Page 113 of Trade Deadline

Colleen lets us know when we’re rolling, reminding us not to curse.

“So this morning you will be tasked with decorating today’s selection of baked goodies. Each of you will be responsible for creating some Thunder-themed treats, which fans will be able to purchase this afternoon before voting for their favorite online.” She explains. “Everything has been baked; all you have to do is create the design.”

We’re all handed a white apron withChicago Thunderembroidered on the front with the iconic logo, and once we put them on, Zach cautiously raises his hand.

“Do I need to wear a hairnet?” He points to his man bun tied high on the back of his head, and raucous laughter bounces off the kitchen walls.

Jacob shakes his head, a soft smile on his face. “No, it’s fine as it is.”

Colleen places us at our designated counters and clearly states that we can’t ask Alex or Jacob for help.

We’ll see about that.

I glance up, flashing a wicked smirk at Alex.

He blushes, dropping his chin to his chest, so I blow him a few kisses and give him a couple of exaggerated winks.

“Blaine, stop trying to get your boyfriend to help you.” Elliot smacks the back of my head with his hand.

I rub the tender spot and flip him the bird.

“Alex, as your favorite brother-in-law, I think you could help me, though.” Elliot grins.

Huh. Why am I not horrified by that idea?

“I’m sorry, it’s only fair that I don’t get involved. I’m just here to prevent any disasters from happening.” Alex laughs, shaking his head.

Colleen claps her hands to get our attention. “Okay, we’ll be starting in three… two… one… and decorate!”

On the station in front of me, there’s various piping bags filled with different colored frosting and twenty-four plain cupcakes. I pick up the red one first and start to write “Thunder”, but it starts blending together.

I end up with more frosting on my hands than on the cake, as was to be expected.

“I’m like a freakin’ child,” I mumble before wiping my hands down my apron. Red smears down the front of the white apron, making it look like something out of a horror movie.

“Ugh!” I groan.

Elliot starts to sing “Cake by the Ocean” as he decorates his own cupcakes, and instantly Colleen waves her hands for him to stop.

“Elliot, stop it! We’ll need to cut that out.”

He looks up, his hair flopping into his eyes, and grins mischievously.

Ethan and Zach are decorating donuts—what a surprise—in the colors of our jerseys, and Caleb and Mitch are decorating sugar cookies.

An hour later, Colleen claps again. “You’ve got ten minutes left, boys, then we’ve gotta get ready to open the doors.”

I look down at what can only be described as catastrophic. The writing has blended into an unreadable mess, and the hockey stick and puck I attempted look nothing like a stick and puck. I peek over at Zach’s, and he’s put big smiley faces on every donut.

“Nice job, dude!” I laugh.

He grins. “Nothing says happy donut day like a smiley face.”

Alex looks over my shoulder.

“What do you think? I think I’m a cake decorating master.”

He rolls his lips together, suppressing his laughter. “Wow, you’re definitely something. A solid B for effort”

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