Page 74 of Our Hearts to Break

His eyes widen. “I could have lived without knowing that.”

I shrug. “I’m surprised you didn’t. I assumed Ollie and Dean would have told you.”

River rises from the ice and spins around to face us. He skates over to the glass and puts his gloved hand on it. It’s been ten days since I last saw him in person, and my heart slams into my chest.

The crowd screams his name. River takes out his mouthguard, smiles, and waves, keeping his other hand on the glass.

I hop out of my seat and place my hand against his.

“Je vous aime,” he says because he knows how much I love when he speaks French.

“I love you, too, baby.”

I blow him a kiss that he pretends to catch. The women a few rows behind me scream our names. All of the fans know me. River mentions me in almost every interview. Most of his TikTok videos and Instagram pictures feature me. He’s not afraid to let everyone know he loves me.

“You guys are so cute it’s gross,” Dean shouts over the fans.

“We love you, River,” the girls yell. “You too, Nate.”

Coach Thompson flags River down, annoyed by the distractions. He gives me one last look and skates away, stuffing the mouthguard back into place. He doesn’t look back at us for the remainder of the warmup. And I don’t blame him. River is a rookie and has to prove his worth.

He’s playing the best season of his life. If he keeps it up, he might get Rookie of the Year. If anyone deserves the Calder Memorial Trophy, it’s River. His dad won it in his rookie year. Like father, like son, River is following in Ryan’s footsteps.

By the end of the second period, the Islanders are up two points against the Caps. River is on a breakaway, skating down the ice, with several players trying to catch up.

I’m already on my feet, Parker latched onto my arm, squeezing the life out of me. Ollie and Dean are pressed up against the glass and shouting.

River sweeps the puck left, then right, and takes the shot. A siren blares throughout the arena. The fans jump out of their seats and cheer my boyfriend’s name.

On his way back to the bench, River taps his glove on the glass and winks, letting me know that goal was for me.

“I never have a fucking clue what’s going on,” Dean says, shaking his head. “But hockey is fun. I love the fighting.” He moves beside Parker and grabs his hip. “Especially when you’re the one doing the fighting.”

Parker hasn’t come out publicly, so he smiles and pulls out of his embrace. He’s worried about his family finding out. Like me, he has a trust fund controlled by his father.

Thankfully, I only have a few more weeks until graduation and my financial freedom. But Parker doesn’t gain complete control of his money until his twenty-fifth birthday.

Parker and I take turns explaining the plays to Ollie and Dean for the rest of the game. They nod and make jokes about doing things with pucks and sticks. Everything with those two is laced with sexual innuendo.

After the game ends, I drive my friends back to River’s house—our new home. It still feels unreal that River bought us a place to start our lives. In less than a month, I will wake up to him every morning like old times.

The Islanders win by three points. Whatever doubt River had about his sexuality impacting his career has gone out the window. His skills on the ice make him shine. Even the haters can’t deny my boyfriend is the best rookie in the league.

I park in the driveway, and Parker tumbles out of the car, drunk and staggering up the walkway. He started fisting beers like a champ by the third period and can barely stand.

He burps and walks into a bush. “Oh, fuck. That was… prickly.”

Dean is behind him, hands on his hips. “You drank too much, sexy. I think we need to tuck you into bed.”

“Mmm…” Parker licks his lips. “Yes. Bed. Fuck. Me.”

He slurs his words and almost falls again, even with Dean doing his best to hold him up.

“No, I mean sleep.”

“Boo,” Parker groans as I open the front door. “I wanna fuck.”

“Not tonight,” Ollie chimes. “You’re beyond incapacitated.”

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