21. Tessa #2
Before I can respond, both our phones start buzzing again—more calls, more texts, more reporters wanting our story. The circus is just getting started, and we have a choice to make: hide until it passes, or step into the spotlight and fight for the narrative we want to tell.
"Fuck it," I say, standing up and smoothing down my shirt. "Let's go remind everyone exactly who we are."
"Together?"
"Always together. Even if it means burning down the entire sports media establishment in the process."
"Especially if it means that," Dax grins, and for the first time since this nightmare started, I believe we might actually survive it.
Hell, we might even win.
An hour later, I'm standing in the team's media room wearing my most professional blazer and trying not to vomit from nerves. The place is packed with reporters, cameras, and enough recording equipment to broadcast our humiliation in high definition to the entire fucking world.
"You ready for this?" Dax asks, straightening his tie. He looks devastatingly handsome in his navy suit, all controlled power and quiet confidence, and I want to drag him into the nearest supply closet and remind myself why we're fighting for this.
"As ready as someone can be for career suicide," I mutter.
"It's not career suicide. It's career evolution."
Before I can ask what the hell that means, Martinez steps up to the podium looking like he's about to declare war on the entire sports media establishment.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming. We're here today to address recent media coverage regarding Dr. Tessa Bennett and Dax Kingston, and to present some facts that seem to have gotten lost in the sensationalism."
A dozen hands shoot up immediately, reporters practically climbing over each other to ask questions.
"We'll take questions after our statements," Martinez says firmly. "First, I'd like to introduce Jamie Torres, who has some thoughts about Dr. Bennett's professional impact."
Jamie steps forward, and I'm struck by how serious he looks without his usual grin.
"I've been playing professional hockey for six years, and I've worked with a lot of mental performance coaches.
Dr. Bennett isn't just the best I've ever seen—she's revolutionized how our team approaches psychological preparation. "
"Can you be more specific?" someone calls out.
"Before Dr. Bennett arrived, our team satisfaction scores were at sixty-two percent.
Six months later, they're at ninety-one percent.
Player confidence metrics have improved across every position.
Individual performance indicators show marked improvement in high-pressure situations.
" Jamie looks directly into the camera. "Those aren't opinions. Those are measurable fucking facts."
"What about allegations of preferential treatment regarding Kingston?" another reporter shouts.
"What about them?" Jamie shoots back. "Dax has been held to the same standards as everyone else, sometimes higher because Dr. Bennett knows he can handle the challenge.
If you want to talk about preferential treatment, let's discuss how she spent three extra hours helping Kevin work through panic attacks that were affecting his game, or how she developed specific protocols for Chase's performance anxiety.
She doesn't play favorites—she makes everyone better. "
Luca Cruz steps up next, looking like he could demolish half the room with his bare hands.
"I want to address this bullshit about organizational disruption.
Our team chemistry has never been stronger.
We trust each other, we communicate better, and we perform at a higher level because Dr. Bennett helped us understand the psychological aspects of teamwork. "
"But what about the relationship's impact on team dynamics?" someone asks.
"You mean how Dax became a better leader? How he's more patient with younger players, more invested in team success, more emotionally available as a captain?" Luca shrugs. "Yeah, that's been terrible for team dynamics."
The sarcasm in his voice could cut glass, and several reporters actually laugh.
"What about the secret marriage aspect?" another voice calls out. "Doesn't that suggest deception?"
Dax steps forward, and the room goes quiet. When he speaks, his voice carries that commanding presence that makes everyone pay attention.
"We kept our relationship private because we knew there would be people who couldn't separate our personal lives from our professional capabilities.
We were protecting Dr. Bennett from exactly the kind of character assassination you're seeing now.
" His jaw tightens. "A relationship that makes both parties better at their jobs isn't a scandal—it's a success story. "
"Are you saying you have no regrets about declining the Boston trade for personal reasons?"
"I'm saying I declined the Boston trade because Chicago is my home, this team is my family, and building something meaningful here with people I care about is more valuable than any contract.
" Dax looks directly at the camera. "Dr. Bennett didn't influence that decision—she helped me understand what I actually wanted versus what I thought I was supposed to want. "
Martinez steps back to the podium. "We'll take three more questions."
"Dr. Bennett, how do you respond to allegations that you manipulated Kingston for financial gain?"
I stand up, my hands surprisingly steady as I approach the microphone.
"I respond by pointing to measurable professional results.
Player improvement statistics. Team performance metrics.
Organizational satisfaction scores. If manipulation produces those kinds of positive outcomes, then every professional athlete in the country should be so lucky to be manipulated. "
"But the appearance of impropriety?—"
"The appearance of impropriety is created by people who can't imagine a woman succeeding professionally while also being loved personally.
It's created by outdated assumptions about gender roles and workplace relationships.
" I lean into the microphone. "I'm good at my job because I understand human psychology and athletic performance.
I fell in love with Dax Kingston because he's an incredible man who challenges me, supports me, and makes me want to be better every day.
Those two facts aren't mutually exclusive. "
"Final question," Martinez announces.
"What's next for your relationship? Are you planning to divorce?"
Dax stands up and moves beside me, his hand finding mine.
"What's next is we continue building something real together, both personally and professionally.
We continue proving that love and excellence aren't contradictory concepts.
And we continue working with an organization that values character and results over gossip and speculation. "
"Thank you," Martinez says. "No more questions."
As we file out, reporters keep shouting questions, but I'm focused on the warmth of Dax's hand in mine and the realization that we just declared war on the entire sports media establishment.
"That went better than expected," I murmur as we escape to Martinez's office.
"Check your phone," Jamie says, grinning again. "Social media's exploding."
I pull out my phone to find hundreds of notifications. Twitter is absolutely losing its mind, but surprisingly, not all of it's negative.
"@ChicagoSports: 'Finally, a sports psychologist who actually improves team performance instead of just cashing checks. #TeamTessa'"
"@HockeyAnalytics: 'The statistical evidence is overwhelming. Bennett's impact on Chicago's performance metrics is undeniable. This is professional excellence, not scandal.'"
"@WomenInSports: 'A brilliant woman gets attacked for being brilliant AND loved. Shocking. Support Dr. Bennett! #RelationshipGoals'"
But there are plenty of ugly comments too, calling me everything from a gold-digging whore to a manipulative bitch who's destroying professional sports.
"Don't read those," Dax says immediately, noticing my expression. "Focus on the supporters."
"There are a lot of supporters," I admit, scrolling through dozens of positive comments from fans, other sports psychologists, and even some players from other teams.
My phone rings with that unknown number again, and this time I recognize the area code. "I think it's the publisher."
"Answer it," Martinez says. "If you're going to control the narrative, might as well do it with a book deal."
I swipe to accept. "Dr. Bennett speaking."
"Dr. Bennett, this is Rebecca Whitmore from Harmony Publishing. I've been watching your press conference, and I have to say, you two are exactly what the sports world needs right now."
"Thank you. I have to ask—is this offer legitimate?"
"Completely. We're prepared to offer a significant advance for a co-authored book about relationship equity in professional sports, with a focus on challenging gender assumptions in male-dominated industries. Full marketing support, national book tour, potential television interviews."
I look at Dax, who nods encouragingly.
"What kind of timeline are we talking about?"
"Fast. We'd want to strike while this story is still relevant. First draft in six months, publication within a year. Are you interested?"
"We're very interested. But we'd need to discuss terms and approach."
"Of course. I'm flying to Chicago tomorrow. Could we meet?"
I put the phone down but keep Rebecca on the line, the room falling silent for a moment.
"So," Jamie says finally. "You're going to write a book about this clusterfuck?"
"We're going to write a book about how love and professionalism can coexist," I correct. "About challenging outdated assumptions and proving that personal happiness actually enhances professional performance."
"That's either brilliant or completely fucking insane," Luca observes.