Page 35 of Trade Deadline

My chest tightens as my heart rate increases. Getting traded is part of the game, one of the wild rides that comes with being a professional athlete, but for the first time in my professional career, I want to remain in this city more than I want my next breath. I have my brother. I have teammates who are more like family than linemates.

And if things go well, I’ll have Alex, too.

“Blaine, just keep your head down. Put one hundred percent into every game and play your heart out. If it happens, it happens; there’s no way we can control it, but we can make you so critical to the team that it would be a major loss for them to trade you.”

Absorbing Hayden’s words, I nod. “I will.”

“Good.” He smiles. “And in the meantime, I’ll keep working on securing a new contract that includes a no-trade clause.”

I rub the ache in my chest, hoping with everything I have that he can make it happen. “Thanks, I really appreciate it.”

He waves me off. “Don’t let it eat away at you. Don’t stress over things that are out of your hands; just make sure you do everything you can to make yourself irreplaceable to the GM.”

“I will.”

And I mean it.

I’m going to play the best fucking hockey of my life, so the big bosses at Thunder HQ will never consider trading me.

Eleven

Blaine

You should get two minutes for hooking.

Alex

…

Blaine

Because you’ve got me hooked on you.

Alex

*cry laughing emoji*

Alex

I’ll happily serve that penalty.

Alex

Good luck tonight.

Blaine

Thanks! Will you be watching?

Alex

I’ll try and watch while I’m working.

Blaine

I wish you were coming.

Alex

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