Page 171 of Waiting Game

What a surprise. Not.

“You’re the last to arrive and you had the shortest journey,” I taunt, earning myself the bird he flips at me before storming down the hall toward the furor that comes from hosting the whole team.

My apartment might be big, but it’s bursting at the seams with so many of us hanging out here.

When Liam strides into the living room, however, he barks, “What the fuck is this about?”

“Killjoy,” I mumble as I sidle in too.

Ignoring me, he folds his arms across his chest. “Some of us have better things to do thanthisso, Greco, get on with it. What’s wrong?”

Though I shake my head, I don’t say anything.

Liam’s the most atypical captain going. I know he depends on Gagné for the ‘caretaking’ side of managing a bunch of egos, but the dude has yet to learn that you catch more bees with honey.

Plus, with Gagné still in the hospital, their power duo isn’t worth shit.

“Is it true about Matthew Ellison being injured?”

The question takes everyone aback—Liam included. “What does that have to do with you? I figured this would be about Gagné.”

“We all know how he’s doing—he’ll be back on the ice in a month or two,” Greco retorts. “Answer the damn question. Is Ellison injured?”

“He hasn’t told me if he is or not.” Liam glances at me. “Has he told you anything about an injury?”

I scratch my chin. “No, but Matt’s been pretty quiet now that I think about it.”

Liam frowns. “Yeah. He has.”

“That’s unusual?” Greco prods.

Matt’s relatively zen for a Bukowski billet brother, but that doesn’t mean dick—zen for a Bukowski billet brother is like a regular person being hopped up on Adderall.

“I guess.” Liam frowns. “I watched his game last night.”

“He got switched out after the first period,” I insert. “Maybe heisinjured.”

Liam unscrews the cap of his kombucha. “Why are you asking, Greco?”

“I heard a rumor that I needed confirming.” He takes a sip of beer. “The Bulldogs want him gone.”

Liam’s brows lift. “Doubtful.”

Greco hitches a shoulder. “You know Mack Finnegan? The PSN News’ reporter?”

“That’s your source?” I inquire.

“Sure is. Never let me down in the past… but if it’s true, which I think it is, he’d be a cheap buy for the team.”

“He’s not a BOGO cut of meat from the grocery store.”

“Aren’t we all?” Lewis grumbles.

“Depressing but true,” McIsaac confirms with a grunt.

Liam sips his kombucha. “You want me to tell Gracie about Matt, is that what this is about, Greco?”

“I figured it’d be smart to snap him up. I know the last time he was in New York, he sucked but he was on fire last season. Dealing with an injury would be worth it to get him on the roster seeing as you’re fucking useless, Davies.”

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