Jace leaned forward. “He hasn’t used any of that against me.”
“I’m not accusing him.”
“He’s benched me when I deserved it.”
“I believe that too.”
“I don’t want people thinking he manipulated me.”
Tessa’s voice stayed even. “They might.”
Jace recoiled a little, not from her, from the truth.
I hated that I couldn’t shield him from it.
Tessa looked at me. “And people may think you favored him.”
“I haven’t.”
“They may think you overcorrected to hide it.”
I had no answer for that. Because she was right. Every decision could be reinterpreted once the relationship had a name.
She continued, “If ownership finds out from someone else, they will move fast and defensively. Their priority will be the franchise. Not your relationship. Not your personal lives. Not even fairness, at least not at first. Containment.”
Jace’s knee started again.
I reached for him under the edge of the desk, then stopped myself.
Tessa noticed. Of course she did. She didn’t comment.
“What happens if another player notices?” she asked.
“Depends who,” Jace said.
“No. It depends how. If they notice because you tell them, that is one situation. If they notice because they walk in on something, see a message, or feel roster decisions are compromised, that is another.”
He nodded, eyes fixed on the floor.
“What happens if media gets involved?” she asked.
I said, “It becomes bigger than hockey.”
“Yes. Sexuality, marriage, infidelity, power, favoritism, locker room culture. They will use all of it. Some outlets will pretend concern while feeding the machine. Some fans will besupportive. Some will be vicious. Your families will get calls. Olivia may get calls. Vanessa may get calls.”
Jace whispered, “Fuck.”
Tessa’s expression softened for the first time. “That is why we’re having this conversation now instead of after a camera catches you looking at each other the wrong way.”
Silence settled in the office.
Jace rubbed both hands over his face. “So what do we do?”
“I’m not legal counsel,” Tessa said. “You need that. Separately and possibly together, depending on what counsel advises. You need to understand league policy, team policy, contract language, and disclosure obligations. You also need to decide what outcome you’re willing to accept.”
I looked at her. “Meaning?”
“Meaning if the relationship continues, one of you may need to leave the direct reporting structure.”
