Page 153 of Traded

“Yeah.” I force a smile as my eyes prickle. “Been a long season, that’s all.”

“Tell me about it. And now we have playoffs.Notthat I’m complaining.” She throws up her arm as Carter misses the puck, crashing into the boards. “What the hell is wrong with Cart tonight? He’s all over the place.”

He shakes off the impact and roars in Liam’s direction before heading for the bench and throwing his legs over. Ethan taps in, and Katie cheers. “You go, baby!”

I lean forward to watch Carter. Coach is talking to him, his arm slashing toward the ice. I can’t see his face, but Carter shouts back, ripping off his helmet.

I’ve never seen him shout at Martin before.

Maybe the conversation we’re planning for when we get home is weighing on him. Fuck knows it’s weighing on me.

But my bags are packed and ready.

Stowed inside my closet, waiting for me to collect them when we leave.

The enormity of what’s to come threatens to cave in my chest. Carter’s head hangs down as Mason leans into him, rubbing his shoulder. He doesn’t respond.

Second period ends without a goal, and a rumble of disappointment ripples across the crowd as the players disappear into their locker rooms.

My phone—slipped into my pocket by a pale, watchful Jonas when they arrived back from the swing, his eyes flicking between me and Lauren like the weaselly little asshole he is—buzzes in my pocket.

Meet me downstairs.

Liam.

I shove my phone back into my pocket. I think the fuck not.

It buzzes again.It’s about Carter.

I crane my head, but he’s vanished back into the locker rooms with the rest of the team. A prickle of foreboding ripples up my spine, and I get to my feet. “I’ll be back in a minute. You want anything?”

Katie holds up her popcorn in answer, and Lauren tilts her head. “Everything okay?”

“Fine.” I don’t want to expose her to her scent matches any more than she has to be. Another layer of guilt settles over the worry in my chest, and I rub at the ache. “I won’t be long.”

The floor is rammed with people queuing for drinks and merch. I shove my way through, fighting for breath by the time I pop out at the top of the stairs and run down them, only pausing long enough to flash my badge to security.

Liam is pacing outside the locker room. He blows out a breath when he sees me. “There you are.”

“Upstairs is packed.” I look at the door. “What’s up with Carter?”

“I need to speak to you.” He grabs my arm and tests the handle on Gabe’s office before pushing it open. “He always forgets to lock it. We can talk in here.”

I follow him inside, cold creeping over me as he pushes the door closed. “Seriously. Tell me what’s going on.”

“You tell me.” He leans back against the door and gestures at the few feet between us. “Something strange is going on, and I want to know what it is.”

“What?” My voice jumps several octaves, and he gives me alook. “Nothing’s going on.”

Liam leans forward. “Carter’s all over the place. Acting weird. He won’t fucking talk to me about anything. He’s locked me out. And we both know he tells you everything. So spit it out.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I rub at my arms. “Third period will be starting.”

“Not yet.” Liam folds his arms, his voice lowering. Coaxing. “Come on, Ro. We’re a team, remember?”

“Are we?” A laugh springs out unbidden. “Since when?”

“Don’t be like that.” His lips twist. “Last few months have been tough. I get it. But it’s done. We need to move on, and I can’tdothat while Carter’s icing me out like I don’t exist.”