Page 132 of The Home Game

Pictures taken on the steps of the municipal building following the brief ceremony reveal the couple wearing matching bands on their left-hand ring fingers.

A small, private dinner to celebrate their nuptials was held at a downtown Toronto restaurant.

In attendance were Bianchi’s parents and the four children he is currently petitioning the courts for custody of. No one from Carlson’s side of the family was present.

Also notably absent were Carlson’s Fisher Cat teammates.

Carlson and Bianchi’s relationship is rumored to be new, so why the rush down the aisle?

A statement from a representative for Bill and Robin Swanson declares, “This relationship and hasty marriage are highly suspicious and the Swansons are deeply concerned for the safety and well-being of their beloved grandchildren. Since the death of their only son, Corey, and his wife, Bethany, last April, Bianchi has prevented them from having contact with their grandchildren. The Swansons want them to be raised in a traditional household and while it’s clear this is a last-ditch attempt of Mr. Bianchi’s to bamboozle the courts into believing he is an appropriate guardian they are certain that justice will prevail and the children will soon be reunited with their family.”

No official statements from the grooms, their representatives, or the Fisher Cats organization have been made at this time.

Fans analyzing photos taken of the couple weighed in with their thoughts.

“Oh, come on,” one fan commented. “The marriage might be rushed but look at the way they look at each other! Remember how terrible Carlson was in that car commercial? There is no way he could fake it!”

Others aren’t so convinced. “Seems sus as hell to me. And keeping kids from their grandparents? That’s cold. Carlson’s SUCH an asshole on the ice. I’m not surprised to hear he’d do something like that.”

Romantic private wedding? Or shady custody grab?

Only time will tell.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Matty was still in a great mood the following morning as he drove to the practice facility.

He belted out the words to the song playing on the radio and when he was stopped at a light a lady in the car next to him shot him a funny look, then did a double-take like she’d recognized him.

He waved cheerfully, too happy to care if she thought he was a weirdo.

It was media day today, and Matty hummed to himself as he walked down the hall, fist-bumping security guards and joking around with the cleaning staff.

He did a quick workout, shaking his ass to the tune playing in his earbuds as he stripped down in the locker room after.

He was still moving and grooving by the time he got done with his shower.

A few guys were beginning to arrive and Matty dropped his towel on the ground so he could grab his uniform. He’d spend the morning posing for official headshots and recording little sound bites and interviews for social media.

It was usually fun. A good way to start off the season.

Tomorrow they’d hit the ground running for training camp and the first pre-season game would be on Sunday.

A sharp pop echoed through the air before Matty felt the sting on his ass.

“Damn it,” he howled, grabbing the spot. That fucking stung. “What was that for?”

He turned to see a grinning Jordan Stokes toss the offending towel in the bin. “What else was I supposed to do when you were shaking that big old thing in my face?”

“Fuck off,” Matty said cheerfully.

“So, I hear congratulations are in order,” Jordan said as he stripped off his street clothes. “Antoni seemed like a good dude. I’m happy for you guys.”

“Uhh,” Matty said. “Thanks. How’d you find out about the wedding?”

Jordan shot him a funny look. “Dude, team chat’s been blowing up all fucking weekend. Didn’t you notice?”

“No. I haven’t been on. Antoni’s parents took the kids so we, um, kind of … tuned out the rest of the world for a few days.”

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