Page 131 of Mr. Swoony

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Conor

I hate to leave Eloise right after we land in Chicago, but I have no choice if I want to continue playing hockey. We have the Uber drop me off at the rink, and she continues on, meeting Jade and Kyleigh for breakfast somewhere. After today, our marriage will no longer be our little secret.

I kiss her goodbye and walk into the locker room.

I drop my bag and raise my hands. “I have an announcement to make. I’m a married man!” I show off my left hand.

“What the hell?” Rowan comes over to me.

“Beat you to it,” I say, then point at Henry. “Beat you too.”

“You got married?” Tweetie asks.

“And you didn’t invite us?” Henry scowls at me.

“Three-day trip to Vegas,” I say.

Coach Buford comes out of his office. “What’s going on out here?”

“Pinkie got married,” Alvin says.

He lifts his gaze for a moment. “Congratulations,” he deadpans. “The rest of you listen up. There’s been a development with this whole social media thing the league is pushing. Gill just got the axe, which I think we can all agree is a good thing for him and us.”

Everyone laughs. The guy just wasn’t meant for that job.

“Since there’s no one else waiting in the wings, and the season is already underway, and we’re one of the favorites to win the Cup, they’re sending in the boss. This Tedi Douglas is going to use us as an example to show others what’s possible, so get ready to put those hockey smiles on display, boys.” He walks back to his office without another word.

The three of us all look over at Tweetie, who doesn’t seem as surprised as the rest of us.

“Fuck off and go play Monopoly.” He stalks toward the bathroom.

Things are about to become very rocky around here.

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