In this fragile moment, the weight of the world feels lighter, overshadowed by the power of our connection. Whatever comesnext, we are ready to face it, hand in hand, heart to heart, prepared to embrace this new chapter of our lives—together.
As the notifications flood in around us, I remind myself that we’ve taken control of our narrative, paving the way for a future filled with authenticity, courage, and love. Together, we can weather any storm.
Chapter 35
Nash
The world seems to buzz around me like a live wire, every ping and vibration of my phone echoing the heartbeat of the moment. As I scroll through my social media feed, the notifications burst with overwhelming intensity—messages pouring in from supporters, friends, and fans, along with the biting sting of criticism. It's surreal to see our names dominating the headlines; everyone’s eyes are on us now, and I can’t help but wonder if I’m ready for it.
“Nash, check this out!” Leo says, excitement radiating off him like warmth from a fire, pulling my gaze to a message from a young athlete. “This kid just sent me a note saying he admires us for being honest.”
The wave of gratitude floods through me, erasing some of the lingering doubts. I smile, absorbing the sincerity in those words, and for a moment, the whirlwind feels a little less intimidating. “That’s incredible,” I say, my heart swelling with pride. “We’re really making an impact.”
Yet just as quickly, my heart sinks. A notification pings in, contrasting sharply with the warmth we’ve just felt. “Nash, we need to talk about this,” says one of the team sponsors. I open the email, my heart dropping as I read the words they’ve crafted—words of disappointment mixed with the definitive message that they are “reevaluating their partnership.”
“Damn it,” I mutter under my breath, staring at the message. “They’re pulling out.”
“What? No way!” Leo frowns, leaning over my shoulder as I run a hand through my hair, trying to shake off the wave of frustration swelling within me. “How could they do that after everything?”
“It feels so personal, you know?” I say, turning the screen towards him, the glowing letters stark and harsh. The loss hangs heavy, a shadow looming over this moment that should be celebrated. “This isn’t just some money; it feels like they’re turning their backs on who I am.”
His expression tightens, anger flashing in his eyes. “They don’t get to define you, Nash! You’re standing up for who you are, and that should mean something.”
“It should,” I agree, feeling the tremors of emotion settle within me. I take a deep breath, but the swell of anxiety rises once more as notifications keep flooding in, a blend of both gratitude and scorn.
Hours pass, and soon we find ourselves sitting side by side, scrolling through messages that run the gamut from support to outrage. My thumb hovers over the screen as I click to read another message from a teammate, who writes: “We support you both. Just be careful with what you say out there.”
“See? Even some of the guys are backing us,” Leo says, attempting to buoy the mood, but I can still hear the underlying concern in his voice, and it cuts.
The excitement of hearing from supporters feels good, but that elation soon melts away as I flip through the comments on one of the articles. I freeze, reading an email from a fan turning into a hateful barrage directed toward Leo. “How could he betray us? We don’t need people like him in this sport.”
“People are so cruel,” Leo mutters, eyes darkening as he reads along. “It’s disgusting how narrow-minded some fans can be.”
“Don’t let it get to you,” I say, trying to calm the rising tide of frustration pooling inside him, but it’s more complicated than it seems. “We’re better than that.”
“I know that, but it still stings.” Leo takes a deep breath, forcing himself to shake off the negativity. “For every one hatefulcomment, I get three messages from young LGBTQ+ athletes thanking me for my courage.”
I nod, feeling a rush of empathy and admiration for him. “We have to focus on that. Look at all the kids we’re inspiring. Maybe that outweighs the haters.”
“Yeah,” he says, quiet resolve returning to his voice. “And I can’t ignore that. It’s just hard to remember in moments like this.”
He exhales heavily, and I can see the inner turmoil settling like a weight on his shoulders. “You know, it’s not just the hate mail. I’m scared for you, too,” he says softly. “You don’t deserve to go through this.”
The sincerity of his words warms my heart, but the recognition that he’s facing it too pulls the weight of concern deep into my chest. “We’re both scared,” I admit, reaching for his hand, intertwining our fingers. “But we’ve got to hold onto what matters—the love, the support, and each other.”
He squeezes my hand tightly, our bond anchoring us amid the chaos, and I feel fortified by the understanding that we’re in this together. “Always,” Leo replies, voice thick with conviction, and it breathes hope into the tension wrapping around us.
Together, we push through the swirl of notifications, blocking out the naysayers and focusing on the ones who uplift and inspire us. With every message we read from the young athletes, our resolve strengthens, solidifying our commitment to authenticity in a world that so often tries to undermine it.
We sit side by side, swiping through our messages, laughter breaking the tension as we joke about the ridiculousness of the comments we receive. Moments like this are what remind me that love will always be louder than hate, even when the storm threatens to drown it out.
The sun begins to dip below the horizon, casting soft golden rays through the window, a gentle reminder that the day has passed, and with it, a part of our story has been written. But this is only the beginning, and I’m determined to embrace every moment that lies ahead, hand in hand with the one person I hold dear.
The journey will be difficult, marked by tumultuous tides, but the warmth of connection in that moment feels like a beacon—a guiding light that reminds us to remain steadfast in the face of adversity. Whatever chaos unfolds, we will navigate it together, proving that love conquers all.
***
The smell of freshly cut ice envelops me like an old, familiar friend, a sharp contrast to the swirling uncertainty that’s taken residence in my chest. As I step into the rink, the cacophony of chatter and laughter wraps around me, igniting a rush of mixed emotions—the exhilarating thrill of possibility battling against the tightness of anxiety as I prepare to face my team for the first time since our announcement.
