Tobias tried to dab his eyes as sneakily as possible. He didn’t care about the guys seeing him cry, but sitting in a booth with three active NHL players in a Philly bar meant people could be watching, and the last thing he needed was photos of him crying plastered all over the internet.
“Is this why you’re so nervous about playing in the alumni game?” Shane asked. “You gotta know, now that you’re retired, people wouldn’t make nearly as big a deal out of it. Unless you started dating a gay celebrity or something.”
“Yeah, a bit. I guess I don’t have to come out just to play in the game, but a part of me wishes I was brave enough to do it. I know it won’t be as big a deal, but it’sstill terrifying. I’ve been doing my best to hold myself together,” Tobias said. “My niece, Madison, is a great distraction, though. I’ve been watching her while Natalie’s been at the Olympics.”
“She absolutely killed it,” Cooper said. “Will she be home for the game? You should have her come down to the locker room after and use her medals to distract everyone from you.”
Tobias snorted. That was actually a pretty good idea. “I’m sure Madison would enjoy that too.”
“Oh my God, you’re probably the cutest ‘girl dad’ ever. Do you do her hair and everything?” Shane asked excitedly.
“Not a girl dad, aguncle. And I have, in fact, mastered pigtails, but I can’t figure out a French braid to save my life.”
“I can teach you,” Gray said, and everyone’s heads turned to him. At their questioning gazes, he continued. “I used to do my mom’s hair for her when she couldn’t do it herself.”
“Geez, I think my balls just exploded,” Cooper said.
“Uh, do you need a doctor?” Shane asked, confusion written all over his face.
“Well, I can’t say my ovaries exploded. I don’t have those, so what else do I say when big tough men are being super cute like this?” Cooper said, and they all burst into laughter.
This is exactly what Tobias had been missing all these years, and a part of him regretted holding back from these guys and from his friends at the gym. He could do better.
Hewoulddo better.
And he knew exactly how to start.
Gym Rat Pack Group Chat
TOBIAS:Hey, guys, I just wanted to say thanks for being around these last few years. I’m really thankful I have all of you in my life and I’m gonna try to be more open with you.
RILEY:Dude, are you okay?
JOSH:OMG, you’re not dying, are you????
COLE:Dead. I am dead.
GARRETT:Who is this and what are you doing with Tobias’ phone? Is this a code? Are you under duress?
CARSON:I doubt anyone would steal Tobias’ phone and then use it to text a gym group chat.
HUNTER:But we don’t know for sure.
CARSON:I guess not, but I think Cole might need an ambulance.
COLE:::skull emoji::
CHASE:You guys, this is why we can’t have nice things.
CHASE:We appreciate you too, boss!
TOBIAS:Thanks, Chase, for being an adult. Someone go check on Cole.
RILEY:On it!
JOSH:Tobias, please confirm you are not dying.
TOBIAS:I am not dying. Just waking up, actually.
