I rub my hands down my face. As uncomfortable as it makes me, it’s easier to let him think what he wants. “Guess you could say that.”
He lets out a deep chuckle. “That’s understandable. You’re newlyweds.”
Keeping my face down, I continue to unlace my skates. I’ve never been great at hiding my facial expressions—I felt my cringe when he said ‘newlyweds.’ I should be more careful and think before I react.
“When are you planning to tell the team?”
I convinced Lily to drop me off and leave before any of my teammates caught sight of her to avoid questions and finish practice without saying a word about it. But he’s right. If I don’t say something, he’ll think there’s trouble in paradise.
The rest of the guys wander in to shed their gear and shower. I might as well get this over with. I attempt a wide grin that I hope is believable.
“No time like the present.” Once I slip off my other skate, I stand up.
Luke lets out a loud whistle. “Listen up. Pay has something to share.”
All eyes are suddenly on me. The words lodge in my throat when I open my mouth. I think my sweat is sweating at this point. “A curious thing happened while I was back home. I…well, I…”
Luke stands and pats me on the back. “Payton got married.”
A mix of disbelieving ‘whats’ and ‘no ways’ break out before several of the blokes walk over and congratulate me. I can see the questions resting in their eyes as they study me, but I keep a smile in place. Coach Markelson shakes my hand and congratulates me. All of it I accept with no explanation. Lily suggested I only divulge details when asked. That most of the time, people won’t ask out of respect for my privacy. Turns out she’s right.
But Wade has never been one to let etiquette deter him. “What on earth possessed you to do that, my English friend?”
I sputter at first, but once again, Luke jumps in. “Love, you idiot. What other reason could there be?”
What reason, indeed? If they only knew.
Luke gives me an affirming nod, then starts conversing with Coach.
I grin. “What he said.”
Wade studies me, doubt clouding his eyes. “Sounds like a whirlwind romance. Did you two elope?”
“No, we had a small private ceremony at my parents’ home just before we flew back.” Movement in my peripheral vision catches my attention. Luke gestures at me while talking to Coach Markelson and Derek, our assistant coach, who nods. I assumed Luke’s sharing his introduction to Lily, since he’s the only one who’s met her so far.
Wade rests his hands on my shoulders. “I guess congrats are in order then, Pay-man. I hope you two are very happy.”
I catch a glimpse of something sad flit by in his gaze, and file it away for another time. Wade’s never mentioned any current or past girlfriends, so now I’m wondering if he might have had a bad experience. That would explain his hesitancy to congratulate me at first.
Why am I even concerned about this? If he knew the truth, he’d probably be relieved. Or angry as hell.
I rush through my shower and then send a text to Lily that I’m almost ready as I get dressed. But before I can leave, Coach stops me.
“Payton, Olivia and I would love it if you and your new wife…?”
Takes me a second to realize he’s waiting for me to fill in her name. “Lily.”
He grins. “If you and Lily would come over for dinner, Friday. Do you think she’d be up for that? I can only imagine what a big adjustment this is for her.For both of you.”
I’ve always known Coach to run on the diplomatic side—part of what makes him a great coach, but when it comes to his team, he’s usually very forthright. But there’s a hesitancy to his words, as if he’s picking them carefully.
I can’t think of a reason to decline. Not one good enough to make sense that won’t fuel whatever’s concerning him. Just what I need—an evening spent not only convincing him and his wife that I’m married but also assuaging their concerns that I made the biggest mistake of my life because I have a feeling that’s what this is about.
“I’ll check with Lily, but I’m almost certain she’ll agree.”
“Good man. You’re already thinking like a ‘we.’ Took me months to get the hang of that.”
I think I just got marital advice when this is more about making sure my bodyguard approves. “Right.”
