Page 68 of The Kennedy Rule

“How can he ask you to deny that!” Bouchard exclaims.

“It’s bullshit,” my dad grumbles.

“It’s total bullshit,” I say.

“Why isn’t Connor suspended?” Tavish asks. “It takes two to tango, doesn’t it?”

Bouchard looks over his shoulder at him. “There’s a reason this is called the Marshal Rule.”

“Fair point,” Tavish concedes. “But I still don’t understand. Ishe forcing you two to break up? Or is it enough for you two to deny you were ever together?”

I turn my gaze to him. “What do you think?”

Tavish crosses his arms and slumps in his seat. “What a prick.”

“The prickiest of pricks,” Bouchard says. He looks straight at me. “You’re not gonna do it, are you?”

“Does it seem like I have a choice?”

“You always have a choice, son,” my dad says.

“Sure,” I say. “But punching his lights out isn’t going to reinstate me for our first game back on Tuesday night.”

“It would feel great, though,” Bouchard says while wearing a devilish grin.

Internally, I agree with him.

“So what now, then?” Tavish asks.

“Unfortunately, I’m suspended until Connor Sr gets what he wants.”

“Which is what?” Tavish asks.

“For me to forget about mine and Connor’s relationship. For us to pretend like it never happened at all.”I hang my head and sigh.

“More bullshit,” my dad continues to grumble.

I point at him because he’s right. “But unfortunately, he’s made it clear it’s the only choice I have if I want to continue to play in the league.”

“Wait a minute, though,” Bouchard says. “How does he even expect this to work? Everyone saw Connor kiss you. It’s been everywhere. There’s already fanfic being written about you two.”

My eyebrows lift up. “I’m sorry. What?”

“You know what? Never mind.” Bouchard traps his beer between his knees, then holds up his hands. “Forget I said anything. You don’t want to travel down that rabbit hole.Iregret traveling down that rabbit hole.”

Tavish looks at him. “DoIwant to travel down that rabbit hole?”

Bouchard twitters his head. “No. I have seen and read some shit I cannot unsee or unread. Traumatizing.”

I start pacing again in front of them. “Can we focus, please?”

“Sorry. Continue,” Bouchard says.

“What’s the Marshal Rule?” Tavish asks.

“The Marshal Rule is something he’s about to get approved by the league that would make it against the NHL’s rules for players to date.”

“But that’s a ridiculous rule!” Bouchard exclaims.