Page 100 of Traded
When Liam stands, I flinch back. “I’m going to run you a bath. It’ll make you feel better. Then we’ll get some sleep, after we fix you up.”
Fix me up.Another layer of demands to keep the cage bars intact. I absorb the words as if I’m standing at a distance, watching. An impartial observer to my own life.
His lips brush my forehead. “You did well. It’s been a long day. Tomorrow will be easier.”
He steps into my bathroom. The sound of water gushing follows a moment later. The toilet seat. The sound of the flush. Hands being washed.
And all the while, I stare at my nest. At the blanket collection I’ve built over three years, thinking I was building a life. At the sweatshirts I rotate in and out. At the shelves Jonas built for me around the deep mattress, each one covered with tattered, dog-eared books and jeweled lights and pretty trinkets I thought I needed to feel safe. “Can I stay in your room tonight?”
“You say something?” Liam calls over the water before it cuts out. “Bath’s done.”
I don’t need these things anymore.
Because nowhere is safe.
Chapter twenty-nine
Burning Down the House
Games Played:48/82
Blackwater Titans
33–11–4
1st Atlantic Division
Jeff Akerman, NPHL Network Analyst:
“The Titans have blown past the halfway point of the season looking every bit the Everly Cup contender many predicted. Defensively they're among the league's elite,but it’s a curious state of play. The explosive end-to-end rushes that once defined Carter Reynolds have become increasingly rare. Reynolds insists he feels healthy, and the Titans certainly toed the line—well, most of them— at their recent explosive media day, but it's impossible to ignore the difference. On that note, Cal, I hear the fine issued by the NAHL to Reynolds and Aces captain Boone Mercer for their now infamous televised fistfight is the highest ever financial penalty for a fight outside of a game. The Titans might be leading the season, but it’s not clear who picked up the win on that one.”
“I’m staying home.” Carter crouches in front of me, his shirt sleeves rolled back and a deep frown pulling at his mouth. “This isn’t right, Ro.”
I don’t move from underneath the bundle of blankets. Forcing a smile, I reach out and smooth the crease between his eyes away. Or try to. But it doesn’t move. “I think the season’s catching up with me, that’s all. I’ll get some rest while you’re away. You know you can’t stay.”
Not with an away game against Montreal seven hours away. “You should get going. The bus is picking you up from the Furnace at twelve.”
“The game’s not until tomorrow.” Carter’s frown only deepens. “I don’t like leaving you.”
“I’ll be fine.” I hold up my phone. “Katie’s not going either. I can message her if I need anything.”
When he doesn’t move, Liam clears his throat. “Cart. We do have to go. We’ll be fined if we miss pick-up.”
Our eyes meet over his head. Liam shakes his head in a warning I don’t need. Not after this morning. Beside him, Jonas is fiddling with the watch at his wrist, not paying attention.Lauren tugs at his arm, fixing it with thinned lips. He finally looks my way when she nudges him. “You sure you don’t need anything, Ro?”
“Can you all stop worrying?” I force myself to sit up. To pull the blankets over me. “I’ll see you on Wednesday. In the meantime, I intend to watch shit TV and binge on cake. Promise not to play with the electrics.”
“Not too much cake,” Liam murmurs, but there’s no bite in it. He and I both know he doesn’t need totellme anything. Not anymore. “You know it’s not good for you. Call if you need us.”
I wouldn’t call him if the apartment was burning down around me.
Perhaps something changes in my face, because Carter’s expression shifts. “Meet you downstairs.”
Liam pauses as the others disappear. Waiting, but Carter points toward the hall, the words unusually terse. “I need a minute. Fuck the late fine. I’ll pay it.”
Your funeral.” His smile doesn’t reach his eyes as he ducks into the room. His lips feel like paper against my forehead, and I force myself not to react. “I’ll call you later.”
Can’t wait.
