Page 97 of Pucking My Grumpy Accidental Husband
"But it's already public property," Cole points out. "The media's going to analyze and speculate whether you write a book or not. At least this way, you control the narrative."
"And you get paid obscene amounts of money to tell Harrison to eat shit," Jamie adds helpfully. "Which, let's be honest, is kind of the dream."
I look around the room at these guys who've had our backs through everything, who went to war for us when Harrison tried to destroy our careers. They're right, and I know it. We're already poster children for workplace romance scandals. Might as well use the platform to help people instead of merely enduring the scrutiny.
"There's something else," Martinez says, checking his phone. "Just got word about playoff matchups. We made it in, boys."
The room erupts in cheers and chest bumps, but Martinez isn't done.
"First round opponent is Boston."
The celebration dies immediately. Every eye in the room turns to me, and I feel Tessa's hand tighten in mine.
"Boston," I repeat, my voice flat. "The team I turned down. Twice."
"The team whose GM personally called to sweeten their offer," Tessa adds. "This is going to be a media circus."
"It's going to be a bloodbath," Jamie whistles low. "They're going to paint this as the ultimate revenge narrative. Rejected lover versus the one who got away."
"Except I didn't get away," I say firmly. "I chose exactly where I wanted to be."
"Still," Chase shakes his head. "National television, sports media going crazy, your personal life dissected by every talking head with an opinion about hockey romance..."
"Sounds like the perfect time to announce a book deal," Cole grins. "Control the narrative before it controls you."
Martinez stands up, his expression serious. "Whatever you two decide about the book, you decide together. But I need to know your heads are in the game for these playoffs. Because facing Boston is going to be emotional as hell, and I can't have my captain distracted by what-if scenarios and media bullshit."
"My head's exactly where it needs to be," I stand up, pulling Tessa with me. "Right here, with this team, with this woman, ready to show Boston exactly what they missed out on."
The guys cheer again, but I'm focused on Tessa's face. She's got that look—the one that means she's made a decision and it's probably going to change everything.
"Let's do it," she says quietly, but her voice carries in the suddenly silent room. "The book deal. All of it."
"You sure?" I ask, searching her eyes.
"I'm sure. If we're going to be the public face of workplace relationships anyway, let's make damn sure we're holding the right poster."
The team explodes in cheers again, but all I can focus on is the way Tessa's eyes have gone gold with determination. Fuck, I love this woman. Her strength, her courage, the way she faces impossible decisions and somehow makes them look easy.
"Alright, you beautiful bastards," I address the room, "we've got a first-round series to prepare for and a book deal to finalize. Let's go make some history."
As the guys file out, Jamie grabs my arm. "For what it's worth, I think you're making the right call. Both calls. Boston's going to regret letting you slip away."
"Boston never had me to begin with," I reply, pulling Tessa closer. "I was always meant to be here."
An hour later, we're back in my apartment, the signed book contract on my kitchen counter and the weight of our decision settling between us like electricity before a storm.
"So we're really doing this," Tessa says, pouring herself a glass of wine with hands that are steadier than mine feel. "Book deal, media circus, telling our story to the entire world."
"Having second thoughts?" I ask, moving behind her to wrap my arms around her waist. She melts back against my chest, and I bury my face in the curve of her neck, breathing in that vanilla and coffee scent that's become my definition of home.
"Third and fourth thoughts. But not changing my mind." She turns in my arms, setting her wine aside. "I keep thinking about all the women who'll read our story and realize they are dealingwith workplace bias and will see that competence and personal happiness aren't mutually exclusive."And all the dickhead managers who'll think twice before pulling another Harrison," I add, my hands sliding down to grip her hips. "Plus, the advance means I can tell any GM who tries to control my personal life to go fuck himself."
She laughs, that throaty sound that goes straight to my cock. "Very romantic. You should definitely include that in the acknowledgments."
"I'll put it right after the dedication. 'To Tessa, who makes me want to burn down the patriarchy and build something better in its place.'"
"God, you're such a book boyfriend," she breathes, her hands sliding up my chest. "Reading philosophy, fighting discrimination, making declarations that would make romance novelists weep with envy."
