Page 75 of Defensive Desire

“No. Youskatedright into it,” I grin. "Like Blake Maddox in Game Four of the playoffs last season."

Nate chuckles, but his eyes go soft. “He’s been… lighter, you know? You’ve made him happy.”

I try to focus on the pan, instead of the way Logan's brothers are both staring at me right now.

“I hope so,” I say. “I didn’t think I’d fit into all this.”

I gesture around the rustic cabin, the beautiful landscape that I enjoyed exploring yesterday.

“The trees. The fishing. The… very enthusiastic opinions about bacon.”

“It’s more than that,” Nate says, leaning against the counter, swirling the tongs around on one finger. “You ground him. That’s not easy to do. Especially not with Logan.”

“I'll say. Guy was wound tighter than a goalie’s jock strap last season,” Cole adds helpfully. "We could see that even through the shield of a TV screen."

“Charming,” I reply, flipping a pancake.

A low rumble echoes from down the hall. Logan's snoring like a bear who lost a bet with a chainsaw.

Nate glances toward the bedroom. “Seriously. Didn’t think he’d be the one sleeping in.”

Cole grins. “You sure you didn’tbreakhim?”

“He’s fine,” I say, unable to hide my smile. “Probably just exhausted from all the fresh air.”

“Right. Fresh air." Nate quips, sipping his coffee with a knowing look.

My heart does that annoying fluttering thing. The one I try to ignore but never can.

I plate up the pancakes just as my phone buzzes across the counter.Shit.Signal has returned! Albeit briefly.

I snatch my phone and read quickly, seeing the message is from Lucy. There's also a photo Ethan behind the espresso machine, wearing a pink apron and looking mildly alarmed.

“All good here! Ethan hasn’t broken anything yet. Grandpa Walt is supervising like it’s the moon landing.”

I laugh and type back a quick thumbs-up emoji, but the buzz in my chest dulls a little.

Reality feels like it’s sneaking back in. Running Chapter and Grind. Trying to win the café. The Arena Experience Day. That crazy life I’m supposed to return to in—what, two days?

I’m staring at the photo, still smiling, when Nate speaks again.

“Ah well. We just hope Logan’s not stressing too much about the trade rumors. I know it’s eating at him.”

I blink and turn on my heel, my spine straightening.

“What rumors?”

Nate pauses mid-sip, eyes flicking up to mine. “You didn’t know?”

My stomach twists. “Knowwhat, Nate?”

Nate's face falls as he registers my expression. "Shit, Em. Logan hasn't told you?"

I set down the spatula, my heart suddenly pounding in my ears. "Tell me what, exactly?"

Cole and Nate exchange a look that makes my stomach drop even further.

"It's probably nothing," Cole says, his voice deliberately casual. "Just some talk going around the league. Happens before every new season."

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