Tobias didn’t give Chase a chance to finish his sentence.
He wrapped one arm around Chase’s waist, the other pressed softly against his face, and leaned down to kiss him.
Tobias heard a shocked whimper escape Chase as their lips met. After a moment’s hesitation, Chase’s arms wrapped around him, and everything felt right.
He vaguely heard shouts and cheers, all of it white noise as he dipped Chase in his arms, like he was a hero returning home from war instead of a sweaty hockey player after a game.
It was the most powerful Tobias had ever felt. And he didn’t give a flying fuck who was watching. Was there a chance he’d throw up later thinking about it? Absolutely. But that didn’t matter now.
As much as he would have liked to keep kissing Chase forever, it wasn’t the best option with the crowd watching, so he stood up, pulling Chase with him.
He ended the kiss but pressed their foreheads together, not ready to let go of him yet.
“I love you, Chase,” he muttered, and Chase’s eyes flew open. “I’m so sorry I was afraid. I’m not anymore. I love you.”
Chase released a choked sob, his eyes beginning to water, but he managed to rasp, “I love you, too.”
Tobias pushed forward for one more kiss and squeezed Chase tightly.
“Oby is in love!” Madison shouted, and chuckles rose from the small crowd surrounding them.
Knowing he couldn’t hold Chase forever, as much as he wanted to, Tobias released him, but kept one arm clamped around his waist, then turned to the wide eyes and smiles around him in the locker room.
The same reporter stood at a respectable distance but didn’t ask anymore questions, which Tobias appreciated, a soft smile on the newsman’s face as the cameraman lingered beside him, filming everyone’s reactions. It would have been awkward to come out of a life-changingkiss with a camera directly in his face.
Some of his nerves must have shown, and Natalie stepped forward, blocking Tobias from the camera.
“Yeah, yeah, my brother is awesome and I’m proud as hell of him, but did you see these medals?” she said as she held up a medal in each hand, gaining the attention of the reporter and cameraman while throwing Tobias a wink. He was so glad to have her here.
Tobias turned to Madison and Grace and enveloped them in a hug, keeping his arm wrapped around Chase. He would never let him go.
“Ew, you stink,” Madison said, drawing chuckles from those around them who weren’t distracted by Natalie.
“I’m so proud of you, Toby,” Grace said through tears of her own. “That was the best game I’ve ever seen you play.”
Another man may have been offended at his mom’s words. He’d won two Stanley Cups, after all.
But tonight was different. Tonight, Tobias played with no restraints. No worries about the secrets he hid. He was finally free.
Chase smiled proudly. He still hadn’t said anything, except the three words Tobias had hoped to hear. He’d never seen Chase speechless, and Tobias relished the moment. He planted a kiss on the top of his head and heard a happy sigh from Chase.
Tobias chuckled to himself, thinking he couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so content, so happy.
A force barreled into his side, the only thing visible a blond mop of hair pressed against his face.
“I’m so happy for you, man,” Shane Kendrick rasped. His arms were wrapped around both him and Chase, and Tobias chuckled at Chase’s impression of a deer in headlights.
Even before they’d met, Chase had been a huge Inferno fan. He must have been internally freaking out at being held by two different Inferno players. Tobias had a feeling he’d be seeing more of his teammates after this, so hopefully Chase would get a little less star-struck each time.
Tobias spent the next half hour introducing Chase, Madison, Natalie and his mom to everyone on the team who was still in the locker room. The players all took their time shedding their gear, since it was something they didn’t get to wear anymore, and they were likely getting stiff. He had a feeling the ice baths would be full once everyone else left the locker room.
He couldn’t tell who was more excited to meet everyone, Madison or Chase. It was adorable.
Until Phil the Phoenix walked into the locker room, and Madison forgot anyone else existed.
“Phil!” she shouted, jumping out of Tobias’ arms and rushing over to the mascot. Natalie took a break fromworking the room to take pictures of Madison with Phil.
Tobias didn’t know who was under the mask, but the guy had been an instant fan favorite when the mascot was introduced this past summer. He hadn’t thought anything of the Inferno not having a mascot when he played, but the Phoenix made the games more fun for fans—and for lots of unhinged memes.
