“Of course! I’ll reach out after the holidays, and I’ll definitely text you when the deal’s done. Merry Christmas!”
“Thanks, Kayla. Merry Christmas to you, too.”
I end the call and my anemic smile dies.
Coop told Kayla to acquire my brothers?
We had a plan! They were supposed to be added to the extended roster! They were going to have a rigorous training schedule this year so we could prepare them to get called up to the Firebirds! We agreed on it! We presented it to our GM! And heimmediatelywent behind my back so he could get them out of the way. I guarantee if I call Doug right now, he’ll tell me Betancourt—Coop’s top pick—is signing papers.
The sense of betrayal is so deep, I feel like I’ve been hollowed out. Everything I thought about Coop over the last few weeks is a lie.
He’s not thoughtful. He’s not deeper and more considerate than I expected. He’s simply a better actor than I ever imagined.
A knock on my window startles me. I put a hand on my heart and see the man himself, his face bright red from the cold.
I roll down my window a fraction of an inch. “What are you doing?”
“My Jeep died. I tried using the portable charger I keep in my car, but I must have left a light on, because it’s too dead toeven take a charge. Is there any chance you could take me to the airport?”
I want to say no so badly. I want to drive off, letting my tires spit snow and sludge in his face. Heck, I want to run him over. But as furious as I am—as hurt and betrayed and enraged as I am—I still have to work with this man for the next year.
And I need to give him a piece of my mind.
“Climb in.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
COOPER
Liesel’s trunk ispacked. She has a twenty-four pack of water bottles, a couple of boxes of protein bars, road flares, space blankets, a tent, flashlights, and I don’t know what else, because there’s also a full hiking backpack.
“It looks like you raided a Costco and a DICK’S Sporting Goods. What is all that?”
The roll of her eyes is the flutteringgive me strengthkind of eye roll, and it makes me feel like I’m missing something. “Juliet and Nate.”
“Oh, right. The pipeline from the elevator to emergency preppers, right? That’s kind of sweet that they’re worried about you.”
“They weren’t worried aboutme. This was all in there when Nate gave me his Prius.” She sounds almost hostile as she drives out of the parking lot. But of all the ways Nate has possibly overstepped her comfort level, at least this one is practical. Ish.
“It’s nice that you have it, though. Aren’t you the kind of girl who likes to be prepared for everything?”
“Of course Iwantto be prepared, but I don’t know why I bother. No matter how much I prepare for something, I’malwaysblindsided.”
Somewhere in the two minutes since our goodbye, Liesel has gone from hot enough to melt snow to frostier than an icicle. A pointed icicle.
I just don’t know what the pointis.
Or why it feels sostabby.
“It’s cold in here,” I say.
“We’re in the middle of a blizzard.”
“That’s not what I mean,” I tease.
We’re stopped at a light. Liesel turns her head to me so slowly, it’s something out of a horror movie.Slay Bells Ring, orSlaying All the Way.
I snort.
