“It’s notthatsurprising,” Theo scoffed.
“Are you kidding?” The twins asked simultaneously.
Theo’s dad lifted his hands to calm down the family. “Alright, alright, let’s all stop grilling the boy.” Anthony looked at Theo and said, “You have to understand, you are kind of the last person we’d ever expect to be saying this. I really thought Reggie was going to be the gay one.”
“What?” Reggie screamed.
Theo’s dad continued, “But, I’m old enough to know that life is anything but predictable.”
Through all of the hubbub, Cody and Rafael had been looking at each other, whispering things into each other’s ears, until Rafael said, “Well, if we’re all coming clean, then Cody and I would like to let you guys know that we’re together too.”
“THIS IS FUCKING AMAZING!” Roxy yelled. “Was everyone on the Vipers gay?”
“What the hell was Hughes making you do at practice? Naked leap frog?” Reggie added.
Anthonydiedat that one. Laughing so hard he started wheezing.
Theo stood up, pointing at Cody and Rafael. “Iknewsomething was up!” Then he turned to me and was about to say something, but stopped. “You knew, didn’t you?”
The word left my mouth slowly, cautiously. “Maybe…”
“You didn’t tell me!”
“It wasn’t my place to tell,” I replied.
Cody put his hand on the table, getting Theo’s attention. “We told him not to. He caught us kissing, that’s how he found out.”
I grabbed Theo’s hand and pulled him down to sit next to me. “Please don’t be mad. You know I would have told you if I could.”
“I’m not mad,” Theo said, “It’s just funny that we were all tiptoeing around, trying to keep it a secret that we’re messing around with dudes. If we were just honest, we could have talked about this years ago.”
“Okay, he’s not only dating dudes, but he’s also insightful now?” Reggie asked. “I need to go to bed soon before another revelation gives me a stroke.”
“Well, I always wanted another son, and I got one.” Maria approached and planted a big kiss on my forehead. “Happy birthday, baby. Welcome to the family. Officially. I still expect grandchildren.”
“Mom, too soon!” Theo groaned as he pinched his nose. Then he pulled me in closer and kissed me on the cheek. “Happy birthday, Pretty Boy.”
It was my turn to pull him in for a kiss. Twenty was already off to an amazing start.
Chapter 21
Asher
It was a home game against the Highlanders, a PCSHL team based in Bridgeport, and we were getting stomped. Their defense was the best I’d ever faced. Anytime one of us got anywhere near their crease, the Highlanders’ defense would overpower us with their size and strength. It wasn’t just their size; they handled the puck with the skill of a forward and were fast and aggressive on the forecheck. We couldn’t get past them, and they’d stolen the puck more times than I could count. They also had a goaltender who was insane. I never saw a hockey goalie move like that. He was bound for the NHL for sure.
The referee’s whistle screeched, and our coach called a timeout. We skated to the bench.
“Brihachek and Cushin, take a seat. Moretti and Hutchison, you’re in.”
What? No way!
I was about to step onto the ice for my first game with Theo, and I was bubbling with excitement. He shot me a cocky smirk that made my heart flutter. It had been so long since I playedalongside Theo, and I couldn’t wait.
Coach kept barking instructions. “Their defense is crushing us. Hutchison, I want you to stay back and play shutdown D. Moretti, do your best to protect our forwards in the offensive zone—give them the space they need to take a shot. GO!”
He waved to the ref, signaling the face-off, and the game resumed.
I skated to center ice, lowered into my stance, and all the fatigue from the hard-fought game melted away. Theo was standing behind me, and that boost of knowing he was out there was pure adrenaline. I was ready to win—and I wanted to do it with my boyfriend right by my side.
