Page 114 of Hooked On Them

“Dominic.” Kessler sighed, taking off his glasses and putting them on the table. “This will bring even more attention to your… relationship.” He looked at Carter briefly before looking back at me.

“With all due respect, sir, this isn’t just about the team. It’s about my family, Nora’s reputation, and our daughter.” My voice didn’t waver. “I’ve spent my entire life letting him control the narrative. Not this time.”

Carter nodded beside me, a silent show of support.

I straightened in my seat. “A press release looks like we’re hiding something. A front-facing response shows we have nothing to hide. I’ve spent too many years ducking and weaving around him. Not this time.”

Coach Lovell studied me for a long moment. “You sure you’re up for this? The press will be out for blood.”

“I can handle some reporters.” The confidence in my voice surprised even me.

“Let’s say we do this,” Kessler said slowly. “What exactly do you plan to say?”

“The truth. That Nora and I are expecting a child together. That my relationship with her, Miles, and Carter is personal and has nothing to do with hockey. That my father’s accusations are false, and that I’m focused on winning the Cup, not his bullshit.”

Theresa looked like she might faint at that last part.

“We’ll need parameters.” She was already typing. “Pre-approved questions. A moderator. Time limits.”

Kessler exchanged glances with Lovell, then nodded. “This afternoon. After practice. We’ll set it up in the press room.”

Relief washed through me. I hadn’t realized how much I needed to take this head-on until the decision was made.

As the meeting finished and I stepped into the hallway, I felt lighter than I had since last night. For the first time in my life, I wasn’t living in my father’s shadow. I was stepping directly into the light.

* * *

I tugged at my tie, already feeling like it was strangling me. The press room buzzed with energy, every seat filled, cameras positioned throughout the space like predators waiting to pounce.

“You ready for this?” Theresa adjusted my microphone with hands that moved efficiently despite her obvious anxiety.

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

I stepped up to the podium, the lights immediately obscuring my vision. Photographers’ cameras clicked in rapid-fire succession, creating a strange percussion to accompany my thundering heartbeat.

Theresa took her position beside me and cleared her throat. “Good afternoon, everyone. Dominic Wilson has a statement to make regarding recent public comments about his personal life and will take a few questions afterward. We ask that you respect the parameters we’ve outlined.”

I squared my shoulders and leaned into the microphone. “Thank you all for coming. I’m here to address the statements made by Garrett Wilson onPuck Around and Find Outlast night.”

The room fell silent, everyone leaning forward slightly like they were afraid to miss a word.

“First, yes, Nora Hastings and I are in a relationship. Yes, we’re expecting a child together. And yes, we’re also in a relationship with Miles Collins and Carter Campbell.”

The click of cameras intensified. I could practically see the headlines writing themselves.

“What I won’t stand for are accusations that any of us have compromised the integrity of this team or this series. Nora Hastings is one of the most professional people I’ve ever met. Her father being the coach of our opponent is a coincidence, not a conspiracy.”

I paused. “If anything, someone should be investigating Nora for being too good at her job. She coached more than half of the Storm’s roster last season. Wherever she goes, teams seem to end up competing for the Cup.”

A ripple of surprised laughter spread through the room, breaking the tension.

“The relationships in my personal life are just that: personal. They don’t affect what happens on the ice. If anything...” I couldn’t help the small smile that crept onto my face. “They’ve made me a better player and a better person.”

A reporter in the front row raised his hand, and Theresa nodded at him.

“Dominic, how do you respond to the accusations that there’s been improper information sharing between Brett Hastings and Nora Hastings?”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. “Completely false. The Storm are a formidable opponent, and they got the best of us last night. As for information sharing, I ask, what exactly would she have shared that isn’t visible from watching footage? Nora maintains the highest professional standards, and anyone who’s worked with her can confirm that.”

---