When their faces are grim as they walk into my hospital room, I know something went down.
“What is it?” I ask, and none of them answer right away. Of all people, it’s Charlotte who gives me a plain answer.
“The part about them trying to figure out who on the team did this to you, or how the NHL is freaking the fuck out over you being an Omega?”
“The NHL knows?”
Alexi sighs and scrubs his face. “It was leaked, but we don’t know by who.”
“Not gonna lie, Connery, the whole team knew your designation,” Eli says in a calm tone, his hand laced with his Omega.
“Everyone?” I ask for clarification.
“Even coach apparently,” Alexi says.
“He knew? But he didn’t kick me off the team,” I say in surprise.
“You’re a fucking good goalie, and his daughter is an Omega. I’m sure he understands the need for bodily autonomy and being able to follow your passion,” Eli says. My respect for Coach Applegate just went through the roof.
“I put my body through so much trying to hide it,” I say, feeling annoyed that I didn’t do a good job hiding the secret anyway.
“You did the right thing. If another team would have noticed, they would have outed you right away,” Mikael says.
“What do they want to do?” Everyone looks around the room, and even Charlotte is quiet. “What do they want to do?” I ask again.
“They’re considering stripping us of our win,” Alexi says quietly.
“They can’t do that.”
“I don’t think they will. They’re just pissed a stupid rule was broken. I’ll take care of it.”
“You shouldn’t have to take care of it. It was my choice to hide my designation. If anyone should be punished, it should be me.”
“They aren’t taking this from you,” Alexi says.
“They aren’t taking this away from us,” I agree, and every head in the room nods. I thought that I would retire from hockey in peace, but it seems like there's more work to do.
CHAPTER41
“Are you sure about this?” I ask Owen for what feels like the seventieth time.
“I’m not letting them drag the team down for my choices.”
“Right, but the rule was discriminatory in the first place. I just don’t want you being a martyr when you don’t have to be.”
I pull his tie up and straighten up his suit. He looks impeccable. His recovery has included lots of sleep and taking it easy, but he’s adamant that this is something he needs to do.
“They're going to ask about the incident.”
“I know.”
“And?”
“I’ve got it covered,” he says, cupping my face and giving me a gentle kiss. “I’m not going to break, Piper.” He says it so softly, and it takes everything in me not to break apart right now and here.
“I felt all of it, you know. I just… I can’t let anything bad happen to you ever again.”
“I know, baby,” he says with a grin, and I shake my head.
