Page 15 of Puck Your Feelings

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"Counterpoint: yes it does."

This time he does look up, one eyebrow raised. "Your worldview explains a lot about your podcast."

"My podcast is entertainingandvaluable."

"If you say so."

"I do say so. In fact—" I pull out my phone. "Let me show you the analytics—"

"I'm not interested in your numbers."

"Because you're jealous."

"Because I'm reading."

"You're avoiding."

"I'm trying to."

I grin, because I've definitely gotten under his skin now. "Admit it. You're a little bit impressed."

Kane sighs, closes his book, and turns to face me fully for the first time since we sat down. "Fine. You want my honest opinion?"

"Um, no."

"Your podcast is chaotic, unprofessional, and full of stupid conspiracy theories. You have no clear structure, your audio quality is inconsistent, and half the time you sound like you're recording in a bathroom."

I stare at him. "That's because I sometimes am."

"I'm aware. I can hear the echo."

"So youhavelistened."

His expression shifts—caught. "I did research before accepting the trade."

"Research. On me."

"On all my new teammates."

"But you specifically listened to my podcast!"

He rolls his eyes. "Yours is theonlypodcast. And I fast-forwarded through most of it."

"But not all of it."

We're staring at each other now, and there's something almost playful in the way his eyes have lightened. It's the first time he's looked even remotely human.

"The episode about hockey superstitions was interesting," he admits finally. "Your interview with Wall about goalie rituals was well-structured."

"Was that a compliment?"

"It was an observation."

"Sounded like a compliment to me."

"Then your hearing is impaired."

"My hearing is fine. You just have a hard time being nice."

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