The net lights up, and that’s it. We’ve won.
We’ve fucking won.
The crowd erupts as my team floods the ice, dropping our sticks and helmets in celebration. I’m hit with manly hugs from all sides, my shoulder screaming in protest, but the adrenaline of the moment overriding it enough to enjoy this moment.
I look to the stands, to my family, and I see them jumping up and down and high-fiving each other. Beautiful.
After the cup is presented, our families are invited onto the ice and my stomach clenches as I watch all the wives and girlfriends, kids, and loved ones make their way to the ice. I search the stands and see Boone tugging on Wraith’s hand, but he’s not budging.
I skate over, calling up to them. When Wraith’s eyes meet mine, he smiles. Without thinking, I hop the boards right into the excited crowd. Wraith and Boone both laugh, and finally Wraith gets out of his seat and follows my brother down to meet me.
When they reach me, I throw my arms around them both. “Thank you for being here.”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Boone says.
“Most exciting thing I’ve ever seen,” Wraith adds. “You’re amazing. How’s your shoulder?”
“Hurts like a motherfucker.” I laugh softly. “I can barely lift my arm now that it’s over.”
“You can rest for as long as you need to.”
“I know. I have an excellent caretaker, too.”
“Yeah, you fucking do.” His eyes heat and he leans in, almostas if he plans to kiss me. Instead of panicking, I keep my feet planted, but he catches himself.
The amount of disappointment that floods my body is startling. I think I wanted him to kiss me, here in front of everyone.
“Go be with your team,” he says. “We’ll be waiting for you.”
I cup his face, holding his beautiful gaze, so tempted to taste his lips, but I don’t want my relationship to overshadow the team’s spotlight tonight.
“See you soon.”
In a few weeks, there will be a press conference where we’ll take a stand against the rampant homophobia in the league and make it known that some of us aren’t straight. That will happen a week after my official retirement announcement and two weeks after my rotator cuff surgery. It’s gonna be a busy and exciting summer, and Wraith is going to be by my side for all of it.
My brother is safe, my career is settled, and I’ve found love. Not a bad way to start the next phase of my life.
Not bad at all.
