Zhuri continues. “He sent a picture of us to Sean, and we met with him yesterday morning. That’s when we learned that the league has decided to leave fraternization up to the individual teams now. After our conversation with him, Sean has decided to remove the clauses for the team. Michael was furious when helearned that, and it turned into a screaming match outside the locker rooms.”
Noah nods. “Seems like I’m caught up now. So what’s the meeting for?”
I look at the rest of our teammates. “Well, the team wasn’t too thrilled to hear about our relationship when that came out.”
“Look at it from our perspective,” Clara says. “Our co-captains were sneaking around with each other, breaking rules the rest of us were abiding by. It’s not a good look.”
“It isn’t,” Zhuri sighs. “We can’t take that back, but what we can do is assure you this won’t have an impact on the team.”
“How could it not?” Reggie asks.
I speak with as much confidence as I can muster. “Before it came out yesterday, how many of you who didn’t already know about us thought something could be going on?” No one raises their hands. “Exactly. Zhuri and I have been together for over a month now, and you had no idea because we didn’t let it impact the team.”
“A month?” Theo says in surprise. “Damn.”
“How do we know it won’t change going forward?” Marie questions.
“You have to trust us,” Zhuri replies. “Outside of not telling you about our relationship, we haven’t given you a reason to not trust us. We’re the same players we were before. That won’t change just because we’re dating.”
“It’s just weird, I guess,” Venda states. “It’s weird that you two were screwing around while no one else knew. How could you keep an entire relationship from your teammates?”
Elisabet looks to Sidney, who just nods, before she speaks up. “They’re not the only ones.” Our teammates look at them curiously as they come to stand beside us. “Sidney and I have been dating for a year, and you had no idea.”
Lina’s jaw drops. “Another relationship?!”
Sidney shrugs. “Ours predates the Comets’ being formed, but yes, another relationship. But just like with Zhuri and Cameron, you wouldn’t have known because Bet and I don’t play favorites on the ice.”
“This is a lot to process.” Aili pinches her brow.
“I know it is,” Zhuri says. “But we want you to know that you can still trust us to lead the team.”
“It might take some time,” Amalia says, “but we’ve played with Z for years. I know we can trust her. It’s going to be weird at first, but I think we can get used to it.”
“All we ask for is an open mind,” I add. “I’m very serious about Zhuri, so I genuinely hope you can all come to accept that.”
“I’m serious about you, too,” Zhuri smiles, taking my hand.
A couple of our teammatesawwwwhen I lean over and kiss her.
Today went better than I hoped.
I know it’ll be an adjustment for everyone, but getting to be out in the open with Zhuri is everything I’ve wanted.
I never wanted to hide her, and now I can shout from the rooftops just how in love with this woman I am.
The future seems a little brighter now.
fifty-two
Zhuri
“Niceshot,Cam,”Vendasays as we sit back down on the bench. “Can’t believe that didn’t go in.”
“New York has a damn good goalie,” he chuckles, more at ease than I’ve seen him in days.
Tonight’s game against the Neon is much less tense than the game against the Wyverns. Our teammates have had a few days to sit with the news of our relationship—Bet and Sid’s as well—and while things aren’t perfect, it also doesn’t feel like we’re under a microscope.
The change won’t be immediate, but they’re starting to come around, and that’s all we could have hoped for.
