The energy of the Ottawa team never bounced back, even after Park won the fight. The Bigfoots walked away with a one-goal win over the Conclaves, and August stumbled down the chute, accepting pats on the back from staff and assistants.
He had to stay long enough to do a crowd salute after earning a star, and he made sure to pass his stick off to a little girl wearing his jersey number before re-entering the chute. He waved at Niko, who was giving an interview, on his way to the locker room, breathing a sigh of relief when he stepped inside.
They weren’t treating him any differently. No one had taken Jin’s words to heart. Everything was completely normal.
“Hey, guys,” said August, and every gaze in the room snapped to him, halting the conversations. “I’m bisexual, and Park and I are friends. No need to start shit with him next time we play against Ottawa, okay?”
The hum of silence was unnerving, but then Logan pulled his shirt off and groaned. “Good for you, Gusty. We promise we won’t beat your friend up. Is everyone going for drinks, or have we earned an early bedtime tonight?”
A cluster of tired agreements and disagreements answered, and the upbeat mood returned as if nothing happened.
“No one gives shit if you turn into pumpkin after midnight, Snow,” Coach said, smacking August with his clipboard. “Keep playing good hockey, and we’ll look past mice and magic shows, yes?”
August didn’t know what reaction he was expecting, but it hadn’t involved pumpkins of any kind.
Laughter trickled through the group, which increased when Niko came into the room with his brows set in confusion.
“We’re going to see a magic show?”
More laughter erupted, and August joined in, swinging an arm over Niko’s shoulders. “Come on, let’s hit the showers before they start comparing you to Disney characters, too.”
“Huh?”
“Is there a petition we can sign to change Gusty’s name to Gus Gus?” Haas asked the room.
August rolled his eyes as the conversation quickly went downhill. He was about to go to his stall and gear down when one of the equipment managers approached, looking frustrated.
“Snow, Jin Park wants to talk to you, and he wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“Thanks, I’ll handle it.” August pushed Niko toward the benches and left while everyone was distracted, nearly plowing into a visibly upset Ottawa player when he walked out the door.
“August, I’m so fucking sorry. I know you’re furious with me, so just punch me in the face and get it over with. Hit me as many times as you want, I—”
August yanked Jin close and pinned him in a choke hold, digging knuckles into his skull as Jin struggled to remain on his skates.
“I’m not mad,” he said, giving the smaller man a playful shake. “I saw how sorry you were after you said it, so no hard feelings. This is a good lesson in verbal filters for you, eh?”
August loosened his grip, and Jin fell away, coughing and rubbing his throat. “You don’t even know—I’ve been close to crying since it happened, and I don’t cry.”
Sure. Jin wastotallya big, tough, perfectly composed individual.
“We’re still friends. I’m not mad. Let’s hang out at the All-Star game,” said August. “Now, go gear down and get the fuck out of here. I need to get my damn knee checked and go home.”
Jin was hesitant to leave, shifting his weight from skate to skate like he was trying to work up the courage to say something else. When he finally lifted a hand to wave goodbye, it was in a small, miserable little gesture that didn’t suit his usual fire at all.
“Sorry…again,” he whispered, voice barely carrying over the buzz of the hallway.
August let out a slow breath. The guy looked like he was two seconds away from curling up on the floor and melting into a guilty puddle. He tipped his head in acknowledgment and watched Jin turn and leave, shoulders slumped as he trudged toward the Ottawa locker room.
August scrubbed a hand over his face, groaning. How the hell had he ended up surrounded by all these dramatic, overemotional, hockey gremlins?
Chapter 25
Quinn
Quinn felt like his week was going great. He had one more life drawing class to get through before the weekend, and then he would be travelling to Toronto for the All-Star Game with Eren, which also meant Niko and August were joining them.
That was…fine.
