Page 71 of Pucking My Grumpy Accidental Husband

Jamie whistles low. "Shit, man. You've got it bad."

"The worst part is, I know exactly what she's going to say when I tell her. She's going to look at me with those hazel eyes and tell me I'm insane if I don't take this opportunity. She's going to be completely selfless about it, which is going to make me want to throttle Harrison even more."

"Have you considered that maybe she's right? That maybe taking the Boston offer is the smart play here?"

I look at him like he's lost his mind. "Are you seriously suggesting I choose hockey over Tessa?"

"I'm suggesting that maybe you don't have to choose. Maybe there's a way to make both work."

"How? Boston's three thousand miles away. Tessa's career is here. Her whole life is here."

"Dax, she's a sports psychologist. There are hockey teams in Boston too. Professional athletes everywhere need mental performance coaching."

"You think she'd move across the country for me?"

"I think if you love her as much as you say you do, you should at least give her the chance to make that choice herself instead of making it for her."

Before I can respond, my phone rings. Mom's contact photo fills the screen—the one of her and Emma at my first NHL game, both wearing my jersey and grinning like idiots.

"Hey, Ma."

"There's my superstar," her warm voice fills the room. "How are you, sweetheart?"

"I'm... it's complicated. Actually, I was going to call you. I need some advice."

"Oh boy. What kind of trouble are you in now?"

Despite everything, I smile. "The good kind, maybe. I got an offer today."

"What kind of offer?"

"Boston wants to trade for me. Seven-year contract, captaincy, everything."

The silence on the other end stretches so long I check to make sure the call didn't drop.

"Ma? You there?"

"Boston?" Her voice is barely a whisper. "Your Boston?"

"Yeah."

"Oh, honey." I can hear tears in her voice. "The Boston Bruins want my boy as their captain?"

"That's what they're saying."

"Dax, that's... that's everything you've ever wanted. Ever since you were little and wore that too-big jersey to bed every night."

"I know."

"But you don't sound happy about it."

This is why I love my mother. She can read me through the phone from a thousand miles away.

"It's complicated, Ma. There's someone here. Someone important."

"Someone important how?"

"Someone I'm in love with."