Chapter 19 #3
I snuggled into Julian’s backside as I spooned him. My alarm would sound any minute, so I’d have time to dress for the team breakfast. I might hit the snooze button for once. Lying beside Julian, the man I loved, was worth being a little late. As I nuzzled his shoulder, he murmured.
Hard knocking vibrated through the room. “Alex? I need to speak with you,” Grant Mercer’s voice threaded through the door.
“Fuck.” With my pulse shooting through the roof, I scrambled off the bed and darted my gaze around the room for my clothes. Where the hell were they? “Julian, get up and put something on. Your father is here.”
“He what?” He rolled to his back and sat up.
“Alex? I’m sorry it’s so early, but it’s urgent,” Grant said.
“Oh, my God.” Julian jumped from the bed, snatched his briefs and sweatpants, and dashed into the bathroom.
I spied my joggers and briefs. “Just a minute, Mr. Mercer. I’ll be right there.” I skimmed my clothing on and threw a t-shirt over my head. Fucking hell. How early had he arrived in town?
My phone alarm blared through the room.
“Shit.” I rushed to it, shut it off and then stomped to the door and peeked into the bathroom for Julian but didn’t see him. The shower curtain blocked the view of the tub. He must have hidden behind it. This was ridiculous. I whispered, “I’m opening the door.”
He murmured, “Okay.”
Taking a calming inhale, I straightened my shoulders and swung the door open. “Good morning, Mr. Mercer. What can I help you with?”
His jaw tensed, and he pushed past me, trudging into my room. “Where is he?” He inspected the bed and then twisted around, his gaze turning hard. “I know my son is in here.”
Oh, fuck…I had to lie. “I’m not sure what you mean.
Were we supposed to have an early meeting this morning?
” I pinched my lips. Did I sound convincing?
As my gaze dropped to the floor, it caught on Julian’s team sweatshirt crumpled in the corner.
Would Grant know it was Julian’s? Hell, it could be mine.
With a sneer he said, “Don’t bullshit me, Alex. I know what’s going on. I’ve already been to Julian’s room, and the bed is made. It’s not the first time—”
“I’m here, Dad.” Julian stepped from behind me. “How did you find out?”
Grant’s eyes grew wide, and then he shook his head with a scowl.
“I…Jessica, our PR team manager, informed me a few days ago. She felt it was imperative for me to confirm it and deal with it in private first, given that you’re my son.
” He stepped toward us. “I meant to confront you both when we got home, but I couldn’t find Julian this morning.
Listen, I don’t have a problem with you dating.
I don’t have a problem with you, Alex, being, uh, queer.
I think I’ve made myself clear on that point with how I’ve handled the queer players on the team. ”
My raging heartbeat slowed while my mind raced with scenarios.
Had Jessica seen us together somehow? What about Ian?
Had he tattled on us? He’d worked with Jessica on the charity event.
Surely Margot wouldn’t have…Fucking Margot.
Heat bristled in my chest, and I grabbed Julian’s arm.
“It’s my fault. Margot probably blabbed to Stephanie. ”
“Did this come from Stephanie?” Julian threw a glare at his father.
“It doesn’t matter who told whom. What matters is how we handle this.
” After sliding out the desk chair, Grant fell into it.
As he leaned forward, he planted his elbows on his knees and threaded his hands together, fixating on us.
“The problem is, we have a strict policy against players and coaching staff fraternizing. And this is, uh…” He slid a glance at the bed.
“Well, falls into that category.” With a long exhale, he straightened.
“I can’t let this slide because you’re my son, Julian.
In fact, it makes it look a hell of a lot worse.
According to what I’ve heard, you’ve just started earning respect from the players.
If I let this continue, morale could suffer, and you’d lose everything you’ve gained.
” He narrowed his eyes. “Hell, I’d lose respect, too.
They’d see it as me granting you special privileges because you’re my son, and you know as well as I do, I don’t do business that way. ”
“Move me to another position where I’m not working with the coaching staff.” Holding his hands out, Julian stepped closer to his father. “I’ve reviewed the org chart, but I don’t understand enough about the positions to—”
“No, Julian. You need to be where you are. I need you to learn about hockey from the ground up. It’ll make you a much better owner when the time comes.” Huffing, he shook his head.
Here it comes, the moment I’ve been dreading. I grabbed Julian’s hand as my stomach churned.
“I’m sorry, Alex, but I’ll have to trade you. You’ve broken franchise policy and as such, your no-trade clause is void.” He shifted his gaze to Julian. “Unless you want to stop seeing each other.”
“No, absolutely not.” Julian growled and tore his hand from mine to point his finger at his father. “You can’t do this.”