Page 68 of Tutoring Mr. Hotshot

There haven’t been any incidents this week either. It’s a nice break from being on alert.

Granted, I should have known it wouldn’t be that easy.

The morning the photos we took hit social media, shit goes crazy. Suddenly, I’m even more popular. People approach me with congratulations and pats on the back to tell me they’re cool with me coming out.

It’s fucking weird.

To make it worse, I’m not the only one dealing with it. Rodney is also being stopped left and right as people recognize him. His texts come throughout the day, each more amused than the one before it.

Rodney:Someone just gave me a fist bump.

Rodney:I’ve known them for four years, and they’ve never spoken to me. It’s strange.

Rodney:This guy in my class sat beside me for the first time ever. He chatted me up about hockey. I think he’s a fan.

Rodney:The girls are even talking to me. They got the fact that I’m gay, right? That was obvious with the kiss shot.

Rodney:BTW we are so cute together.

Rodney:Aries says he’s getting us life-size cutouts of the kiss pose for our future house. He’s insane.

Rodney:Am I bothering you? I feel like I’m rambling too much.

It’s only after that last message that I finally send him something back. I tend to forget to reply because I enjoy seeing what he has to say more than responding.

Andry:You’re not rambling too much. I enjoy hearing what you have to say. I love being the person you trust with these thoughts.

He sends me back a string of heart emojis. I take that to mean he’s happy with my reply as I head into the arena for today’s practice.

Coach waves at me from his office when I pass by the door. He’s on a call, though from the look in his eyes, he intends to find me later. I can only imagine what for.

The locker room is full of noise as I step up to the door. When I step inside, it quiets immediately.

I raise my brow, though I don’t ask questions. There’s no doubt in my mind they saw the photos. If the blank looks weren’t clue enough, then the sneers from Liam would tell me the truth of things.

“Can’t believe he was kissing the nerd like that for everyone to see,” someone says. I don’t turn to find out who.

Someone else replies with, “Fucking disgusting. Gay shit like that shouldn’t be forced on us.”

I roll my eyes as I strip my clothes to get on my practice gear. It’s only when I hear a certain slur that I feel my blood boil.

Nope. Not fucking happening.

Dropping my jersey, I spin to face the hecklers. “You got something you want to say?”

They don’t even pretend to deny they’re talking shit about me and my boy. Instead, they laugh as they make their way closer to me.

Wrong fucking move, idiots.

“We were just talking about your pictures. You set that shit up? Have to pay those guys to do that disgusting stuff on camera?” Liam taunts.

I shake my head. “I didn’t pay anyone. And if you want the truth, Aries Merry is the one who set it all up. He invited me to practice, then the cameras showed. We wound up playing a game together.”

“Oh, shit! He got ice time with Brutal Bishop!” That comes from one of the guys standing behind Liam.

He turns to give them a glare. I ignore the look, a smirk blooming.

“Yeah, I did. We’re hanging out later this week too. There’s a party planned. I’ve been told I have an open invitation into their locker room too. The Bears are inclusive like that.”

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