Page 5 of Traded

My buzz lasts the twenty minutes it takes to reach the rink. Carter keeps his hand on my leg as he drives. He stares ahead with the focus the team teases him for but relies on when it comes to the ice.

Jonas would usually be humming along, out of tune but enthusiastic in the backseat, Liam grumbling at him to shut the hell up. But everyone is quiet today. My eyes trace over the schedule still clutched in my hands, mentally working through.

We’re only a little behind, despite them hijacking my early morning wake up call. I wriggle in my seat, glancing at Carter. He doesn’t look at me—notMr. My Omega Is In the Car, So I’m Not Looking Away For A Moment—but one side of his mouth curls up. “Stop that. Or I’m pulling over.”

I sniff to hide my laugh. “Don’t try any funny business with me, Reynolds. No time for that.”

“There’s always time for you.” His fingers trace a pattern on my knee. “And you shouldn’t smell so damn good.”

Awh. I swat his arm. “Focus.”

“Always.”

My secret jelly doughnut partner-in-carbs and occasional security guard lifts the barrier before Carter even puts the window down to use his entry badge. Sonny waves us through with a double thumbs up that I return enthusiastically.

Double doughnut delivery tonight it is. I make a mental note to stop at the bakery without Liam seeing.

“Don’t run off.” When Carter parks up and we climb out, I grab Liam’s arm before he can stride off to do his moody pregame thing and gently tug him back. “Not yet.”

“What’s wrong?” He turns to me with a crease between his brows. My smile grows at the way they spread out instinctively. Carter covers my back, Jonas and Liam flanking me as they glance around.

“Nothing.” I turn to the building in front of us. The Furnace—officially known as Blackwater Arena—is a gargantuan modern mass of black glass and shimmering metalwork. Hundreds of glossy panels form an octagon shape that conceals the upper levels where Carter and the team are nudged into schmoozing the fancy ass conglomerate owners that bought out a majority stake in the team two years ago. Lining the ground floor is a swanky entertainment complex that has queues snaking around the block most nights to try and snag a space in one of the bars or restaurants.

It’s busy, buzzy, and it’s home. But right now, it’s silent.

And it’s beautiful.

“Rosie,” Liam murmurs. He raises an eyebrow.

I wave a hand toward the Furnace, and they all follow my lead, turning to look. “New season. You’re not gonna have time to breathe once you walk through those doors, so soak in the moment now.”

Jonas slips his hand into mine and squeezes. “You’re such a romantic.”

There’s a lump in my throat as we all fall silent.

They were socloselast year. To lose out at the last minute nearly destroyed them.

But this year is going to be different. I don’t know why I’m so certain of it, but I am. An icy gust kisses my cheeks, whipping loose strands of hair around my face, and I breathe in the Blackwater air.

It even smells different here. Crisp and fresh.

Potential, I decide, and then want to slap myself for being so full of cheese.

Finally, I clear my throat and smack Jonas on the ass. “Emotional moment over. Now go win me an Everly Cup.”

I have a secret plan to drink champagne out of it while lounging in the bath. It might be the size of my entire torso, but I like a challenge. After three years of embracing life as a hockey omega, I deserve that date. With extra bubbles and cake.

“You got it.” Jonas’s smile lights up his whole, perfect face. I yelp when he swings his arm down and gently chops the back of my knees, scooping me up when I crumple like paper and racing for the double-doored player’s entrance.

One moment, I’m gazing at the Furnace. Next, the floor.

And he’s tall enough that the concrete feels like averylong way away. “Jonas!”

Carter and Liam bellow behind us, Jonas is laughing, and I’m gasping in a weird giggle-retch combination that could swing either way. But his hands are solid as he carries me carefully through the automatic doors with a swipe of his card. “I’d never let you fall.”

He lets me slide down before kissing me thoroughly enough that my knees wobble, murmuring into my mouth. “Thought it’d be good luck to carry you over the threshold.”

When the door slides open again, my cheeks are on fire. Carter ducks through with the bags, Liam already ahead of him, and Jonas yelps when Liam smacks the back of his head. “Locker rooms.Now.”