Page 106 of Rule Breaker

Banning raised one eyebrow. “Axel can raise his concerns with me privately. But he doesn’t have a right to out anyone. Might be a good idea to speak to an LGBTQ rep here on campus.”

“It’s not only our team; it’s the hockey world in general that’s not accepting,” Maddox looked at me and then back at Coach. “Even if Kayden and I weren’t together, I don’t know for sure that I’d want to come out.”

Banning sighed and leaned forward. “I played in the league for five years, and I knew a couple of guys who were queer but kept it hidden. They waited until they retired to come out. It’s not right, it’s not fair, but unfortunately, change in the hockeycommunity is slow,” he paused. “Back to the here and now, moving forward, we go on as is. But if there are any issues, you need to tell me. We can’t have your relationship affecting our season. Not when we’re so close to our goal. I need all your efforts focused on the ice. Got it?”

“Yes, Coach,” Maddox and I said at the same time.

“Good, now get out of my office.”

A sudden knock at the door had Maddox and I letting go of each other’s hand.

“Come in!” Coach yelled out.

The door opened and Axel looked surprised to see us. Like he didn’t think we were going to take his threat seriously? Asshole.

“I can come back later—” Axel started.

“No, I don’t have time later,” Coach barked. “Get in here and close the door. Let’s get this over with.”

There were no empty seats in the office, so once Axel shut the door, he moved to stand beside me.

Banning steepled his hands.

“Maddox and Kayden told me about what happened. For everyone’s reference, the team is status quo. That means whenever any of you—” he paused and glared at Axel. “And I mean any of you, step onto the rink, any rink, wearing the Sutton Cougars uniform, you’re all teammates and focused on playing the best game you can. Off the ice, what you do is your business. Andonlyyour business. Are we clear?”

Maddox and I quickly nodded, and Axel too.

“We all have too much at stake at this point in the season. Keep in mind that scouts will be attending games and taking notes. Play hard, stick to your job, and do what you do best out there. Save your personal shit for personal time. That’s all.”

Axel headed for the door first, with Maddox and I following.

“And one more thing,” Banning added. We turned to face him. “You guys are some of the most talented players I’ve everhad the privilege of coaching at this level. I don’t say that lightly. And I don’t want to see any of you achieve anything less than greatness.”

I felt calmer, but I wasn’t sure how Maddox was doing. Or what Axel was going to say. Not until we left Banning’s office.

“Look, maybe I overreacted a bit—” Axel started.

“You think?” Maddox snapped and took off down the hallway.

I turned to Axel.

“We were planning on telling Coach. We’re not stupid,” I whispered.

“I didn’t say that you—” Axel raised up his hands. “Look, I don’t want anything to fuck up this season. You don’t know the kind of pressure I’m under.”

“We’re all under it. All of us. I’m on scholarship, and I struggle with my classes because I have dyslexia,” I blurted out. “What do you think I’m going through every day?”

Axel stared at me and slumped back against the wall.

“Sorry,” he muttered and shook his head. “I had no idea.”

“That’s what happens when you make a judgment about something you know nothing about,” I replied. “Maddox and I take hockey as seriously as you do. Nothing gets in the way of it. You’ve seen us play. Trust in that.”

I didn’t have anything left to say to Axel. I stalked off in search of Maddox, who was now out of sight.

Probably halfway to the dorm by now…

I made my way down the long hallway and through the front doors, and when I stepped outside, I found him standing on the steps, staring at his phone.

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