Traded (Nashville Grizzlies, #1)

by Carly Marie

“Hello?” “B-Braxlyn? Brax? Um, Braxlyn Cernak?” The voice on the other end of the line held unmistakable nerves that I instantly wanted to calm. Taking a breath, I lowered my voice to the same tone I used with nervous subs at the club Easton and I went to on nights we were free and had the energy. Unfortunately, those nights were few and far between during the season. “Brax, yes.” He let out an uncomfortable chuckle, though it held a bit less nervousness than when I’d first answered. “Oh, hi. I’m Blaise Emory, Assistant Director of Hockey Operations with the Nashville Grizzlies.” I returned to my bed and got comfortable. “Good to hear from you, Blaise.” “Coach Cunningham asked me to call you. He’s on a plane and won’t be back until later tonight.” He paused to gather his thoughts and I could hear something bouncing, likely a pen against his desk. “He asked me to schedule you a flight for this evening. He’d like you here by tomorrow morning. I-I know it’s last minute, but there’s a skate tomorrow midmorning and he thinks that it would be good if you were there. It will give you two full practices before the next game.” I appreciated Blaise’s worry about my schedule but I was a hockey player, and we were six weeks into a season that would span nearly six months. I was used to not having a predictable, set schedule. “Great. I like that plan,” I said, hoping to calm his worries. “Have you managed to get flight details yet?” Blaise let out a sigh that was clearly relieved, his ...