“Some are sticking with me. I’ve parted ways with a few, but that doesn’t mean I’ll be going easy on you guys today. In fact, Genesis has expressed interest in sponsoring Francois, which proves he is extremely marketable.” The hockey gear company had reached out a few weeks ago, and I prayed they were still interested.
Harper held up both hands. “Shush, no shop talk! Ray will pitch a fit.” She rubbed my arm. “You have a great support network and so many people who love and care about you. While we’re all business in here, just know that we have your back out there.”
“Thanks, guys. I really appreciate that.”
Harper shot off a text. “Okay, let’s call Ray back in here and get down to brass tacks.”
The lawyer returned, his face creased in a frown. He showed his phone screen to Harper, whose lovely green eyes grew as wide as pucks.
“It looks like your ex-boyfriend is the least of your problems, Lo.” She turned to me, her lips in a wry curve.
“When were you going to tell us that you’re Mrs. Alexei Nazarov?”
Chapter Forty-Six
Hockey star Alexei Nazarov Secretly Marries his College Sweetheart!
Russian-born power forward Alexei Nazarov hasn’t even started playing for his new team, the Chicago Rebels, but he’s already making headlines in the Windy City. The news out of Las Vegas is that Alexei got hitched to former hockey pro, now sports agent, Lauren Yates, in September of last year. The two met at the University of Michigan fifteen years ago when they went through the hockey programs there. Shockingly in this media-drenched world, the happy couple managed to hide their nuptials for almost a year, even going so far as to have Lauren provide cover in a relationship with another man. (Yikes!) But recent events have overtaken them, as Lauren’s boyfriend, Thad Covington, is currently under investigation for securities and investment fraud, with many of the targets professional athletes. (Yes, we’re confused, too!)
* * *
While there is no evidence that Alexei knew how involved his wife was in Covington’s schemes to defraud players, some of whom were her clients, this development has certainly cast a shadow over the Russian’s upcoming Chicago debut. As for Lauren, we hear she’s losing clients faster than the wicked slapshot for which she was known back when she was one of the first female superstars in the women’s game. What a tangled web …
* * *
Congrats, Alexei and Lauren! We here in the Hot Goss bullpen have no doubt that secret nuptials, federal investigations, and investment scams aside, the two of you can make it work.
-@Hot Goss
Alexei
* * *
Theo
Let me be the first on this text chain to congratulate you, Nazarov. Can’t believe you kept that to yourself. And I made you sliders at the weekend!
NoBo
Yeah, congrats, Naz. What’s this about sliders?
Me
Thank you. It is good to be out in the open.
Jacob “Dingaling” Bell
But she was with that other guy, right? The one who stole players’ money?
Me
Mere details. She has been my wife for a long time.
NoBo
Can’t believe Covington pulled this crap. Glad I never invested in anything.
More important, where were these sliders and why am I only hearing about them now?