Chapter Thirty-Seven

NOVA

I’d already had the worst day of my life. Nothing would touch that moment. But this week was shaping up to be a real contender for the worst week of my life. Almost all my clients had ditched me when they’d made the connection between me and the girl they saw on the news. Except for the romance authors—I think they just saw me as inspiration. I’d take it, as long as it meant they stuck around.

The guys were at home, because the team had given them a three-match ban. Sidelining them for three games at the beginning of the season sent a serious message to them, and to their teammates, as well as to the NHL. They were taking this misconduct seriously. I overheard River saying he was worried that they’d pull their contracts at the end of the season, throwing them back into free agency.

I’d done that. I’d been greedy, and this was the result. Sure, I hadn’t thrown a punch, but it was my honor that they’d been defending, like there was any place for that bullshit in modern society. I was the reason their contracts were in peril, all because I couldn’t keep my legs closed.

Magazines and newspaper outlets were hounding me for soundbites and interviews, like I could add anything to the sordid story they’d concocted about me, about my family. Devan kept promising that this would all blow over, but somehow it had gone viral, our unconventional romance, and it felt like it was never going to go away. I needed to get out of this before I was in too deep.

You’re already in too deep, that little voice in my head taunted. But I wasn’t. I wasn’t in love with them. I could get out now with my heart reasonably intact.

That little voice gave a derisive snort at my delusional thoughts, but I refused to listen. Which was why, as the guys were at Rigby’s Player Safety hearing, I packed a bag. One for me. One for Huey.

River had said he’d probably get a four-match ban without pay for unsportsmanlike conduct, and another fine for high-sticking. That was thousands of dollars, and I knew it looked bad on his record. Hockey might be brutal, and fighting might not be as frowned on as it was in other sports, but they weren’t going to turn a blind eye. This thing we had was killing his dream, but he was too stubborn to quit. I’d be responsible for us all.