Kardok
The tuxedo hungon the locker door where I’d left it yesterday evening, still in its garment bag, still perfectly pressed. Still bearing the marks of Lila’s makeup and tears.
I stared at it.
It stared back.
I’d been sitting on this bench for twenty minutes, in my sweats, with my skates in my lap and a head full of everything that had happened in the last twenty-four hours.
Rex Fairbanks’ voice:I’ll handle the OHL, son.
The way Lila had looked walking away from me in the hallway, her face buried in her hands.
I can’t be seen with you.
Not because she didn’t want to be. That was the part that made it worse, somehow—she was breaking herself in half to protect the team, protectme, and I was sitting here in a locker room in my sweats while she was up there doing it alone.
The door banged open.
“Ha!” Torrk announced in that too-excited way of his, striding into the space in a tailored tuxedo. “These mirrors make me look magnificent!”
Since he wasn’t talking to me, I didn’t answer. I have to admit, though, knowing that all the guys were up there schmoozing while looking like penguins made me feel a little ridiculous about wearing my tux.
Torrk crossed to his locker, announcing, “It had better be in here.” He emerged triumphantly holding a bow tie. Then he turned around, registered my existence, and his face fell into an expression of theatrical concern. “Oh, man. You look terrible.”
“Thank you.”
“No, likebad. Like someone ran over your dog.”
“I don’t have a dog.”
“Like someone ran over yourhypotheticaldog.” He held up the bow tie, turning it in his hands with a frown. “Do you know how to tie one of these? Turns out it’s not like a suit—youhaveto wear a strangulation device at a formal event.”
It felt like I just didn’t have the energy to engage him in conversation, so I shook my head. “Dakvaar knows how to tie one.”
Torrk brightened. “Of course he does.” He pointed at me. “Also, you really do look terrible. Someone should tell you these things.”
“You just did.”
“Right. Good.” He nodded, satisfied, and headed for the door. “Hey, what’s black and white and green all over?”
I sighed. “A bunch of orcs in tuxedos?”
“Don’t be silly.” Torrk winked. “A zebra covered in lime juice.”
Since it was expected, I groaned. “You’ve been telling that to people, haven’t you? Dear gods, we’re trying toimpressthese people.”
“They think I’m charming. Most people do.”
Gods below, it was impossible not to appreciate the male’s vigor. My lips twitched. “Until they get to know you. Lime juice doesn’t turn you green.”
“It doesn’t?” Torrk cocked his head. “Huh.”
Judging from his smirk, he knew that, and was pleased by his efforts to drag me from my sulk. I suppose I should be grateful, but I wasn’t any closer to making a decision about tonight than I’d been before he’d come in.
The last twenty-four hours had been brutal. I’d lost count of how many times I picked up my phone to call Lila. But she’d made it clear that we needed to put things on hold, and even though it wasn’t what shewanted—thank fuck—I had to respect her wishes.
My Mate.
