Page 64 of The Hockey Pact

"She's talking to her parents now," I said, glancing over to where Riley was wiping tears from her cheeks as she nodded at whatever her parents were saying. "It's tough."

"Tell her we're here for both of you," my mother said firmly. "Whatever she needs."

"Even Dad?" I asked, only half-joking.

My father sighed heavily. "Even me. She's family now, however it started."

The simple acceptance in his words made my throat tight. "Thanks, Dad. That means a lot."

After promises to keep them updated, I ended the call just as Riley finished with her parents. She came back to the couch, her eyes red but her shoulders straighter.

"How'd it go?" I asked, pulling her close.

"Better than I expected," she said, leaning into me. "They were hurt about the deception, but mostly concerned that I was forced into something." Her lips curved in a small smile. "Once I explained that it was mutual and that we've developed real feelings, they calmed down. My dad actually said he suspected something wasn't quite right at the wedding, but figured we had our reasons."

"Perceptive guy," I murmured.

"Your family?" she asked, nodding toward my phone.

"Shocked but supportive. Even my dad, which I didn't expect."

Diane, who had been quietly working at her desk during our family calls, rejoined us. "Now for the hard part," she said. "The team and the public."

My stomach clenched at the thought of facing my teammates. Their trust was essential on the ice, and I'd been living a lie in the locker room for months.

"The team first," I decided. "I'll talk to them before tomorrow's practice."

Riley squeezed my hand. "Do you want me to come with you?"

I considered it, then shook my head reluctantly. "I think this is something I need to do alone. As captain."

She nodded, understanding in her eyes. "What about the public?"

"One exclusive interview," Diane suggested. "With someone respected who'll give you a fair hearing. We control the narrative, emphasize the genuine relationship that developed, and move forward."

It sounded simple when she put it like that, but as Riley and I left Diane's office, I knew the most difficult conversations were still ahead.

The locker room fell silent when I walked in the next morning. Twenty pairs of eyes tracked me as I moved to the center of the room, still in street clothes while they were partially geared up for practice.

"I'm guessing you've all seen the news," I began, surveying the faces of men I'd gone to battle with all season. Some looked merely curious, others betrayed disappointment or confusion.

"Is it true?" Cooper, our veteran defenseman, asked bluntly.

I took a deep breath. "Yes."

The room erupted in overlapping questions and exclamations. I held up a hand, waiting for quiet. When it came, I continued without excuses or justifications.

"Riley and I entered into a legal arrangement at the beginning of the season. I wanted the captaincy, she neededfinancial help for her restaurant, and we agreed to a temporary marriage that would benefit us both."

"So it was all fake?" Johnson asked. "Even at the hospital visits and team dinners?"

"It started that way," I acknowledged. "But it didn't stay that way."

From the back of the room, Max spoke up. "For what it's worth, guys, I've seen them together a lot. And I'm telling you, whatever the initial setup was, what's between them now is absolutely, undeniably real."

I shot him a grateful look before addressing the room again. "I know this complicates things, especially with the playoffs coming. I deceived the team ownership and all of you. If you feel I shouldn't wear the C anymore, I'll understand."

Cooper studied me intently. "The way you've led this team has nothing to do with who you're married to or why. That part's between you and management." He paused. "What I want to know is—are you and Riley actually together now? For real?"

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