Page 88 of Traded

Abnormal Rosie

Games Played:18/82

Blackwater Titans

13–4–1

1st Atlantic Division

Callum Morris, NPHL Network Analyst:

"Ouch, Jeff. I think we can agree that Midwest swing sure brought the Titans back down to earth. After opening the season on a tear, Blackwater dropped two of three against quality Central opponents, exposing an offensethat looked unusually flat. Carter Reynolds continues to produce, but I’m hearing whispers that the Titans captain isn't at one hundred percent. The Titans are still on top, but it’s one to watch. After all, you and I know that good teams are measured by how they respond after a difficult week, not whether they have one."

“This is some fucking bullshit.” Carter leans forward to look at the screen, replaying the same hit we’ve watched a dozen times. “That should’ve been a sin bin.”

“Time to take a break.” He doesn’t argue when I peel the remote from his hands. “Save it for Remy to go over with you.”

Two losses in three nights isn’t a stat any of us are used to.

The power plays went cold, passes died halfway up the ice, and every single mistake seemed to find its way directly into our net.

He sighs, dropping his head into his hands and scrubbing it. “I was a fucking mess.”

“Everyone has an off game,” I try, but it doesn’t sound right. Because Carter doesn’thaveoff games. Especially not two in a row. “Martin’s pushing you too hard.”

His passes were a fraction too late. Against Minnesota, he’d hesitated twice, favoring his left side long enough for the defense to close him down.

“Rosie’s right.” Jonas sets a beer down in front of Carter and flops down beside me, shoving his feet up onto the table. “It was an off run, Cart. We’re still in good shape.”

“But we won’tstayin good shape unless we maintain it,” Liam says tersely. Carter grunts in agreement.

“I don’t think that’s helping.” I try not to look at how closely Lauren is curled into Liam’s side. His arm is around her shoulders, fingers toying with her hair.

Welcome the fuck home.

Being on the road made it so much easier to avoid them. Liam looks my way, and I drop my eyes. But my pulse jumps. Beside me, Jonas chuckles. “Jumpy much?”

Jumpy is one way to describe it. Liam’s silent assessment makes my skin prickle uncomfortably. I rub my hands against my jeans. “Does anyone want dinner? I can get leftovers from the freezer.”

I have a list as long as my arm of shit to get done. The post-trip washing pile is already staring me down from the corner of the kitchen. Grocery order is on tomorrow’s list.

“I’ll help you,” Lauren offers.

She moves to stand, but Liam presses into her shoulder. “No. Let Ro do it.”

I pull a face as I head into the kitchen. That’s about as much resistance as I can muster.

“I want to help.” Lauren’s low words make all of us still. My head pops out of the fridge like a jack-in-the-box. She looks around. Even Carter is watching, and she flushes uncomfortably. “I’d like to be more involved in the household. I’ve been here a while now. It feels weird not to help.”

“Of course,” Liam says smoothly. “You don’t have to feel like a guest. Rosie?”

But I’m already moving, my fingers twisting as I step away from the counters.

“Hey,” Carter says sharply. “At least ask her first.”

Liam raises his eyebrows in response, and I summon a shrug. “Fine with me.”

“Why don’t you go and sit down?” Lauren gestures towards the alphas on the couch as she approaches me. “I noticed… well, you didn’t get much time with the pack while we were away.”