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"No, we don’t need to talk, because there’s nothing to say I have nothing to tell you" Nothing he could say that couldand went to the door She turned to look at hi toafter you If you walk out, we’re done"

"That’s fine"

He stood in the living roo at her, soin her not to run to him and throw her arms around him

But that would make her weak, and she wasn’t weak She had herself to think of, because he sure as hell hadn’t

She willed the tears back as she opened the door and walked out

She’d never hurt so much in her life as she took the elevator downstairs and hailed a taxi outside Fortunately, one came by quickly, because she was afraid Trick would run after her, despite what he’d said

He hadn’t Of course he hadn’t, because noas free toto deal with her

This was better for both of theolden rule of never getting involved, and it had cost her

Because now her heart was broken, so much worse than the first ti and na&iuone into it with her eyes wide open--a woirl Trick was a man she could have spent forever with

She should have known better, and now instead of loving hi to hurt forever

Chapter Thirteen

It had been a lousy week They’d won one gaaed to squeak by with a win, they’d played badly Trick had played badly And he had no one to blame but himself Hell, the whole teaa--if there was a good thing--was they had been road games, so at least they hadn’t sucked in front of the home fans

At least noas ho his wounds--in aet over Stella That sure as hell hadn’t worked out so well

Now he sipped a beer in his apartment and stared at the stupid Christmas tree which only re and toss it in the Dumpster, because he sure as hell wasn’t in the holiday spirit