Page 14 of Trade Deadline

Blaine

“I’m not angry,I’m just disappointed.” Joe, the team's physician, gives me a pointed look.

Why is it that whenever someone says that, you immediately regret everything?

I drop my head between my shoulders. “I know, I know! I’m paying for it now.”

“Why didn’t you come and see me after the game? I could have helped you.”

“It didn’t feel as bad, probably because I was just hopped up on the adrenaline, but Joe,” I whine playfully, although I know he’s going to take zero pity on me. “It really hurts.”

With a roll of his eyes, he pats the table. I climb up, screwing my face up when my hip twinges. I took a big hit in the third period last night, and my left hip has been sore since. I spent some time on the bike and did some stretches after the game, followed by a quick ice bath before jumping into a long, extra-hot shower. Although I was starting to ache last night, I didn’t think it was this bad, but this morning I woke up feeling like an eighty-six-year-old.

“You know better than that, Blaine. Have I taught you nothing since we’ve been working together?”

I sigh.

He’s right. I skipped protocol last night—despite the fact that I thought I was okay—and reconditioning and recovery is essential.

“Or was it you were too eager to go and see a certain blond that was by the boards?” I open my eyes at his teasing tone and throw a glare over to Ethan on the next table over. His shoulders are shaking as he silently laughs to himself.

“Fuck you, Ethan,” I grumble.

He flips his middle finger over his shoulder at me before groaning when the other therapist works on the back of his thigh.

“I’m guessing everyone knows?”

Joe nods, a small smile playing on his lips. “You can thank the rookie for that. He’s been blowing up everyone's phones, sharing the news that Mister Bachelor-for-life himself got turned down for the first time in history.”

Fucking Mitch.

After Alex disappeared into the crowd last night, I headed back to the table, uncertain for the first time in a while.

“What happened?” Ethan asked, his annoyance evident, as was his surprise at my re-appearance.

Alone.

I shrugged, slumping into the seat next to him.“He turned me down.”

Ethan’s jaw dropped open, and the rest of the boys leaned forward.

“Shut the front door!” Elliot gasped.“You got rejected?”

I flipped him off.“Fuck off.”

He slapped his palm against the table, his head tipped back in laughter.“This is amazing. Broski got rejected!”

I scowled at my twin brother, hoping our telepathic senses were working so he could feel the wrath that would be coming his way if he didn’t quit it.

“What did he say, exactly?” Kendrick asked in amusement.

“Just that he’s been hurt by guys like me in the past and that if I want him, I’ll have to work for him.”

“Ouch!” Zach grimaced.“You’ve never had to work for anyone’s attention in your life.”

“I know!” I sighed, running an aggravated hand through my hair.“I’m feeling kinda… stunned.”

Ethan smirked.“Hell, I wanna meet this guy.”

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