Page 86 of Perfectly Wedded

He avoids looking directly at me as he sorts through a pile of papers. “I’ve been told to keep it strictly confidential.”

He opens a folder and takes out two identical contracts and slides them toward us. “As we discussed previously, we’ve offered the no-movement clause in your contract. But like your agent warned you, it doesn’t give us flexibility, so we’ve made adjustments to your salary and given you some performance bonuses instead. They don’t make up for your previous contract, but it’s the best we can do.”

I look over the numbers. They’re definitely much lower than I’d expected. But I’m doing this for Sloan, not for the money. Isn’t that just what I told my agent?

Jimmy furrows his brow as he looks over the contract. “Seems like a big difference from his last one. Especially since Tampa would love to have him.”

Zach leans back in his chair. “If he wants to stay, this is the offer.” Then he glances at me. “Of course, he’s free to turn it down and move to the NHL.”

He’s got me in a chokehold, and he knows it. It’s not that he’s exploiting the situation. I’m the one asking for the no-movement clause—an exception to our original deal. If this is the price I have to pay to get it, then I’ll sign.

“Where’s a pen?” I say.

Jimmy’s eyes widen. “Maybe you should discuss it with Sloan. It’s a big decision, Vale.”

I shake my head. “I’ve already decided.”

Jimmy doesn’t know that Sloan hasn’t heard about the no-movement clause yet. I planned on telling her after I signed the contract. Maybe it’s because I’m afraid she’ll try to talk me out of it, but this is my decision alone. My way of proving I’m willing to sacrifice anything for her. If I never make it to the NHL, I’ll accept that—just to stay close to her.

Zach hands me a pen and I sign my name at the bottom.

“Just for the record, I’m planning on obliterating those performance bonuses.”

Zach smirks. “I’m sure you will.”

There’s a knock at the door as Jaz pokes her head inside. “Mr. Marco said that he needs everyone in the conference room now.”

When we arrive, Mr. Marco is sitting at the head of the table, along with the rest of the administrative staff. Everyone is quietly waiting for whatever announcement is about to shake things up.

I find a chair in the back, alongside Brax.

“Where have you been?” he asks. “We’ve been waiting on you.”

“In a meeting with Jimmy and Zach.”

Brax frowns. “What’s Jimmy doing here?” He knows that when an agent shows up, there’s only one explanation.

“Later,” I mouth to him.

Mr. Marco clears his throat. “If you’re wondering why I called this meeting—don’t worry, the team is not in financial trouble. We’re still playing hockey.”

A few of the guys visibly relax. Mr. Marco nods to Libby, who immediately starts handing out a stack of papers.

“When I bought this team, it was like pouring money through a bucket with a hole. We’ve managed to keep our heads above water, but we have to roll with the changes,” Mr. Marco explains. “Unfortunately, the plan we had with our last insurancecompany is no longer an option, so we’re discontinuing our contract with them.”

In the past, whenever insurance came up, I’d tune it out. But now that I’m married to Sloan, every detail matters. I sift through the papers in front of me, find the new insurance website and get on my phone to look up details.

“We were as surprised as you when this happened,” he says. “And we apologize for the last-minute change.”

Most of the guys nod and accept whatever Raphael Marco says, but that’s not good enough for me. As soon as the meeting ends, I’m on the phone with the insurance company. After a long wait, a customer service agent tells me the prescription medication Sloan is on isn’t covered. It’s too new and there aren’t enough studies to prove it works.

“Are you sure there isn’t another way we can get this medicine covered?” I ask.

On the other end, the man taps his keyboard. “Her doctor can try to appeal the denial but there are no guarantees.” He doesn’t sound hopeful.

“And if that doesn’t work?”

“There is one more thing,” he says slowly. “An organization that provides financial assistance for new drugs. You could check into that.”

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