Pursuing something with Theo is a cold-blooded act against my family and my Enforcer family.
But someone left me several bags of my favorite maple bacon popcorn in my locker, and no one would take credit for it. During preseason, Theo made a snarky comment about the flavor. I’m sure it was him, but I don’t understand why.
Finding the answer won’t harm anyone, and as I pass the treatment room, an unsettling thought hits me.
“I need a favor, man,” I whisper to Gray.
He glances around and back at me with a puzzled look. “Is it legal?” he jokes.
“Something went down between O’Keefe and me, and I don’t want it to affect our game. But he won’t talk to me. Can you get him in here?” All true, no lies detected.
“I can’t give you this room, but I’ll ask him to follow me across the hall. Good?” Gray points to the exercise room.
“Yeah, ’preciate you.” I cross the hall and leave the lights off. I’m not even sure what I’m going to say to him, but I can’t live in this limbo, wondering what’s up.
A couple of minutes later, the door opens. “Seriously, my ankle is fine. Not even a ghost of pain.” Gray closes the door on Theo. “What the fuck?”
“Hey.” I clear my throat. “Lights on or off?”
Theo spins toward me, frowning. “You set me up.”
“You’re avoiding me,” I counter.
“Nope.” He crosses his arms and widens his stance as if preparing for a fight.
“Funny how you can’t hear me when I call your name and you leave me on read.” I mirror his posture, then relax my stance. Getting defensive only makes this conversation harder.
“What do you want from me?” he snarls, but there’s fear in his eyes.
“Not a damn thing you don’t want to give.” My throat tightens, but I hold my own. He might be terrified I’ll out him. A deep breath centers me. “Are you okay?”
Theo’s head snaps back as if I’ve struck him. “Of course I’m fine. What did you hear?”
“Nothing.” I throw my hands up, palms facing him. “FYI, I never planned to come out while playing hockey. But this team is supportive, if you make that choice, they’ll have your back.” I’ve been so in my head about me, I didn’t think to consider his reaction.
“This team hates me,” he says with no emotion.
“No, the team doesn’tknowyou.” This conversation has taken a turn, and I’m not sure how to get it back on track.
“You think you know me?” Theo narrows his eyes and lifts his chin.
“If I knew you, I wouldn’t be worried. The thing that happened, it doesn’t have to make things weird between us. We can’t mess up the team chemistry with our personal stuff.” As soon as I say it, his face changes.
“Obviously.” His voice fills with sarcasm, and he tilts his head, letting his arms drop. “Don’t worry your pretty little head about the team. I won’t bring mypersonal stuff to the game.” His fingers twitch involuntarily, and his movements are jerky as he turns to leave.
I grab his arm, and his tendons flex under my fingers, showcasing his power. My eyes are glued to where we’re touching, my hazelnut skin against his light. Starkly different, yet the same.
“This league can be tough for anyone who isn’t straight. All I’m saying is that if you need someone to talk to, I’m here. I won’t tell anyone, but it’s lonely when you keep secrets. You’re not alone.” I sound like a damn greeting card. Sappy and overpriced.
“Is that right?” His eyes dart from mine to my hand, and I let him go with a nod. “What, are we friends now?”
“If you want.” I keep my voice casual despite my heart hammering. “Stranger things have happened. And to tell you a secret”—I lean in—“having queer friends helps.” My mouth won’t shut the hell up. I have to remember he’s probably struggling with his sexuality, and if Theo needs a friend, I can control myself.
“To do what? I know you don’t trust me to braid your hair.” His eyes bore into me with an intensity that flips my stomach in a good way, which means it’s bad.
“Don’t feel bad. I don’t trust my moms to braid my hair either. She lost that privilege years ago.” I struggle not to fidget under his gaze.
Theo’s face breaks into a grin, and my floppy stomach does a triple backflip while my heart ceases beating, then races again.
