Page 95 of Traded

“You need to hurry up.” Lauren steps in when I can’t. “Twenty minutes to shower and change.”

“Thanks,” Carter says slowly without looking her way. He pulls off his glove, reaching for me. “Do I need to put some coffee in you? Have you eaten?”

I hold up my cup silently in answer, blocking his touch. Boone is on the other side of the ice listening to someone I don’t recognize. But his eyes are locked on me.

“I’m… fine,” I say eventually. “I might head upstairs actually, if you don’t need me. Grab a snack before it all kicks off.”

“Good idea.” He runs a hand over his face. “I’ll be glad when today is done.”

“Your suit is hanging up in the locker room.” He catches me as I jump off, his hands resting on my hips. “Shoes and everything else in the bag underneath.”

Carter looks down at me, his lips curving. “Don’t know how I’d function without you.”

Forcing my smile to reach my eyes, I duck out of his reach. “Get going. See you up there.”

Chapter twenty-seven

Gloves Off

Lauren follows in silence when I head for the conference room without stopping for a snack. She slides into the seat next to me at the back of the room, away from the players filling the rows on the other side. In the corner of my eye, I see Jonas waving us over.

Wavingherover. But she doesn’t see him, and I don’t say anything.

The room is packed. Rows of cameras are set up behind us, the front rows crowded with every journalist in Blackwater and a few more from nationals. Even Eileen is here, and I frown over at her before I can stop myself. She catches my eye and turns around to face the front.

A side door opens near the stage, and the noise in the room dips.

Boone walks out first. His dark suit jacket is unbuttoned, tie loosened like he’s preparing for a fight rather than a press conference. Carter follows a few seconds later, lookingimmaculate in the suit I picked out last night. Charcoal, to match the team colors. He rolls his shoulder as he settles into the chair beside Boone, his posture tight in comparison to the way Boone lounges back beside him. Neither of them say a word to each other.

Ness takes the seat at the end of the table. Her bright red blazer stands out against the Meridian sponsor wall decorated with dozens of tiny logos.

Lauren shifts. “You okay?”

“Fine.” The word comes so easily now.

Practice makes perfect.

Ness taps the microphone, and the whole room winces at the screech of feedback before she begins. “Sorry to keep you waiting, everyone. As you know, we’ve got Carter Reynolds, captain of the Blackwater Titans, and Boone Mercer, captain of the Blackwater Aces. We’ll start with any questions relating to today’s joint Sponsor Day before moving on to hockey. Please state your name and outlet.”

A good two-thirds of the room throws their hand into the air. I spot Ryker grinning as Benji forces his hand down, and a laugh grows and dies in my throat.

The questions start off easy. I spot the exact moment the teams start to shuffle in their chairs from boredom. Everyone aside from Jonas, who stares up at the podium like he’s willing himself up on it.

Eileen’s hand shoots up. Ness gives her the room at once, much to my irritation. She smiles widely at Boone. “Viewers across the country would like to know. Is there a special omega in your life, Mr. Mercer? Or perhaps a vacancy?”

Fuck me. Her eyes actually twinkle behind her moon-shaped glasses. Titters fill the room.

“Somebody escort grandma to the door.” At my mutter, both Lauren and the guy seated in front turn to give me horrified looks, and I slam my mouth closed.

Boone leans towards his microphone, his smirk on full show. “Unfortunately, I’m not in the market, Eileen. If I was, you’d be first on my list.”

Ugh.Also—wait.What?

A ripple of laughter moves through the room. Eileen waves a hand at him. “Oh,you.”

Another hand. “Megan Brandon, Blackwater Daily. My question is for both captains. How did you find working together on the Scheltzer shoot? Do you think hockey and alcohol are a natural alliance?”

There’s a faint barb in her question, and I’m impressed. Carter takes the mic. “Uh, good question. I think that there’s a time and a place for people who enjoy a beer. I know I’ll be having one after this.”