lawyer tonight.”

Sighing, she gave in. “Then I’ll quit,” she said, I smiled, but she shook her head. “I’ll quit, but I have to dance tonight. I may need this job again and can’t afford to burn bridges.”

Well, I hated it, but I didn’t protest.

“Fair warning—taking that ass tonight,” I said as my parting shot.