Corky waved across the yard.I followed his gesture and fuck, there, talking to Coach Nery, were Rusty Dolan and Scott fucking Edison.I had a momentary impulse to run away, because I didn’t think that was a coincidence.Miles and I had kept my coming out low-key, but having the Rafters’ two active gay players show up at the Gryphons’ end-of-season barbecue suggested a deliberate nod to my sexuality.
Miles picked that moment to stroll over to me.“Hey, is that who I think it is?”
“Yep.”I’d messaged with Rusty some through the spring, as the Rafters chased a playoff spot and we slowly climbed out of the cellar.But even though he’d offered to introduce me to Edzie a few times, I hadn’t wanted to presume like that.Now here they were.
As I watched, Rusty said something to the coach and then he and Edzie crossed the grass my way.Two other men flanked Edzie, and I recognized his partners from the stories I’d read, back when Edzie’s coming out gave me my first hope.My teammates intercepted them over and over, shaking Edzie’s hand, fanboying a bit.Justified.The Rafters were headed for the playoffs again, and Edzie had been a close third in the NHL scoring race, a big reason the Rafters clinched a playoff spot.He was the real deal.He’d even had an old knee injury he’d rehabbed successfully.I tried not to be too jealous.
Miles bumped my shoulder gently from behind, standing so close I could feel his heat.A reminder that what I had was pretty fucking awesome too.
The guys finally reached us, and Rusty held out his hand to Miles.“Hey, we meet in person.”
Miles reached past me to shake hands, a smile in his voice.“Yeah.I have to say thank you.For everything that got me and Logan to this point.You too, Mr.Edison.”He reached a hand to Edzie.
“Scott, Jesus.Or Edzie around the hockey crowd.”Edzie returned the handshake.“And I mostly did it for me, although I do like the fallout.”
Edzie introduced us to his guys— slim older Will, whose calm aura and clear eyes made me see why he was a good balance for Edzie’s energy, and Casey, a shorter, muscular guy with power in his stance and a watchful gaze.I had a feeling no one would ever sneak up on Edzie with Casey at his back.
Rusty said, “Cross would’ve come too, but one of our cats was sick this morning and he wanted to stay home and watch him, to make sure it wasn’t anything serious.”A fond smile crossed Rusty’s face.“He loves those cats.”
Edzie elbowed him.“Like you don’t have six thousand pictures of them on your phone.”
Rusty snorted and said to me, “Hey, congrats on the way your season wrapped up.You were on fire.”
“Thanks.My line was.Not so much me personally.”I’d been third in points at the end of the year, close to Bubs but way behind Stacker.I shrugged.“Stacker and Bubs are both going to development camp with the Tornados in July.Fingers crossed.”
“But not you?”Edzie frowned.“You don’t think there’s something wrong with that picture?”
“Nah.”I played it cool.The Tornados’ decision was reasonable, and I wanted to look like it didn’t sting.“Bubs is twenty-five, Stacker’s twenty.They both have good wheels and lots of time.I’ll be thirty-four in a month, and my knee never got back to a hundred percent.Bringing me up again isn’t a good investment for the team.”
“Well, that sucks.”Edzie sighed.“Especially the knee.God, I remember after my surgery when I was rehabbing, I was so scared that was the end for me.”He threw a grin over his shoulder at Will.“I was horrible to be around.”
Will smiled back, soft and warm, as if they were the only people in the universe.“You were never horrible.”
Casey barked a laugh.“Yeah, he was, but we stuck with him anyway.”
Edzie elbowed him, then returned his attention to me.“I got lucky.Had the best surgeon, too.You know, I have contacts, if you needed a second opinion or couldn’t afford—”
“Way too far down the road now,” I told him.
Miles put in, “I have the cash and the contacts too, if that would’ve helped.”He wrapped an arm around me and pulled me close in what felt like a possessive move.I didn’t hate it.
“Sure,” Edzie said easily.“I guess knee injuries are a football thing too.”
“Probably even more than hockey,” Miles agreed.
A group of our rookies had assembled ten feet away, their eyes on Edzie.I suggested, “Hey, would you guys mind chatting with the kids?They’d be thrilled to spend some time with real NHLers.”Rusty had been called up to the big league when injuries threatened the Rafters’ playoff run, and was doing well enough there was no doubt where he’d be playing next season.
“Sure, but I want to get to know you and your guy.”Edzie grinned.“Maybe we could go out to eat in the offseason.Or check out a club?I haven’t gone dancing in eons.”
Will made a gagging sound, then acted innocent when Edzie glanced over his shoulder.Casey laughed.
“Come to my place for dinner sometime,” Miles said.“Logan can text Rusty the address, and you let us know when you’re available.We can bitch about whatever, without worrying about being overheard.”
“Sounds like a plan.”Edzie nodded and then headed for the gaggle of rookies, who looked nervous and thrilled.
Rusty hovered, and Casey made a shooing motion at him.“Go on.You’re an NHL player too.”
“Not like Edzie.”
