"I’m gay," I said. The words felt like shards of glass in my throat. "I’ve been closeted since I was fourteen. My whole career,my whole life since then—I’ve been hiding it. From my family, from the media, from you guys. From everyone."
Silence. Morrison’s bag hit the floor with a dull thud.
"Theo and I..." My voice cracked. I cleared my throat and forced myself to keep going. "We were together. For a few weeks. And I ended it because I was terrified. Because I thought if anyone found out, I’d lose everything. The captaincy, the contract, your respect. So I pushed him away and I signed my extension and I told myself it was the right call."
My hands were shaking so hard now that shoving them in my pockets didn't hide it anymore. I pulled them out. I let them hang at my sides. I let everyone see.
"Then I watched him take a hit that could have ended his career, and I realized I’ve been choosing fear over everything that actually matters. Over being honest with the people I trust most. Over being the kind of leader you guys deserve. Over..." My throat closed up. "Over someone who made me feel like maybe I don't have to hide forever."
Kieran was staring at me with an expression I couldn't read. Hayes looked stunned. Morrison’s mouth was hanging open.
"I know this is a lot to drop on you before a playoff game," I said. My voice sounded distant, like it was coming from somewhere outside my body. "I know the timing is shit. But I’m tired of lying. I’m tired of pretending I’m someone I’m not. And if that means you don't want me as your captain anymore, I—"
"Jesus Christ, Moretti." Kieran stood up. He crossed the room in three strides and pulled me into a crushing hug. "Shut the fuck up."
I stood frozen for a second, arms pinned to my sides, brain struggling to process what was happening.
"You think we didn't know something was eating you alive?" Kieran said into my shoulder. "You’ve been wound tighter than a fucking drum for weeks. We just didn't know what."
"You..." My voice broke. "You knew?"
"Not specifically." Kieran pulled back, hands still gripping my shoulders. His eyes were wet. "But I knew you were carrying something heavy. We all did. And we’ve been waiting for you to trust us enough to tell us."
"I should have told you years ago," I said. My throat felt raw.
"Probably." Kieran’s mouth quirked. "But you told us now. That’s what matters."
Morrison stood up next. Then Hayes. One by one, the rest of the team rose from their stalls and benches. Some came forward to clap my shoulder or pull me into quick, hard embraces. Others just stood in solidarity.
"My cousin came out last year," Abbott said quietly. "Took him until he was thirty. He said the hardest part was thinking he had to do it alone."
"You aren't alone, Cap," Hayes added. His voice was gruff. "You never were."
"What about Callahan?" Morrison asked. "Does he know you’re doing this?"
I shook my head. "He said he needed to believe I’d follow through. This is... this is me trying to prove it."
"The kid has been a ghost since the injury," Kieran said. "Barely responding to texts. Just sitting at home with his shoulder in a sling, probably climbing the walls."
"I hurt him," I said simply. "I chose my contract over him and I broke his heart. I don't know if he’ll forgive me, but I have to try."
"He’ll forgive you," said a quiet voice from the doorway.
Everyone turned.
Theo stood in the entrance to the locker room. His arm was in a sling. He wore jeans and a Storm hoodie instead of his game suit. His eyes were red-rimmed and shining with tears, and he was looking at me like he’d just watched me slay a dragon.
"Theo..." My voice broke completely. "What are you doing here?"
"Kieran texted me." Theo’s smile was wobbly. "Told me I should probably get my ass down here. Something about my boyfriend needing backup."
The wordboyfriendmade me blink. Hope flared so bright in my chest it hurt.
"I meant what I said," Theo continued, stepping into the room. "About needing to believe you’d follow through. This..." His voice caught. "This is the bravest thing I’ve ever seen anyone do."
"It’s the least brave," I said. "I should have done it months ago. Years ago. I should have—"
"You did it now," Theo said, echoing Kieran’s words. "That’s what matters."
