Page 5 of Trade It All

“I was thinking I could make breakfast,” he adds casually. “Eggs maybe.”

I swing my legs off the couch and grab the pillow I must have kicked to the floor sometime during the night.

“I actually need to get to the arena early,” I tell him, my voice still thick with sleep.

Tyler pauses halfway through opening the fridge.

“Arena?” he repeats. The word comes out sharper than it needs to. My shoulders tighten automatically.

I work for the Mustangs. Tyler knows that. He’s known since the day we met. But every time I mention the team, there’s always that reaction. That edge. I sigh quietly.

“Breakfast would be great,” I say before he can push it further.

His expression relaxes immediately.

“Good,” he says, turning back to the stove.

Like the moment never happened.

I carry the pillow and blanket back to the bedroom and toss them onto the bed before heading into the bathroom to wash my face.

When I come back out, the smell of eggs fills the apartment. Tyler slides a plate onto the table.

“Sit.” He sets the fork beside my plate and takes the chair across from me.

“Big day?” he asks.

“Just normal stuff,” I say, cutting into the eggs. “Content planning. Player interviews.” The usual. The quiet, behind-the-scenes work that keeps the Mustangs’ social media running.

Tyler leans back in his chair. “So…” he says slowly.

Here it comes.I almost roll my eyes but I know that will piss him off.

“…any chance the Mustangs are looking to pull someone up from the farm soon?”

I pause mid-bite. Of course. The “farm” being the AHL. My stomach tightens.

“Why?” I ask.

He shrugs like it’s no big deal. “Just curious.”

I force myself to take another bite of eggs before answering.

“I can keep an ear out.” The words come automatically. Professional. Neutral.

But the thought of Tyler playing for the Mustangs makes something deep in my chest prickle. Because that would mean—No.

I shove the thought away immediately. Because that would mean Tyler playing for Dean. Kincade, I correct myself instantly. Coach Kincade. He made that perfectly clear.

Tyler nods like he expected that answer. “Appreciate it.”

I finish breakfast quickly and rinse my plate in the sink before grabbing my bag.

Tyler walks me to the door. “Have a good day,” he says, leaning down to kiss my forehead. The gesture is gentle. Normal. Like everything between us is perfectly fine.

“Thanks,” I say. My hand tightens slightly around the strap of my bag. “I’ll see you tonight.”

“Yeah,” he says easily.