Page 162 of Goaltender Interference

“Thanks, Dad,” Nolan whispered.

And all Connor could do was hug his son tight.

The following evening, Nolan was clearly nervous as he rode in Connor’s passenger seat, his knee jogging nervously up and down. But he stood tall when they stepped into the coffee shop.

Most of the tables were filled with students on their laptops or highlighting passages in their textbooks, but Viv had picked a booth tucked up against the brick wall in the back of the café.

She was intently studying something on her phone and had a mug of tea in front of her, so Connor got in line to grab something for him and Nolan. He wasn’t particularly hungry or thirsty, not with the way his stomach was in knots, but he wanted something to do with his hands. Connor ordered a hot apple cider while Nolan went for a hot chocolate topped with a mound of whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles.

When the drinks were ready, they carried them back to the booth.

Viv glanced up as they approached, a puzzled frown crossing her face when her gaze landed on her son. “Oh. Not that I’m not happy to see you, Nolan, but I thought it was just going to be your dad and me.”

“I have something I need to talk to you about,” he said.

“Okay,” she said slowly, tucking her phone into her pocketbook. “Well, have a seat then.”

Connor and Nolan slid into the booth opposite Viv and Nolan took several deep breaths, his hands trembling a little as he gripped his warm mug.

Connor leaned in, letting his shoulder press against Nolan’s. Telling himI’ve got your back,without words.

“Mom, I … I wanna talk to you about the GSA,” Nolan finally said.

She frowned but nodded. “Okay. I’ll listen.”

“I—I didn’t join because of Uncle Kelly, or even Jayden,” he said, his voice quavering a little. “I joined because I—I’m gay.”

Color drained from Viv’s face and she blinked at him for a moment. “What? I … how do you know? Are you sure?”

“I justknow,” Nolan said, his face turning a splotchy pink color. “I know because I don’t—I don’t look at girls. Like, at all. They’re friends but I don’t—I don’t think about them the same way I think about boys.”

“How long have you …”

Nolan shrugged. “Like, forever, I guess? But I wasn’t really sure until like a couple of months ago when I really started crushing on Kyler.”

Viv turned to look at Connor. “You don’t seem surprised. Youknew?”

“Not until the other day,” he said quietly. He and Nolan had agreed there was no point telling Viv about Jesse having been the first one to find out. It would only hurt Viv and potentially worsen any future interaction between Viv and Jesse.

Though, if Viv asked point-blank, Connor had assured Nolan telling the truth was always the best route.

“And Nolan knew aboutyou?” Viv asked, still frowning at Connor.

He shook his head. “Not until after we went riding. Nolan actually told me before I told him. He was braver than I was,” he admitted ruefully.

“Dad didn’t encourage me or anything, Mom, if that’s what you’re thinking,” Nolan said. “This is who I am. I joined the GSA because I needed help figuring out how to tell you guys. I knew Dad would be fine with it because of Uncle Kelly but I wasn’t sure how—how you would take it. If you’d be mad at me.”

His voice broke and Connor wrapped an arm around his son’s shoulder. He stared at Viv, willing her to try to understand. To do the right thing. She loved their son, he knew that, but this was also challenging all of her beliefs and he wasn’t sure how she’d react.

“Mad at you?” she whispered, sounding stricken. “No, I’m not mad at you. Of course I’m not. I love you.”

“But you—you’re not okay with Uncle Kelly. Or Dad,” Nolan asked, sniffling a little.

Viv swallowed, closing her eyes. “I … it’s more complicated than that, Nolan.”

“Then explain it to me,” he said, sounding close to crying. “Because all I want is for you and Dad to be proud of me.”

“Sweetheart.” Viv wiped under her eyes. “Iam. I love you so much. I am proud of you.”

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