Page 40 of Perfectly Wedded

I hold up my hand to interrupt. “Hold on. What does Sloan’s injury have to do with my current hockey contract?”

Zach slowly brings his fingertips together. “Should she continue to have health issues, she might need additional care. More hospital stays. Additional travel to Cleveland. We don’t want there to be a situation in which you’re asking for more time off. We expect you to adhere to the contract—sick wife or not.”

So that’s what this is about. They’re worried about me breaking my contractual obligations because of Sloan’s health.

“I won’t break my contract,” I say firmly. “She’s going on a new medication that will hopefully resolve her issues. From what the doctor has said, this new drug should keep her from relapsing anymore.”

“And if it doesn’t?” Zach asks. “Then what?”

I don’t say anything because I haven’t thought that far ahead. There never was a question of whether thiswouldn’twork. We went into the marriage determined that when Sloan made a full recovery, we could decide what to do at that point.

“We want you to know that we’re on your side,” Zach adds.

Ironic, because it doesn’t feel like it.

He taps his fingertips together. “But we also want you to know that if you’re interested in a no-movement clause, we may need you to make some concessions. Just in case.”

I frown. “What kind of concessions?"

“In order to add a no-movement clause to your contract, we’d need to negotiate a lower salary,” Jimmy says. “But we might be able to get some performance bonuses instead. And given your talent, you’d probably have no problem meeting those goals.”

I shift in my seat. One minute I’m dreaming of playing for Tampa, and the next I’m being asked to renegotiate my salary with the team. This feels like I’m being punished for getting married, even though I know that’s not the case. Sloan’s health is a liability, and everyone here knows it.

“Whatever it takes to add that no-movement clause, I’ll do it.”

Jimmy holds up a hand to stop me. “Don’t rush into it, Vale. Go on your honeymoon. Talk to your wife about it, and then give me an answer. That’s when we’ll renegotiate your contract. If you add the no-movement clause, you’re turning down Tampa’s offer. You realize that?” He levels his gaze at me.

“Of course I do,” I say, my voice scraping like a knife across wood.

It’s always been my dream to play for the NHL. I’d be a foolto turn them down. But what choice do I have? I made a promise to her. Asking her to uproot her life right now would be unfair and selfish. I can’t even consider it.

Zach leans back in his chair and folds his hands together. “Good. Because I wouldn’t want you to rush into things. Giving up the NHL this year is a big decision. If your marriage is important, I’m sure there will be no concerns about adding a no-movement clause into your contract, even if this limits your future.” His gaze penetrates through me.

Limits my future?In other words, give up my dream. Possibly, for good.

Jimmy nods. “I’m sure you’ll make the right decision.” He wants me to be sure I know how this affects my career.

A hockey player already has a limited shelf life. Four and a half years, on average. If I give up the next year or two for Sloan, there might never be an opportunity to play for Tampa.

If I knew she wanted to stay with me forever, there would be no question about this decision. I’d sign the new contract in a heartbeat. I’d stay with the Crushers until I retired from the sport.

But if I’m only doing this for Sloan’s health, then what will be left for me when the marriage is over?

Nothing.Not Sloan. Possibly not even an NHL career.

I’ll be a washed-up hockey player with nothing to fight for.

Which means there’s only one thing I can do before I sign my life and NHL dreams away.

Hold on to the one dream that’s still possible.

Convince Sloan to really be my wife, in every sense of the word.

FIFTEEN

Sloan

“You ready for this?” Vale asks when I finally get my seat belt buckled in the airplane. The last week has been a blur, like a video clip sped up to triple speed.

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