Page 53 of Gamechanger

Finn stepped closer, placing his hands on my shoulders. "Hey, it's okay to be nervous. But you've got this. We've got this."

I nodded, drawing strength from his touch. "Okay, your turn. Let's hear what you're going to say."

Finn took a step back, centering himself. "Alright, here goes. Coach, team, as Moose said, we're in a relationship. I know this might be unexpected, the whole thing of a crossover between a player and someone in the front office, but it doesn't change who I am as a player or a teammate. I'm still the same guy who stays late after practice and gives everything on the ice."

I felt a surge of pride listening to him. "That's really good. Maybe add something about how you're not asking for special treatment?"

Finn nodded. "Good idea. How about: We're not looking for special treatment or to cause any disruption. We just want to be honest with you all and continue to be part of this team."

"Perfect," I said, feeling some of my earlier anxiety start to dissipate. "And if they ask about, you know, locker room stuff?"

Finn's face turned serious. "We address it head-on. We say something like: We understand there might be concerns about locker room dynamics. We want to assure you that we've beenprofessional all along, and that won't change. Our relationship stays off the ice and out of the locker room."

I nodded, impressed. "Wow, you've really thought this through, huh?"

Finn shrugged, a slight blush coloring his cheeks. "Well, yeah. This is important. You're important."

His words warmed me from the inside out. I pulled him into a hug, marveling at how perfectly he fit against me despite our size difference. "You're important too, you know. So important."

His words hit me like a gentle wave, and I pulled him into a tight embrace. "We've got this," I murmured into his hair.

As we broke apart, I noticed the time on the clock. "We should get going. Don't want to be late."

I offered Finn my hand. "Ready to face the firing squad?"

He took my hand, letting me pull him to his feet. "With you? Always."

We gathered our things and headed for the door. Just before we left, I paused, my hand on the doorknob. I turned to Finn, my heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination.

"Finn?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

The smile that lit up his face was brighter than any spotlight I'd ever stood under.

Chapter sixteen

Finn

The locker room hummed with a bittersweet energy as I laced up my skates. Last game of the season. No playoffs in our future, but hell if we weren't going to leave everything on the ice.

"Yo, Novak!" Blaise's voice cut through the buzz. "Bet you can't wait to hit the beach this summer with your boy toy, huh?"

I rolled my eyes, but couldn't hide my grin. "Unlike some people, I actually plan on training this offseason."

"Ooh, sick burn!" Sergei chuckled, tossing a roll of tape my way. "Little Finn, he grows teeth, da?"

"About time," Axel grumbled from his stall. "Kid was too nice for his own good."

I caught the tape and started wrapping my stick. "You saying I'm not nice anymore, old man?"

Axel's weathered face cracked into a rare smile. "I'm saying you finally grew a pair. Took you long enough."

"Speaking of pairs," Blaise wiggled his eyebrows, "how's things with the Moose? He still making you eat those nasty protein bites? Or do you have a seaweed spectacular for breakfast?"

I felt my cheeks warm but held my ground. "Hey, those things are good for you. Maybe if you ate some, you wouldn't be sucking wind in the third period."

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