Page 80 of Pucking My Grumpy Accidental Husband

The locker room feels like a war council when we walk in. Every single player is there, from the rookies who usually keep their mouths shut to the veterans who've seen every kind oforganizational bullshit imaginable. The energy is electric, angry, and completely focused.

"There they are," Jamie announces, jumping up from where he's been holding court near the center benches. "Dr. Bennett, we need to talk."

"It's just Tessa now," she says quietly. "I don't work here anymore."

"Like hell," growls Zack, our left wing who's built like a brick shithouse and has the vocabulary to match. "You're part of this team. Harrison can't just erase that with some corporate paperwork."

"Zack is right," Chen adds, looking up from his laptop. "I've been researching wrongful termination law. Harrison is on shaky legal ground, especially if we can prove this was retaliation."

"It was definitely retaliation," I say, settling Tessa onto a bench between me and Jamie. "He moved up my Boston deadline to midnight tonight. Trying to force me to choose."

"What a fucking coward," spits Torres. "Can't handle that his star player found someone who makes him happy."

"So what's the plan?" asks Kevin. "Because I'm not playing for a manager who treats people like shit."

Jamie grins, and I recognize that look. It's the same expression he gets right before he scores a goal that shouldn't be possible. "Funny you should ask. We voted."

"Voted on what?"

"Unanimous team decision. If Harrison's still here after the board meeting tomorrow, we're going on strike. Refuseto practice, refuse to play, refuse to do media. Complete shutdown."

Tessa's eyes widen. "You can't do that. You'll lose everything."

"No," says Zack firmly. "We'll lose hockey games. You lost your career because some asshole couldn't handle that women can be both brilliant and beautiful. There's a difference."

"The union is backing us too," Chen adds. "I called the player rep. Harrison's violated so many protocols with his little surveillance operation that they're chomping at the bit to make an example."

My phone rings, and when I see "Ma" on the screen, I almost ignore it. But something makes me answer.

"Hey, Ma."

"Dax Patrick Kingston, what is going on? Emma's been seeing things online about the team, and?—"

"Can you put me on speaker? I need to talk to both of you."

"Hold on... okay, we're both here. Emma's practically vibrating with curiosity."

"Hey, big brother," Emma's voice comes through. "Jamie texted me something cryptic about standing up for principles. What's happening?"

I look at Tessa, who nods encouragingly. "I'm about to turn down the Boston offer."

Silence. Then: "What?" from both of them simultaneously.

"Harrison fired Tessa today. Wrongful termination, trying to force me to take the trade. I told him I'd quit first."

"Oh honey," Mom's voice is soft. "Are you sure about this?"

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life."

"Good," Emma says fiercely. "Fuck Boston. Sorry, Mom."

"Language, Emma," Mom chides, but there's pride in her voice. "Though I have to say... I agree with the sentiment. That team doesn't deserve you if they're part of this mess."

"Actually," I correct, "Boston doesn't know what Harrison's doing. He’s probably also manipulated them into expecting an answer by midnight."

"So what are you going to tell them?" Mom asks.

I look at Tessa, who's listening to this family conversation with tears in her eyes. "That I'm exactly where I belong."