“They play very well together,” Marissa replies. “I think I speak for both Nils and myself that we’re just as surprised by this as you are.”
Nils adds, “They never gave any indication that they were anything more than friends. They play the exact way you expect regular teammates to play.”
I speak with as much conviction as I can. “On the ice, Zhuri and I are only teammates. We treat each other just as the rest of the team does. It’s only different off the ice. I’m sorry that we broke our contracts, and I’m sorry you found out the way you did, but I’m not sorry for being with her.”
“I’m not sorry either,” Zhuri says, shooting me a soft smile. “I know we’re co-captains, and you expect us to be leaders, but I don’t have any regrets. I’m not ready to give up my career, but I won’t give up on Cameron either.”
“This is serious between you two, isn’t it?”
“Very. I know we started off by not liking each other, but somewhere between all the team get-togethers, photoshoots, and coffees, we fell in love. I’ll never regret that.”
Sean lets out a sigh. “You two might just be lucky.”
Zhuri looks at him in confusion. “What does that mean?”
“It means that the league has decided to leave fraternization up to the individual teams now. Some teams are going to keepthe clause in their contracts; some aren’t. I’ve been undecided up until now.”
“I’m not sure I’m following,” I say.
“I’m saying that you’re no longer breaking league rules because the league rules have changed. Your fate is now up tome.”He pushes his glasses up the bridge of his nose. “Based on what your coaches have said, I see no reason to enforce a no-fraternization clause going forward.”
“Our careers are safe?” I’m absolutely beside myself right now, and I have to know.
“Yes,” he nods. “But that doesn’t mean there aren’t repercussions. You will both be fined fifty thousand dollars for breaking your contracts. As long as that is done, I don’t feel the need to give either of you a suspension. You’ll need to officially declare your relationship with HR, but as long as everything stays as it has within the team, that’s all that will be needed. I’m disappointed to find out that my co-captains were sneaking around, and I’ll need you both to continue to show me you can lead this team without issue, but we’ll move forward once your amended contracts are signed.”
“Do you know who sent you the picture?” I ask.
“I don’t,” Sean responds. “They didn’t tell me who they were, just told me I’d want to see the picture.”
Zhuri shakes her head. “They messaged both of us, too, but we have no idea who it is.”
“Hopefully they’ll leave you alone now, but if we do find out who was behind it, we’ll see what, if any, actions are appropriate.”
Melanie and Patrick hand us our new contracts, and Zhuri and I waste no time looking through and figuring out where to sign. Before we finish, we’re interrupted by someone practically knocking the door off its hinges.
“You can’t punish them!”
We look behind us to see Elisabet running inside as Sidney slowly follows her.
Sean looks at them curiously. “What are you two doing here?”
“You can’t punish them,” she says again. “Zhuri and Cameron still deserve to play. Their relationship has never impacted the team.”
Zhuri tries to get her attention. “Bet—”
“Sidney and I are together as well!”
“Well, that’s one way to do it,” Sid sighs.
“You two are together, too?” Sean asks.
“Yes.” Elisabet stands tall. “You can’t punish them unless you’re going to punish us, too.”
“How long have you been together?”
“A year,” Sidney replies. “We’ve been together since well before the Comets were formed.”
“Exactly how many couples are on my team?”
