Page 132 of Butterfly Effect

Off-air, I sigh in relief.

“Nicely done, Finch,” Mel says in my earpiece.

“Thanks.” I hand the mic over to Troy.

“You still there?”

“Yeah. What’s up?”

“I have good news and bad news.”

I squint up to the suite where she stands akimbo at the glass. “Bad news first.”

“Our flight’s canceled. It’s pouring, and the runway’s too slick to take off.”

“And the good news?”

“There’s space on the Regents charter.”

“We’re hitching a ride on their bus?”

“Yep. You good with that?”

“‘Course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

One of the PAs loads the media equipment and our suitcases. I shake droplets from my umbrella and prep myself as we board.

I will not ask to get fingerbanged on my fake boyfriend’s bus. I will not ask to get fingerbanged on my fake boyfriend’s bus. I will not ask to get fingerbanged on my fake boyfriend’s bus.

Coaching staff, the GM, and the equipment manager acknowledge our presence as we walk down the aisle. I trail behind Denise, Candace, and Jas as Mel and Troy sit on opposite sides of the aisle between rows of some second-line defensemen.

Denise finds the last empty row and hogs it for herself, putting her backpack into the seat.

“Real mature,” I deadpan.

“What? I need space.”

Someone clears their throat. “That’s too bad, Freckles.” The silky timbre of his voice traps a breath in my throat. Wade’s toothy, wicked smile gleams back. “You’ll have to settle for sitting next to me.”

Warmth coats the hollow of my chest. What is happening to me? Two months ago, I would have boiled over with annoyance.

Today, I find his wisecracks endearing.

My eyes roll for good measure. Can’t give him goo-goo eyes simply because we’re friends.

He pats the seat cushion. “Fartless. Only the best for my girl.”

“Classy.”

“Always. Hey!” Wade interrupts himself, poking a hand between the seats ahead of us. “Eyes forward, Donovan.”

“Ow!” The redhead pops his fist over, one eye screwed shut from getting jabbed, and smacks the top of Boehner’s head. Poor guy gets bopped back.

“Headphones, Fletch. Headphones!”

He pulls on a set of white over-the-ear headphones with a loud grumble.

“So authoritative.”

---