Chapter 50 Zhuri
fifty
Zhuri
“I’m so fucking happy that everything worked out,” Isla smiles, sitting next to me on our locker room bench while we re-lace our skates before tonight’s preseason game.
After leaving our meeting with Sean, we met up with Nico, Bodhi, Wes, and Isla to share everything that had happened. Since Nia couldn’t meet up, I texted her the basic details so she’s aware. I’m sure she’ll grill me about it later.
“So am I.” My grin hasn’t left since this morning.
My career is safe.
My relationship is safe.
Those are the two most important things to me right now.
I still wish we knew who sent the pictures, but at least the damage has been contained.
“Have you two decided when you’ll go public?” Bet asks.
I shrug. “Not yet. We’ll figure out the right time, though. We can’t keep it secret for long if we want the team to still trust us as their co-captains.”
“Sid and I aren’t sure either. I’m less concerned about the impact on us, though. I hope the team can accept both of our relationships.”
“I’m optimistic,” I state. I lower my voice now as I look at Isla and Bet. “Cameron told me he loved me last night.”
“What?!” Elisabet practically shouts before quieting down. “That’s amazing!”
“Did you say it back?” Isla prods, leaning forward in excitement. She may not date, but she seems to enjoy a good love story.
I nod and smile. “I did. I know it all happened so fast, but I really do love him.”
“You’ve always been cautious, Z,” Isla says. “You wouldn’t say it if you weren’t sure. Who cares how fast it was? When you know, you know.”
“Speaking from experience, Icy?” Bet teases.
Isla rolls her eyes. “No. Never been in love, don’t want to be either. I do read books, though.”
My phone vibrates in my bag, and I pull it out and smile.
Cameron
I miss you
Zhuri
You saw me half an hour ago
Cameron
So?
Zhuri
You’re adorable
Cameron
I know
I love you, baby
Zhuri
I love you, too, Cammy
“Loverboy must’ve said something sweet,” Isla smirks, “with a smile that bright.”
“Shut up,” I reply playfully.
Bet rests her head on my shoulder. “I love seeing you this happy, Z.”
My phone vibrates again, and I expect to find another text from Cameron.
But I don’t.
I gasp as I read the message before my phone slips from my hand onto the floor.
“What’s going on, Z?” Isla looks at me in concern, but I can’t even speak.
Cameron and I just got another message from our “mysterious” sender.
Enjoy your lucky break, but I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be here watching, waiting until I finally fucking have you. Your careers will be over before you know it.
Only they made a mistake this time.
They used their regular phone, not the one with the unknown number.
Bet picks up my phone, and she and Isla stare at it in shock.
We know this person.
Why do we know them?
Because they’re our fucking teammate.
Michael Perry.
We suddenly hear loud shouting from the hallway, and I’d recognize my boyfriend’s voice anywhere.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” he shouts angrily, and I jump to my feet and run out the locker room door, Bet and Isla following right behind me.
Cameron stands in front of a cowering Michael surrounded by all the men from our team as the women come to join us.
“You’ve got a lot of fucking nerve, Perry. ”
I should try to calm Cameron down. I know I should.
But I’m just as angry as he is, so instead I march over and join the tirade.
“What the hell is wrong with you, Michael?” I yell.
“You!” He points a finger right at me. “You’re my fucking problem. You have no business being a fucking co-captain.”
“Why is that, hm? Because I don’t have a dick? I might not, but I can guaran-fucking-tee my dick is bigger than whatever shriveled up appendage sits between your legs.”
“You bitch,” he spits out, seething.
Cameron gets right in his face. “Watch how you’re speaking to my girlfriend, asshole.”
And I guess we just went public.
“Girlfriend?” Asher says in surprise.
Cameron glares out at the team. “I said what I said, and if anyone else has a problem with it, speak the fuck up now.” Our teammates are deathly silent. “That’s what I fucking thought.”
“What about the no-fraternization clause?” Clara asks.
“New rules across the league,” I reply. “Sean will be speaking to everyone about that soon.”
Michael seethes at us. “So what, Sean decided it was okay because it’s his co-captains that were fucking?”
“Watch yourself,” I assert, happy right now to be taller than he is. “It’s okay because the teams get to decide the rules now. It would have ended up being okay even if you hadn’t blackmailed us.”
Theo looks at Michael in anger. “You blackmailed your goddamn teammates? The fuck is wrong with you?”
“I did what I had to do,” he bites. “Cam fought her fucking ex the other day. Wasn’t hard to put two and two together after that, and it gave me an opportunity to show Sean what a terrible idea this league is. I’m not taking orders from a fucking woman.”
“What about your coach, Perry?” Michael pales as Marissa, Nils, and Sean join the crowd in the hallway. “Your coach is a woman, too.”
“Coach Leverson…”
Sean steps up now. “What is going on out here?”
“It was Michael,” Cameron states. “He sent us another message, but used the wrong phone. He’s the one who was blackmailing us.”
Sean crosses his arms and stares at Michael. “Is this true?”
“They don’t deserve to be in charge of us.”
“That isn’t your call, Mr. Perry, and it’s rather amusing to hear from our fourth-line center.”
Michael scoffs. “I can do my job better than the girls can.”
“If that were true, you’d be the starting center over Isla on line two.
” Sean steps closer, his tone clipped and short.
“One thing I have never tolerated on my teams is disrespect for your fellow teammates. The behavior you’re displaying is despicable and has absolutely no place on the Comets.
We’re going to be making some changes. Gather your things.
You’re moving down to the Asteroids locker room, and we’ll have another player take your place on the Comets. ”
Michael’s jaw drops. “You’re fucking joking.”
“Try me then. You’ll find out how quickly you won’t be playing in this organization at all.”
“You’ve been a piss-poor teammate, Perry,” Cameron bites.
“You’re pathetic, Kovacic,” Michael sneers. “What would your father think about how disappointing you are? You’re supposed to be some kind of legacy.”
Cameron wavers. “He’s not involved in this.”
Michael calling Cam pathetic and disappointing is the final straw. He’s heard those words from his dad far too many times, and I know he’s in his head now, no matter the progress he’s made over the past month.
“The only one disappointing is you,” I scoff. “You’ve destroyed your career over your own inflated ego, and look where that got you. Cameron has always been one to stand up for his teammates, no matter their gender, and that’s far from pathetic.”
“Back in the locker rooms,” Nils shouts, trying to contain the crowd. “You have a game to prepare for, and now you’re down a player.”
Sean, Marissa, and Nils take Michael with them as the team starts dispersing, but I grab Cameron before he can get away.
“Are you okay?”
His eyes are glassy as he shakes his head. “No, but I’ll manage anyway.”
“He’s wrong, Cameron.” I place my palm on his cheek. “I know what kind of man you are, and Michael Perry could never hold a candle to you.”
He gives me a small, forced smile before pecking my palm. “Thanks, Z. Go get ready for the game. I’ll see you on the ice.”
“Okay,” I nod before softly kissing him. “I love you.”
His smile now seems more genuine. “I love you, too, ljepota.”
With that, Cameron heads back into the men’s locker room, and I slowly make my way back to mine.
The mood is somber as the girls all talk about what just happened.
None of us has our heads in the game, so tonight might be an actual bloodbath…