Chapter Ten

Rider stared at the paperwork on his desk as he waited for Ben to return. He had sat on this for a few days, trying to decide how best to handle things. In the end, there was no such thing as bad publicity and the team was getting it in droves right now.

A perfunctory knock landed on the door before it opened. Ben strolled in with Murphy on his heels. Since he had called Murphy away from practice, he looked slightly irritated, but was obviously trying to hide it behind a bland smile. Rider couldn't say Murphy didn't care about winning or didn't take his job seriously. That was why Rider had chosen him. That, and he had known the move would keep Lev on the team.

"Ben says you need a word."

Rider nodded and motioned toward the chair across from his desk. "Yes. Have a seat. I won't steal too much of your time."

Murphy sat.

Rider didn't dance around the topic. "Some paperwork came across my desk, showing a change in address, last name, and marital status. Plus, all the fucking media outside. Would you care to explain?"

Murphy shrugged. "I got married, moved, and changed my last name."

Rider fought not to smile at Murphy's deadpan response. "It's a bit more than that, I'd say, since my phone hasn't stopped ringing."

Murphy's hands rose and fell, as if he had nothing. "There's nothing in my contract that says I can't get married."

Rider narrowed his eyes.

Murphy smiled. "At least I changed my last name and you're not reprinting fan apparel."

A loud, tired-sounding sigh burst from Rider. It was out of his control. "I suppose I can be grateful for that. This is unheard of territory, though. On one hand, I'm relieved Lev likely won't be leaving us now. On the other, people will watch you extra hard over this move. He still has to be the star and you still need to be the constant professional."

Murphy nodded. "That's always been the case. The Chuckers are in my blood. You know that." An evil-looking grin touched his features. "Plus, I love to win, and Lev would never let me down."

For a moment, Rider stared at Murphy, trying to look put out by the situation. Secretly, he was thrilled. Despite the shitstorm, Murphy had saved his career with this move. Rider had paid more for Lev than he had ever risked on another player, with only the bare minimum of hope Lev would choose to stay. Now the guy wouldn't be going anywhere. Rider needed this win. He had been too close to championships only to lose them for too many years now. The owner had one boot on Rider's ass and was ready to kick. Everyone thought Tanner Paige was just some past-his-prime team owner with no skin in the game. The truth was, he was a mean bastard who expected to turn a profit every year with this team, or there would be hell to pay, and Rider would be the one who paid it.

"Okay. I trust you. That's why I hired you. Now win us some more games."

Murphy stood. "That's always my plan."

Rider gave him a sharp nod and watched until he disappeared. He fought not to look Ben's way. Unfortunately, Ben wouldn't be ignored.

"Awww. That was almost human of you."

Rider rolled his eyes as he looked Ben's way. Ben's hazel eyes danced with humor—the way they always did. It was almost always at Rider's expense.

"I'm working on it." For him. Everything was always for him. One day, Ben would see it. Then Rider didn't know what he would do. Likely, nothing good.

Murphy sat in his office, waiting for Lev to shower and change. They had known as soon as he filed that paperwork a possible problem waited for them. They had also decided together, if the worst should happen, Murphy would simply do what he loved. He would go back to working with players with physical disabilities. On his part, that took a bit of pride-swallowing since Lev made enough to keep Murphy from ever working again. Murphy didn't want to make Lev feel like he was there for the money. Thankfully, it hadn't ended being an issue. Secretly, Murphy had banked on Rider recognizing this marriage meant Lev would stay with the team. Rider was all about winning. Murphy could give him that.

Lev appeared in the doorway, looking as if he rushed to get to Murphy. His still wet hair stood on end and one leg of his jeans was tucked into this boot. The thought of Lev needing to get to him in a hurry brought a smile to his lips. "What did Rider say?"

Murphy's smile grew. He loved this man so much, it never stopped surprising him. "We're good."

Lev's shoulders relaxed. "Good. I didn't want you to be upset." He moved to sit on Murphy's desk, facing him.

Murphy ran his hands up Lev's thighs. "I would've been okay, no matter what. At the end of the day, I still have you."

"Damn right." Lev's growl turned into a happy-looking smile. "Did you use the bit about how we could've changed my last name?"

Murphy laughed. "As a matter of fact…"

Lev's smile faltered. "I still question that decision. My name came from nothing. Yours came from love."

"Ours came from love."

A sweet smile touched Lev's lips. "True. The greatest love." Lev paused, as if hesitant. "I've been thinking."

"AKA worrying."

Lev laughed. "Only because we are so busy do I worry. But maybe we could still do the volunteer thing with the sledge teams. Together."

Pride swelled in Murphy's chest as he listened to Lev talk.

"I know how important the sledge thing is to you. It was always your way of keeping Mike alive. We should keep doing that."

Murphy's eyes burned. Every day, he found a new thing to love about Lev. "I'd like that. Obviously, we can't burn ourselves out and we need time for just us, but yeah. I think you'd be a huge hit with the guys." Murphy shook his head. He couldn't believe his luck some days. "I don't know what I did to deserve you."

"It is two ways."

"It goes both ways," Murphy corrected, just to be annoying.

Lev released a playful growl as if Murphy drove him crazy. "You. Ugh. Your mouth and brain are too bored, making you tease me."

Murphy scooted his chair closer. Wicked intent had him popping the button on Lev's jeans. "There are ways to fix that."

Heat flashed in Lev's eyes. "I'm game."

"Hey, I've got a question. Not again, guys, damn." Booker sounded hilariously put out. "You two have a home."

Murphy's smile turned wickeder by the second. His gaze never wavered from Lev. "Don't act like Dash and you have never fucked in your office."

A pregnant pause filled the air. "I'll close the door."

An evil-sounding chuckle rumbled from Lev. He never looked away from Murphy. A thousand years could pass, and Murphy would always feel as strongly about Lev. In fact, his love deepened every day.

"Where were we?"

He had to get back to pleasing the man who brought light into his one-track world. Without Lev, Murphy would still be somewhere pretending as if he needed nothing other than his career. Now, Murphy could lose it all, as long as he still had Lev. It was funny how what had once been his biggest mistake was now his greatest gift. Murphy would cherish him forever. In fact, he planned to cherish him right now. His husband. The love of his life. His gift from heaven.

Keeping an eye out for the next Thin Ice, Pucking Human.