Page 63 of Pucking My Grumpy Accidental Husband
"Just a minute, Torres," I call out, then turn back to Tessa. "We're not done with this conversation."
"Yes, we are." She's already moving toward the door. "This is exactly what I was afraid of. We can't even have a private conversation without someone hunting us down."
"Tessa—"
"Forty-eight hours, Dax. I need forty-eight hours to figure out how to save my career."
She opens the door and slips past Jamie without making eye contact, leaving me standing there with my best friend staring at me like I've lost my mind.
"Dude," Jamie says slowly, "what the fuck was that about?"
"Nothing. Just team stuff."
"Right. Team stuff that requires Dr. Bennett to look like someone just killed her dog and you to look like you want to murder someone."
I push past him into the hallway, but Jamie grabs my arm.
"Wait. Just... wait a fucking second." His expression shifts from confusion to realization. "Holy shit. You and Dr. Bennett. You're seeing her, aren't you?"
"Torres—"
"That's why you've been acting so weird. Why you're suddenly invested in mental performance sessions. Why you actually listen when she talks during meetings." Jamie's voice gets louder with each revelation. "Dude, are you insane? Harrison will fire you both if he finds out."
"Keep your voice down."
"How long has this been going on?"
"It's complicated."
"Complicated how? It looks pretty simple. You're fucking the team psychologist, and you're about to get caught."
The crude way he puts it makes me want to slam him against the wall, but I force myself to stay calm. "It's not like that."
"What's it like then?"
"It's..." I struggle to find words that won't sound completely insane. "She's not just some hookup, Jamie. I'm in love with her."
Jamie stares at me like I just announced I'm joining the circus. "You love her? Dax, you've known her for three weeks."
"Sometimes that's all it takes."
"Sometimes that's called a midlife crisis, and you're twenty-eight."
"Thanks for the support."
"I'm trying to save you from yourself!" Jamie runs both hands through his hair. "Look, I get it. She's gorgeous, she's smart, she makes you want to be a better person. But dude, this is career suicide."
"What if it's not? What if Harrison's just being an old-school asshole who thinks he can control everyone's personal lives?"
"Then you fight it the right way. Through proper channels. With lawyers and union reps and media attention."
"Media attention that would destroy her reputation."
"Maybe. Or maybe it would expose Harrison for the controlling dickwad he is."
I can see Jamie's point, but the thought of Tessa's name being dragged through sports media makes my stomach churn. She's already been through that once in Seattle.
"I need to think about this," I say finally.
