“Not every queer guy is into you,” Andres says with a raised eyebrow.
Hen narrows his eyes. “Hmm, maybe not, but I had you pegged your first month on the team.”
Andres looks shocked. “What?”
“Like I said, I can’t explain how it works, it just does. And maybe you’re not into me, but you can’t lie and say I’m not your type.”
Andres rolls his eyes, making me and Landham laugh.
“Okay, fine,” Andres says. “But I just figured it out.”
“Guess you should have asked me,” Hen says. “I could’ve told you.”
Andres blows out a breath, leaning back in his chair.
“I’m gonna come out publicly,” I say. “I met someone and I don’t want to keep it a secret. He deserves more than that.”
“Congrats, man,” Landham says. “And thanks for telling us. I’m sure it was hard, but we’ve got your back no matter what.”
“I know.”
Hen walks back over and plops down in the chair next to Landham. “I’m happy for you, and impressed that you dodgedmy radar.” Leaning forward, he grips my knee. “My gaydar is so good because I’ve been fucking around with dudes since I was a teen.”
My mouth drops and so does Landham’s.
“You’re gay?” I ask.
“No. I’m bi.” His smile softens. “I’ve thought about coming out about a thousand times just to change the vibe in the league, you know? If there’s three queer guys on this team, how many are there across the league too afraid to say anything?”
“I’ve thought of that too.”
“Maybe that’s what we do,” Andres says. “We finish the season and make a joint statement.”
“It would have a lot of impact that way,” Landham says. “We should talk to Coach and Jackson before we make any plans like that though, so they’re prepared.”
“Do you think they’ll be okay with it?” Andres asks.
“I think so,” Hen says. “What do you say, Bouche? Do we flip the hockey world upside down?”
For the first time ever when thinking about coming out, a lightness spreads through me, drawing a bright smile to my face.
“Hell yeah. Let’s do it.”
