Page 44 of Traded

“None of us have dealt with this before.” I listen to his heartbeat instead of focusing on his words. “Everyone’s finding their way, Ro. We all get grace with this, and you get more than everyone else. Don’t worry about the glass.”

I suck in my cheeks. “Have you seen her today?”

Jesus Christ. There she blows again.I may as well put Lauren on a platter and offer her to my pack with a fucking apple in her mouth.

“No.” Carter buries his nose in my hair and inhales. “And I have no plans to. Mina wanted some tests done. X-rays and stuff for my shoulder.”

That distracts me more than anything else could. I yank my head back, almost headbutting him. “What did they say?”

“The labral tear’s bigger than they thought. Growing.” At my sharp inhale, he shakes his head, but his throat bobs. “We discussed surgery, but Gabe thinks we might keep it stable through the regular season if I stay on top of rehab. Mina’s talking to him about it. It’ll be fine. I’m more worried about you right now.”

I step back from him as if my touch might make it worse. “I want to talk to Mina.”

He winds our fingers together, tugging me closer. “She might be a while. They’re going to review my pain management plan. But yes, you can talk to her. Maybe not today, though.”

“You shouldn’t be masking it with meds.” I frown, already calculating changes we can make at home. “That’s not going to help.”

“It’ll get me through the season as long as my shoulder stays in its socket. Martin’s going to make a few changes so I can protect that side as much as possible before playoffs.” He touches my cheek. “Don’t look at me like that. I don’t want you worrying about this on top of everything else. I’m handling it. Everyone here wants me to get through the season.”

I gnaw at my lip. “Have you told the others it’s worse?”

He nods. “That’s why Liam’s pushing so hard on the pack side. He’s trying to help, Ro. Let him.”

And now I feel twice as bad. My eyes drop. “I will.”

He kisses my forehead. “What’re your plans for the rest of the day?”

Hiding from Liamno longer seems like a suitable answer. I twist my lips. “Meetings.”

With me, myself, I, and several rounds of gourmet chips from the fancy vending machine on the first floor. “I’m meeting Lauren at three to bring her back to the apartment.”

Carter studies me. “You gonna be level with that? Want me to come with you?”

“No.” And no, and also,no. The last thing I want is Carter in an enclosed spare with someone who might be his scent match.

At least I have a good reason to say no.

“Liam was pretty firm that this is the best way.” I pull a face. “He wants us to befriends.”

“I take it that’s not going to happen.” Cart pushes some stray hair back out of my face, and his face twitches as his arm extends.

He has enough going on. Maybe Liam was right. We need to manage this between us.

“It… might,” I concede. Begrudgingly. “She doesn’t seem like the worst person on the planet.”

There. That’s practically effusive praise.

Carter looks like he’s hiding a smile. “Youreallywanted her to be a bitch.”

My hand smacks into his—thankfully not injured—shoulder. “I didnot.”

I totally did. But he laughs, and I’m trying not to smile, and it feels like everything might be okay. “Thanks for helping me in my meltdown mode.”

“I love your meltdown mode.” He pecks my lips. Twice. “All of your modes. If your psycho feral mode comes out, tell her I love her too. Even if she ends up in prison.”

She hasn’t made an appearance since thestolen diner nachosincident that almost landed us all behind bars when I took on an alpha twice my height. Even Carter had looked average compared to him. Thankfully he was a Titans fan, but I could have taken him.

“That’s not funny.” Not when it feels like a real possibility. “I wouldn’t suit a life on the run. And prison orange washes me out.”