Page 52 of Traded

The murmuring stops when I slip back into the living room and hover awkwardly. Jonas twists his head to look, and grins. “If it isn’t the polar bear.”

I throw myself down when he pats the couch, refusing to look over at Lauren. “Saynothingabout my onesie if you value your life, Hart.”

He lifts his arm, and I wriggle my way beneath it. Jonas’s fingers tickle the warm wool.

“You good?” he whispers. I only nod, forcing my eyes toward the television. I can feel Liam’s eyes on me from the chair, but he doesn’t say anything about my choice of clothing. I wonder if he can feel my silent signal. Or not so silent.

The onesie is a universal pack sign that no nookie will be taking place.

The choice is out of your hands now, buddy.The only way any knot is getting near me is through six layers of warm, white, fleeced softness. I bury myself into it, pulling the hood over my head and pulling up my feet.

Lauren clears her throat. Jonas squeezes my shoulder when I tense, silent encouragement as her voice fills the air. “Are you ready for the game tomorrow?”

“As ready as we can be,” Jonas says easily. “We’ve got a good track record with the Motors, as long as Cart’s shoulder holds up.”

“What’s wrong with his shoulder?” Lauren straightens. “Is it the same injury he had last season?”

“How do you know about that?” I barely hide the sharpness.

Lauren flushes, and Liam gives me a warning look that I catch out of the corner of my eye. “I did research before accepting the job.”

I reluctantly accept that as a reasonable answer. I shift in my chair, pressing into a watchful Jonas. “Yeah. Same injury. He’s going to be fine, though.”

Maybe if I say it enough, it’ll happen. I frown down into my hands. I didn’t get to speak to Mina today. I’m not entirely sure she isn’t avoiding me.

“Talking of which.” Jonas presses his lips to the side of my head. “I’m for bed. Early start tomorrow. Everything in hand, Ro?”

“Of course.” Or it would be, if they hadn’t flipped my world upside down. I mentally cross my fingers. “I have it handled.”

“If there’s anything I can do…” Lauren trails off at my expression. “I think I’ll turn in too. It’s been a long day.”

“For all of us.” Liam unfurls, stretching out his neck. “Good idea to get an early night in.”

I don’t move. “I’m going to wait for Carter.”

“He was meeting with Dick and the coaches to work out the changes to his schedule. Dick was running late from meeting Meridian.” Liam holds out his hand. “Bed, Rosie. He won’t be long.”

But he also won’t be coming to my room, thanks to Liam’s fantastic idea. I glare at the outstretched hand. “I’m good here.”

“Rosie.”

“Liam.” I mimic his serious tone, my heart beating faster. “Seriously. I have stuff to prep for tomorrow.”

“I’m a night prepper too.” Lauren gives me an awkward half-smile, cutting into the tension. “Guess I’ll… see you tomorrow?”

I manage to nod. Jonas vanishes down the hall behind her, and I tense until I hear the second door close.

Liam is still standing there.

I look around us exaggeratedly. “Are you waiting for a bus?”

“Are we good?” The question takes me by surprise. He perches on the end of the couch. “Seriously, Ro. No joking around. I don’t want us to go to bed pissed at each other.”

I want to ask what exactly he thinksheshould be pissed about between the two of us, but my self-restraint is frankly admirable. “I’m not a hundred percent good. Today was a lot.”

Slowly, he nods. “Guess I can deal with that. Tomorrow will be better.”

“It can’t be any freaking worse,” I mutter as he disappears. When the third door closes, I feel myself relax before turning my attention to the door.