Page 154 of Over the Line

I fumed all through warmups. I should’ve been reveling in my team wearing rainbow jerseys while fans held up rainbow flags and signs. I should’ve been basking in this annual reminder that, despite years of homophobic trash, the League was now an ally. That my team and our fans were allies.

But no, I was just pissed off the entire time because Jack goddamned Arlen was now spreading generative AI fakes about players. Tonight it was just speculation about whether Temo’d had knee surgery he’d never disclosed. Tomorrow… hell, the sky was the limit.

By the time I returned to the locker room after warmups, I was seething. Fuck Jack Arlen. Fuck this bullshit.

I didn’t have much time before I had to return to the ice, but I found our PR director and pulled him aside in the hallway. “Did you hear about the latest video? The one of Temo?”

Travis gave a long-suffering sigh. “Yeah. I guess he didn’t realize it was AI.”

“Oh, bullshit.”

“Hey.” He put up his hands. “We’ve all been duped by them. I will demand a retraction and a correction, and it’ll be posted before the game is over. I promise. And anyway, I can’t imagine anyone taking anything Arlen says as gospel.”

I glared at Travis. “So why is he still allowed in our locker room? He’s posting fabricated videos, Travis. He’s posting blatant lies.” I flailed a hand toward the locker room. “Is he really still going to be allowed in the locker room after he posted bullshit like that?”

Travis pinched the bridge of his nose, then dropped his hand and met my gaze. “You know he will be, and you know exactly why.”

“Oh, I know the reason, I just don’t get why no one will say he’s finally pushed the envelope enough to wear out his welcome.”

Travis pressed his lips together and avoided my gaze.

“He’s a problem,” I said. “He makes everyone uncomfortable. He’s pushy. He’s obnoxious. He’s constantly stirring people up about heritage nights. And now he’s spreading obviously AI-generated videos as if they’re real. Even after Jack retracts it, Temo’s going to be getting questions about that”—I made sarcastic air quotes—“surgery until he retires.” I flailed a hand. “What does Jack have to do to get banned from our locker room? Sucker punch someone?”

Travis sighed heavily. “I get it. Trust me, I do. I can’t stand him, either. But I’m also between a rock and a hard place here.”

“Does his stepdad know about his shit?” I growled. “I know nepotism is a hell of a drug, but he’s gotta have some lines somewhere.”

Travis gave a non-committal shrug. “I’m doing what I can, Saints. I promise.”

He’d told me that many times over the years.

More and more, I struggled to believe him.

CHAPTER 36

GARRETT

With Jasmine’s due date coming up fast, Chris was understandably uneasy about leaving her alone while he went out on the road. Even more so when their plans fell through to have someone with her during his five-game road trip in mid-February.

“Her mom was supposed to come up this week and stay until after the baby comes,” he told me, “but she’s got Covid.” He grimaced. “Is there any chance you can stay at the townhouse while I’m on the road? Just until her mom can come up?”

“Of course. I have to work during the day, but⁠—”

“That’s fine. The other wives and girlfriends from the team are around, and they’ve been spending a lot of time with her. I’m just worried about her alone at night, you know?” He scowled. “Does that make me sound crazy? Or overprotective? She’s an adult, and she can⁠—”

“Chris. Chris.” I put up my hands. “Take it easy, okay? Every dad would feel nervous leaving his pregnant fiancée alone. You’re completely normal, here. Trust me.”

He studied me uncertainly, but slowly, he relaxed. “I am?”

“Absolutely. I was a mess just going to work every day. Going away for eight days right before her due date? Yeah, I would’ve been just as freaked out as you are.” I squeezed his arm. “I’ll stay with her. Don’t sweat it. You focus on hockey, and after this trip is over, you can focus on becoming a dad.”

His smile was a mix of joy, fear, and every imaginable emotion in between. “Holy shit. I’m gonna be a dad.” He eyed me. “When does that start to feel real?”

“About the time they hand you a newborn, send you home, and wish you the best of luck.”

The smile fell and his eyes went huge.

I chuckled. “Don’t worry. You’ve got a ton of support. Including some of us who’ve been down this road a few times.” I shrugged. “And not to brag, but I did manage to keep four newborns alive, so…”