“I know you aren’t listening to anything,” he says.“You’re on a bus full of shifters.We all know you’re wearing them so we don’t talk to you.”
Alvarez chuckles from across the aisle, where he sits with Lindy.
Sighing, I take them out, put them in the case, and slip them in my pants pocket.“I’m not trying to be rude.I’m not an asshole.I’m an introvert.People are exhausting and overwhelming.”
Stone smirks.“Except for Phoebe.She’s your person.”
My face flushes hotly.“She is.”
“That’s awesome.”Stone offers a genuine smile.“She talked about you when we hung out.”
“She did?”I don’t bother trying to keep the surprise out of my voice.
“She did, and I don’t think she even realized it.I could tell she had feelings for you.I didn’t realize you were her best friend.I didn’t connect best friend Ollie with Oliver King of the Spokane Sasquatch, but once I saw you together, there was no question you two are perfect for each other.”
I nod.Not sure if I should thank him or what.This is so freaking awkward.
“Anyway,” Stone says.“I’ll leave you in peace, but I wanted to clear the air.We’re all glad you’re here on the team.I’m thrilled I don’t have to defend against you anymore.”
“Amen to that,” Bedard says from the seat behind me, and half the bus laughs.
Swallowing roughly against unexpected emotion, I say, “Thanks.”
I still think this team is almost a cult, but they’re a friendly lot.That’s appreciated after the toxic sewage of attitude the Sasquatch spewed.
Phoebe didn’t need to pack me a snack—they have sandwiches and drinks available for us.The quality of the refreshments is much higher than my previous team’s offerings.I spend part of the ride reading a mystery, until I overhear that Wi-Fi’s available.No wonder everyone is happy, they’re treated like royalty.
We’re staying at a Clardmore hotel in New York City—the chain that’s owned by Declan Mackenzie’s family.I don’t know if that’s why the team chose it or because of the general quality.When we get there, Alvarez walks up and holds out a key.
“You’re sharing a suite with me and Stone,” he says.
“Okay,” I say, taking the key.“How do they assign roommates?”
“If it’s late, they hand out keys at random.We always have suites with separate bedrooms if we’re sharing or single rooms if we’re alone.Otherwise we can coordinate among ourselves who we room with.”His brow furrows.“Is it okay if we room together?I thought maybe it would be easier, since you know us.If you have questions or whatever, you can ask.If you’d rather not, you can trade—whatever works for you.”
“No, I’m cool sharing.Thanks.”
Stone joins us.“They’re unloading our bags now.”They have this down to a science, and the bags are rolled in on carts so we can quickly grab our luggage.Bedard hands me mine.
I take the elevators up to the private floor reserved for us.The suite I’m sharing is nicer than the usual accommodations my old team had.As team captain, I got a room of my own, but most of the team shared.That was about the only perk of being captain—my teammates took full advantage of the puck bunnies in every town who were hoping to secure a professional hockey player as a boyfriend or cross something off their fuck-it bucket list, so the privacy was appreciated.
There’s a common sitting area, and then three bedrooms, each with a private bathroom.The beds are huge and will fit a shifter.I realize I can’t hear noise from other rooms.Usually staying in hotels, shifters can hear everything going on due to their generally superior hearing.It sucked because I’d hear all my teammates having sex, and that’s something I never wanted to know about them.
I don’t bother unpacking fully, just hang up my garment bag so my suits don’t wrinkle.Sitting on the edge of my bed, I pull out my phone to text Phoebe.
Me: Arrived in New York.
Phoebe: Oh good!Can we FaceTime?
I hit the button and get up to close my door as we connect.
“Hi,” I say, “everything okay?”
It’s only been about seven hours since I left her, but I miss her so much.
Her smile is so sweet.“Yeah, I’m fine.Went by the bakery to check in.I’m going to work the counter on Friday and then start back baking on Monday.How about you?How was the trip?”
I lean against the headboard to get comfy, but Phoebe lets out a huge yawn.It’s not that late in New Jersey, barely eight in the evening, but she was up early this morning and didn’t get a lot of sleep.
