Page 5 of Rule 3: Never Fake Marry the Coach's Son

“I need to call Tanako,” Pappa says, already reaching for his phone.

“That could have gone worse,” Daniela offers.

“He’s not a bad person,” I say. “He deserves to stay.”

“He hired the wrong agent.”

“That was on the team’s list of recommended agents! God, remember what his English was like three years ago? We didn’t help him.”

Daniela shrugged. “He should have done his due diligence. We’re not liable for that. That list was issued before either of us got here. Oskar, you only arrived last summer.”

“It’s so awful.”

“Not every part of this job is good, Oskar. Most of it is.”

“He really doesn’t want to go to Russia, Daniela. It’s just...wrong.”

“Uh-huh.” Daniela rises, smoothing her skirt. “I have another meeting. Thanks for being here.”

She swooshes out of the conference room, and I follow, my heart pounding.

CHAPTER THREE

Dmitri

Music thumps through Finn and Noah’s apartment, and puck bunnies swarm the space in their slinky, glittery dresses. My teammates recount our latest win, embellishing details until the women practically drag them to their apartments.

Finn still throws a great party, even if he’s wildly devoted to his husband. They dance in a corner, staring at each other as if they’ve just handed each other the moon.

I make my way through the dancing women and the eruption of high-pitched giggles and baritone chuckles, clutching my tumbler. I might be at a party, but partying is the last thing I feel like doing. Some people carry plates of Mexican food. Burritos and nachos, things I won’t find in Russia.

I plop onto the leather sofa and stare at Boston Harbor. Lights twinkle over the water. The sky is clear and perfect, no large cumulus objects separating me from the stars light-years away.

Beside me, Luke’s boyfriend Sebastian is curled on Luke’s lap. Clearly, I’m not in Russia yet.

“Hi, handsome.” Madison, Finn’s neighbor, topples beside me, filling my world with her thick floral scent.

She sprawls, rearranging her long, slender legs and red-backed stilettos.

I grin at the display of perfectly shaped flesh. “Nice heels.”

“Enjoying the party?” Her voice is sultry and sexy, and she flicks her long dark lashes up. A smirk plays on her lips.

We both know what’s coming next.

This is where I say the party’s a bit too noisy, and this is when she reminds me that she has a whole quiet apartment on the other side of the wall.

We’ve done this before.

Madison is always ready for a good time, something I’m normally a strong proponent of.

I don’t say it though. Something tightens in my chest.

I can’t stop thinking about anything except my return home.

The door opens, and more guests flock into the apartment, followed by Oskar. The light settles on his navy velvet blazer, and I notice the moment another guy’s eyes flare, and he saunters toward him.

The guy is tall and blond, and I hate him at once. My veins bubble, and my eyes narrow. I may as well be on the ice, observing a player on the other side move too close to the puck.