Page 133 of Rule 1: Never Accidentally Marry Your Teammate

Are the owners watching? God, what is this? Why did Coach Holberg condone this? Maybe he wants to announcea lifetime achievement award? Or a new charity initiative? I could see why Finn would have been invited to present this. He’s good at talking.

Or at least, he’susuallygood at talking.

Now he’s a mess. He’s more newborn colt than graceful NHL player.

“It’s okay,” I whisper. “It will be fine.”

Finn’s eyes soften. “Right. Some of you know that I married Noah Fitzpatrick after we won a game in Vegas.”

I suck in a sudden jolt of air. I didn’t expect him to mention our wedding. Why is he saying that?

Is he trying to explain to the public that we’re getting divorced? Is this a PR finessing thing? Because why wasn’t I contacted about this? There are a million things that could go wrong with trying to explain that to the public in person. I mean, it’s not their business. And Finn could turn into an oddly nervous wreck, which seems to be what’s happening now.

Did someone make him do this? I can’t ask him what he’s doing when he has a microphone in his hand, though the thought definitely occurs to me.

I look at the owner’s box. Tanaka has an appalled look on his face, and I snap my gaze away to Coach Holberg. He looks appalled and anxious. Yeah, not an improvement. I then move my gaze to the players who look...confused.

Some of them are whispering. For some reason, Troy leans forward and rubs his hands together.

Huh. Is he not as close to Finn as I thought? Maybe it’s a strangegoalie thing.

“But some of you also know,” Finn said, “that I tried to get an annulment for that marriage.”

Everyone leans forward, and my legs wobble. It’s all my body can do to keep my heart from sinking to the ground.

“I owe everyone an apology for that. But the main person I owe an apology to is my husband.”

This is going to be all over the news.

The thought springs into my mind, and my heart gallops. No, this is not good.

I want to sink into the ice. I want to fling myself into the boards and tuck myself in the corner and not come out until the cleaning staff drags me. I absolutely do not want to stand on the ice, as I’m being filmed, as Finn explains to everyone that his marriage to me was bad.

Unless...

A thought occurs to me, but it’s too absurd. No, I’m not going to hope for...that.

My heart thrums all the same.

I stare at Finn uncertainly and try to tell myself not to hope for the impossible.

God, I am so never getting over him. Maybe my activity in life is to love him, no matter if we’re together or not. And maybe that’s fine. Maybe that is why I am here on earth.

“I did want an annulment,” Finn says into the microphone, and I flinch.

I have to say, this is not Finn’s most lovable moment.

Clearly, I was absolutely foolish to hope for...that.

His eyes widen, as if he’s said something he didn’t want to, as if he’s reading something on my face he doesn’t like.

Was I supposed to look enthusiastic when he announces to the world his desire for an annulment?

“But that’s because I didn’t want to start our relationship tied to each other. I mean...” Finn rakes a hand through his golden-brown curls. “I’m saying this wrong. I’m sorry. What I mean to say is... Noah, will you marry me? For real?”

My eyes snap open.

I stare at him.