Page 223 of Pucking Around

“And the guys are ready to know,” Caleb adds. “Novy and Morrow came to me last week saying the team will support us. The press outside the Rays will eat it up because of Rachel and her family, but inside our team, the guys seem cool. They just don’t want secrets.”

“What is all this about your family, Price?” Coach says, his sharp eyes glaring at me.

“I umm…my dad—”

“Her dad is world famous rock star Hal Price!” Poppy squeals. “You know, front man for The Ferrymen?”

“Christ, why do I keep forgetting that?” Coach mutters, rubbing his face with a tired hand.

“You’re saying the guys know you’re in a four-way sharing relationship with the team doctor and they’re cool with it?” says Andrews, one brow raised.

“Well, they don’t knowallthe details,” Caleb admits. “But they know pieces. Like, Jerry caught Jake and I tonight.”

“And Avery just caught Mars and me,” I add.

“And the guys have been guessing I’m with Rach for months,” says Jake. “We had the form signed and everything. We were just keeping it quiet.”

“Damn,” Coach huffs. “Right, well here’s order number one: stop fucking around in the goddamn barn. I should fire you all for that alone. There will be no funny business on the job. You understand me, Compton?” he says, pointing a finger in his face. “I get even a whiff of you making eyes at Sanford at work, I’ll send you both packing. Same goes for you, Kinnunen. We keep that shit at home.”

“Yes, sir,” Jake mutters. Caleb echoes him.

Coach sighs, glancing at me. “There’s a bigger issue here, Price.”

I go still, holding his gaze. “Sir?”

“Based on what I’ve heard, it sounds like you’ve been engaged in a romantic relationship with—not one—buttwoof my players this season.”

I nod again. “Yes, sir.”

He sighs. “Well, Vicki, correct me if I’m wrong, but she only had clearance from HR with Compton, correct?”

“That’s correct, sir,” Vicki replies.

“No,” Ilmari mutters next to me.

“Don’t,” I whisper, squeezing his hand.

“So, you’ve been romantically involved with Kinnunen,andyou’ve been his primary care provider, yes? You’ve been actively treating him for a groin pull?” Coach asks.

I let out a breath as I nod. “Yes, sir.”

He sighs again, shaking his head. “So, you see our problem. Right, Doctor Price?”

“Yes, sir,” I say again, not daring to let tears sting my eyes.

“Rakas, don’t,” Ilmari growls, lowering his face towards me.

“I’m not going to lie, Ilmari,” I reply, trying to keep my voice calm. “We knew what we were doing. I knew. Jake and Caleb pressed me on it, but I ignored them because I wanted to make sure you got the level of care you deserved—”

“This is all Avery’s fault,” Ilmari snaps, turning his gaze back to the coaches.

“Avery? What did he do?” asks Andrews.

“He’s the fucking worst,” Jake mutters. “Excuse my language, sir,” he adds at Coach.

“The guys all hate him,” Caleb adds. “Some of them won’t even work with him anymore. They all prefer Rachel. Which just pisses him off even more. He’s always riding Rachel’s case and making life harder for her at practice and games.”

Andrews looks to me. “Is this true, Price?”