Page 93 of Rule 3: Never Fake Marry the Coach's Son

---

His eyes widen with sudden regret, but it’s too late.

“I don’t know everything,” he backtracks. “Obviously.”

There’s silence in the room. He rises. “This team is too queer. Idiots.”

He stalks out while Coach’s face turns an alarming shade of purple.

“I apologize,” Coach says, his voice tight. “Any other questions?”

The room erupts.

“Related to the game?” Coach specifies through gritted teeth.

Rex’s hand shoots up.

“Rex.”

“Would you say your distracted performance at the beginning of the game today stems from the stress of faking your marriage to Oskar?”

Coach’s face drains of color.

“Um, no,” I say. “Of course not.”

“But you were distracted during the game today.”

“I also scored a goal. I have worries, but I can assure you that they have absolutely nothing to do with Oskar. Marriage is wonderful thing.”

Rex’s brow furrows. He appears unconvinced. I vaguely recall that he went through a messy divorce last year. Maybe expounding about the wonders of love is something he associates with actors on the screen who are being paid millions of dollars to recite lines.

Coach ends the press conference, and we bolt from the room.

“Maybe it wasn’t that bad,” I offer.

“Maybe,” Coach says.

Shit.

But then I see Oskar waiting in the hallway and my chest lightens. I pull him into a hug, kiss him quickly, and keep my arm around him as we follow Coach.

“How was the meeting?”

“Not boring,” I say.

“I’m sorry.”

I shrug. No point rehashing it.

“I need to speak with Tanaka,” Coach announces. “And Daniela.”

“Seriously?” Oskar asks.

“There was...an incident,” Coach says.

“I think Jason just misspoke,” I try.

“He’s been ‘misspeaking’ too much.” Coach’s scowl deepens. “I won’t tolerate homophobia. It was my one worry leaving Sweden for this job.”

“He said something?” Oskar looks up at me.

---