Brant scores right before our shift ends, and he does his signature salute afterward. I knock his helmet with mine as we skate to the bench.
“Great goal,” I congratulate him.
“Great blocking, Keefer.” He grins as we go over the wall.
It’s our night. We’re all playing our best, and I end it with two assists. The locker room is rowdy with music and dancing even while the press is there.
“Hey, Keefer, great game,” Drake hollers.
I up-nod him like it’s no biggie, but I’m shocked. Drake doesn’t hand out compliments unless he means them.AndI have a team nickname. Only Sarah and Jamal have given me a nickname. Getting traded to this team is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
I’m walking on air out to the bus when Ace stops me. “Hey, come to my room before we go to dinner. You played amazing tonight.” He rattles off his room number.
“What’s up?” A meeting with the team captain is bad news, and I don’t want to wait to find out why.
Ace shakes his head. “See you later.”
I board the bus and sit next to Jamal, who’s playing with the scar under his chin. “Ace wants to talk to me.”
“Me too.” Jamal drops his hand to his lap but doesn’t look at me. “I’m going to his room as soon as I drop my gear so I don’t have to prolong it.”
“I’ll do the same.” All I want is to hold his hand, but that’s not who we are.
Chapter 29
Jamal King
I can’t get the look of terror on Theo’s face out of my head when Ace talked to us. He withdrew completely into himself and wouldn’t look at me.
I wait until the hallway is quiet when I knock on his door, unsure if he’ll answer.
We were both blindsided by Ace’s advice on how to navigate the media as a couple. He didn’t ask us to confirm our relationship. He simply asked if we have a plan in case it gets leaked before we’re ready. We were shook, but Theo panicked.
He opens the door with a miserable expression, and my heart sinks.
“I wanted to give you some time to process. I can go—”
Theo latches on to me as he buries his head in the crook of my neck, nuzzling my hair. His hair sticks out in all directions like he’s been running his hands through it.
Since I don’t know where his head is at, I usher us over to the cushioned chair and tug him into my lap. Theo silently curls into me, taking deep breaths as I rub his back.
“You don’t owe it to anyone to come out. Not me, not the team, no one,” I whisper in his ear.
He growls, and it’s a cross between fierce and wounded. It’s life-changing for someone to clock you as not straight before you’re ready. I spent a few years lying for the sake of hockey.
Theo turns his head and rests it on my shoulder so he can look at me. It’s an awkward fit, but he managed to make himself small enough to sit with me. The chair isn’t built for two big hockey players.
“As soon as Ace started talking, I heard John’s voice in my head, and my first instinct was to deny anything between us. But you deserve better than that.” His grip on me tightens. “John has left me alone since I told him we were friends and could have a family Christmas.” Theo’s humorless laugh increases my anxiety. “He’ll spew all sorts of hate at me when he finds out. I don’t want his voice to be the loudest in my head. I shouldn’t be afraid of him.”
“I’m sorry that man has made your life harder than it has to be.” If I had my way, Theo would never have to see John again. His verbal abuse needs to stop. “Parents should be in your corner no matter what. Living your life according to what other people think you should do or be is awful. Be you, that’s who I like. We’ll figure the rest out as we go.”
“Promise?” Theo unwinds himself, and I say the word back with determination. “My ass is going to fall asleep if we sit here any longer.”
“You want me in your bed,” I tease to lighten the mood.
He shrugs. “I wouldn’t kick you out.” He smiles as he flops onto the queen mattress and pats the space next to him.
I willingly crawl to lie next to him, closing the space between us. “I’m serious about not telling anyone until we’re ready.” My use of the word “we” is strategic so he doesn’t feel alone in the burden. “In the meantime, it might be better for you to move out of John’s place. Get out from under his control.” I sound calm, but inside I’m dying until he agrees.
