Page 146 of Rogue Riders Duet

“He said you figured out that he guessed it’s you from the start.”

So he did toy with me.

Fuck, that’s embarrassing.

“That’s all he said?” I push carefully.

Dane raises a brow. “Would there be more to tell?”

“Nope,” I say too quickly. “Nothing else.”

His eyes narrow slightly, not quite suspicious but curious.

“Okaaay,” he says slowly. “Anyway. They like you for you, Alaina. I do too. You’re pretty cool, you know.”

“It’s your job to like me.” I huff a bitter laugh. “And with them, it’s not the same. I’m lying to them every day. These friendships aren’t real.”

Dane sighs, scrubbing a hand down his face. “What are you lying about then? Besides, you know, the obvious. The dick and the name. You’re not pretending to be someone else. You’re just… you.”

I open my mouth to argue, but he cuts me off.

“I haven’t even heard one of them call you Allen. It’s always Crews, or that stupid Petit shit.” He mutters the nickname like he’s disgusted by it, making my lips twitch. “Like they instinctively know you’re not really an Allen.”

“I…” I start, but the argument dies in my throat.

He’s right, isn’t he?

“All I’m saying is…” Dane continues, “… you don’t lie to them because you want to. You’re not out there trying to trick anyone. You’re just keeping yourself hidden. That’s different.”

I stare at the ceiling again, considering his perspective.

“I’m sure they’d understand,” he adds, gentler now. “If you explained it, why you’re doing this, who you really are, they’d forgive you.”

I let out a dry scoff. “That’s some Olympic-level wishful thinking.”

“Haven’t you already noticed how Raine’s been screwing with all of them? Finn’s fiancée, Payne’s reputation…”

“Luc’s temper,” I finish for him.

“What?”

“Luc has a temper.”

Dane gives me a look. “Yeah, I know that, but what does…”

“Raine tries to bait him, push him until he snaps and throws a punch. He obviously wants him to get kicked off the circuit.”

He whistles low. “Jesus. What a fucking dickhead, but it just proves what I’m saying. They will understand why you’re doing this.”

“Dane…” I murmur, not sure what to even say.

“I mean it.” His tone brooks no argument. “You’re fit, you have a life again, you’ve got friends.”

The truth of it makes me shift uncomfortably.

“Okay, maybe I didn’t realize how bad the pain’s been for you,” Dane relents. “That’s on me. I should’ve noticed sooner, and I’m sorry.” He clears his throat, and when I glance sideways, his face is shadowed. “But I’ve been doing some reading, made a few calls too.”

My brow twitches. “Calls?”