Page 39 of Perfectly Wedded

I force a smile. “Yeah, nothing to worry about.” The only thingrealin this relationship is how I feel. But maybe—just maybe—if I showed Sloan how I felt, she might take a risk on something more. Or she could do what she always does when she’s scared: shut me out completely. And that’s not an option I want to gamble on.

At least I have Libby on my side. But if my teammates start questioning me, it could destroy the trust we’ve built—and that will definitely affect our performance on the ice.

Trust is earned, not given.

After leaving Libby’s office, I head down to Raphael Marco’s door. I knock once and the door swings open. My gray-haired agent, Jim King waits on the other side, along with our general operations manager, Zach Collins.

“Jimmy?” I say, astonished he’d drop in without telling me.

“Hey, Vale. Congratulations on your wedding.” He shakes my hand a little too forcefully, tipping me off that something’s up.

“I didn’t think anyone else was in here,” I say, taking a step back.

“Oh no,” says Raphael. “We were just waiting for you.”

Heat prickles up the back of my neck.

I slowly lower myself into a leather chair and rub my palms across my pants. I didn’t know there’d be an interrogation squad waiting behind the door.

“This must be serious or else I’m losing my job,” I say with a nervous laugh. “Which would also be serious.”

Raphael and Jimmy both chuckle. Zach, I notice, does not. My heart jumps a beat.

“Rest assured, you’re not losing your job,” Raphael says. “You’re one of the best forwards we’ve ever had, along with your brother.”

I breathe a sigh of relief, but the oxygen still feels like it’s being sucked from the room.

Raphael knits his hands together in the casual way that high-powered bosses do before they bring down the axe. I’m about as comfortable as a lobster over a pot of boiling water. “We just wanted to ask a few questions. Specifically, about your contract with the Crushers.”

Questions about my contract? That can’t be good. I’ve never been questioned about my contractual obligations before.

Zach studies his iPad while Jimmy shifts uncomfortably in his seat. Then Zach looks up at me. “Contracts are evaluated and renewed on a yearly basis, and we realize a player’s life might change in that time. In your case, you got married.”

I clear my throat. “Yes, but that shouldn’t affect my contract.”

“It doesn’t, but we’re making exceptions for you by giving you time off for your honeymoon.”

I look from Zach to Jimmy. “Is that what this is about? Listen, if you need to take away a paycheck to resolve my unplanned leave, then do it. I don’t want to cause trouble.”

Jimmy looks at Raphael. “The boss approved your leave without an additional deduction from your pay. You have him to thank for that gift.”

I turn to the boss. “Thank you, Mr. Marco.”

Zach leans an arm on his leather chair. “Even though some might take offense at getting extra paid vacation time.”

“Has anyone complained?” I think through who might grumble about me getting an extra week of vacation. Jaxon or Rourke? “Obviously, I wasn’t expecting to get married.”

“We realize that,” Zach says, shifting his position. “And that’swhy we brought you in today—to discuss changes.” He looks to my agent for help.

Jimmy takes the cue and leans toward me. “We wanted to ask if you and Sloan have discussed a no-movement clause now that you’re married?”

“Not yet,” I say, realizing it never even crossed my mind. A no-movement clause would keep me from being traded to another team without my consent. It allows a player to remain in one location and is important for married players who want to keep some stability in their families. My brother initiated a no-movement clause after he married Jaz, so it only makes sense that I’d do the same. “But I’m sure she’d feel strongly about not moving away from Sully’s Beach.”

“Before you do, I have news.” Jimmy shifts forward, his eyes glinting. “Our NHL affiliate team has shown an interest in moving you to their team. I was going to mention the possibility of a trade when you returned from Vegas, but then I found out about your marriage and decided to talk with Zach and Raphael on your behalf about your options.”

“Tampa is interested in me?” I blurt out, trying not to act like a kid who’s about to unwrap his first gift on Christmas morning. “I’ve wanted to play for them since high school.”

“They areveryinterested,” Jimmy adds with a quirk of his lips. This is why he’s a good agent. He can sell anything. “Except now that you’re married, we realizedyoumight not be. Sloan’s ongoing medical condition throws a monkey wrench into things.” He looks at Zach and something passes between the two of them. “There are significant concerns about how that will affect you.”

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