“Sorry sir,” I say and turn to Christine. “I’m sorry. I’m not frustrated with you. I’m mad at myself.”
"So… where do I find your registry?" Coach asks, stepping fully into the room. He's an ex-player himself and he's held his physique pretty well. So now we're basically filling every inch of space in this tiny room and I'm getting claustrophobic. "Want to send a wedding gift. Or should I just send it to the hospital Jordan Garrison is going to put you in?"
“My dad will likely beat him to the punch. Quite literally.”
“Have you talked to Avery yet?”
“No. My mom is trying to calm him down first.” I swear under my breath.
“So look, the problem with this,” Christine points to her screen, “is that if anyone gets wind of this, you become the cheater in this marriage. You and Gabby signed this four months ago but you were married six months ago.”
“I didn’t know I was married!” I still feel a wave of shame though because, technically, she’s right.
“I get it. But sadly, our ranks aren’t always loyal. Someone could leak this.”
“Also, the last thing we need right now is a divorce scandal,” Coach adds. “Crew filled me in a bit on this marriage, and I get it wasn’t serious, but you need to learn how to make better jokes, Nash.”
“I’ve learned that lesson. Believe me.”
“Anyway, if you get divorced now, it’s all the media will be talking about. Because Tate is on this team too and his sister is bound to be at games,” Coach explains. “And if this paperwork between you and Gabby ever gets out, and you are divorcing, it makes her the other woman. Yeah, it isn’t true, but the media won’t give a shit. Trust me. They loved to fuck with me when I was single and did some stupid shit.”
“Coach has a dick pic that still circulates the puck bunny sites,” Christine announces, and I blink.
"Thanks for that, Christine." Coach frowns and clears his throat. "I hate to say she's right. And we're trying to repeat here, Nash. The world is against us winning back-to-back Cups and we don't need to give them anything to help screw with us. I can't tell you what to do but we'd appreciate it if you stayed married until the playoffs are over."
“What?”
“Come on, you’ve been married all season, what’s a few more weeks?” Christine says with a weak smile. “I mean we’re not saying anything has to change. Except you should probably hold off on your casual time with other women.”
“It’s playoffs. I don’t want a relationship in playoffs.”
“Well, since you’re not really in one it shouldn’t matter if you delay the annulment until the off-season, right?” Coach leaves the room before I can answer because clearly, he doesn’t care what I have to say.
He’s giving me an order. I am not allowed to get divorced.
After he’s gone Christine stands up. “You should rejoin the team and get ready for practice.”
“I can’t guarantee that Tenley will let me stay married.”
“I know. But she’s a hockey kid too. Grew up in a dynasty that rivals yours. She’ll understand.”
I leave her tiny office. I was sweating in the cramped space and now that sweat is starting to chill on my body. I shiver. At least I think it’s from the sweat. It might be from the realization I have to stay married to that hellion Tenley Garrison.
Chapter 6
Tenley
I used to love our family group chat. But today, it’s the worst thing in the world.
THEO: YOU’RE MARRIED? To a WESTWOOD?
HARLOW: Wait. What? Crew’s hot, grumpy twin?
SHELBY: He’s only grumpy because Tenley is always a b*tch to him.
AUNT LEAH: Out first elopement! How fun.
CONNER: Leave it to Ten. Tate has a secret baby so she one-ups him with a secret marriage.
