Page 79 of The Worst Pucking Deal

Fuck. The color drains from my face at the mention of my ex husband. “But it’s not,” I rush out. “It’s a genuine marriage. They can’t stop us.”

Sy shifts in his chair and leans over the table, taking both my hands between his. “It is, and we know that. No, they can’t stop us. No one can. But they can…” Shaking his head, he sighs deeply. “They can kick me off the team.”

My shoulders deflate as I sag in my seat. “All this started so you wouldn’t get kicked off the team,” I whisper. “Now that we’ve delivered, they’re still threatening you?” Tears gather in my eyes. I know this is my fault. Fabian is going to do what he can to get Sawyer removed, not just from the team, but possibly from the NHL and any other team.

“I know you don’t want to talk about it, sweet bunny. But before we go into that meeting, I need you to tell me anything I should know. I need to be prepared, no matter how uncomfortable.”

Looking up at him, I blink my tears away and nod. “O-okay.”

“Is there anything I should know about you and Fabian?”

I take a shuddering breath, preparing myself. “We dated many years ago,” I admit. The words taste like ash and I’m barely able to get them out. “My parents arranged it, so I never felt like I could say no. It wasn’t so bad in the beginning, but the longer we were together, the worse he got.”

“How long were you together?”

“About a year,” I confirm, squeezing his hands tight.

Though I know I should, I don’t admit to my marriage to Fabian. Like a coward, I decide to pretend it never happened and instead focus on getting to the arena so we can deal with Tom and Jo.

“And that’s it?” Sy asks, his tone dark. “There’s nothing else I should know?”

“No,” I lie, forcing a smile. “That’s it.”

Sy looks like he wants to argue, but to my surprise, he lets it go and tells me to gather my things. On our way out, he pays the server, leaving a hefty tip.

Exiting the restaurant, we make our way to Sy’s car. Luckily, the reporters have gone so no one disturbs us. With each step, I can’t help but wonder what’s churning in his mind, but I refrain from probing further, unwilling to divulge my own swirling thoughts.

Once inside the car, the tension is palpable, hanging heavy in the air as we navigate the familiar streets toward the arena. The rhythmic hum of the engine fills the silence, a stark contrast to the thoughts racing through my mind.

As we arrive at the arena, Sy cuts the engine and turns to me, his gaze piercing through my defenses. Before I can even open my mouth, he speaks, his tone firm and unwavering. “I know you’re keeping something from me,” he says, his words laced with a mix of frustration and concern. “This is your last chance to come clean.”

I start to protest, but he interrupts me, his eyes holding mine in an unyielding grip.

“No more lies, sweet bunny. Just tell me this, is it something I should know before we go in there?” He points at the arena.

“I’m just nervous, Sy,” I say, my voice tight with tension. “There’s nothing else going on.”

I can feel skepticism radiating off him like heat waves, but I hold his gaze steadily, refusing to back down. The truth is, I’m terrified of what might happen if he found out about my past, about the fact that I was technically married when we started fake dating. The last thing I want is to lose him, but the weight of my secrets threatens to crush me.

Sy’s expression softens slightly, but the concern in his eyes remains. “I can’t help you if you don’t let me in,” he says, his voice gentle yet firm. “Whatever it is, we’ll face it together. I promise.”

I swallow hard, grappling with the conflicting emotions swirling inside me. Finally, I nod, a silent acknowledgment of his offer of support. But deep down, I know that some secrets are too heavy to share, even with the person you love.

Forcing a smile, I say, “It’s just nerves. Jo was really mad on the phone. So I just… I don’t know what we’re walking into.” All of that is true.

Sy cups my cheeks while slowly moving closer until our lips touch. His lips mold the curve of my own with a surprisingly tender urgency that sends a shiver down my spine. I feel his warmth enveloping me, grounding me in the present moment amidst the whirlwind of emotions.

But beneath the surface, guilt gnaws at me like a persistent ache. I know I’m keeping secrets from Sy, and with every fleeting moment of bliss, that guilt only grows heavier. My fingers curl around the fabric of his shirt, anchoring myself to him even as I wrestle with the weight of my deception.

Breaking apart, we both get out of the car, and Sy takes my hand in his, his grip steady and reassuring. Together, we make our way into the arena, and head straight for Tom’s office. When we reach it, I stop Sy from opening the door.

“Wait,” I breathe. He stops his movement and looks down at me. Swallowing harshly, I meet his gaze. “I love you,” I whisper. “Whatever happens, don’t forget that.”

Sawyer

The urgency of her whisper wraps around my heart in a way that makes me want to pull her into my arms and take her far, far away from here. Or get lost in her soft lips or her… nope. Instead of doing any of that, I knock on the GM’s door, opening it without waiting for a reply.

Walking into Tom’s office, I immediately sense the tension in the air. Jo’s and Tom’s expressions are grim, their eyes flashing with an intensity that sets my nerves on edge. But what catches me off guard is the presence of Fabian, lurking in the corner with a smug smirk playing on his lips.

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