Page 113 of Puck'n Bully
I skate toward my teammates, waving my stick high in the air. A big grin comes onto my lips as the euphoria of the win crashes over me.
“Told you we’d break them!” Henderson shouts, tackling me in a bear hug.
“Yeah, that was great, man,” I tell him breathlessly.
Mitchikov and Aminov bump gloves with me and Logan. Both their faces are bruised but they’re grinning happily.
Our injuries and bruises mean nothing when we’ve won.
Coach punches the air, jumping high, looking like he’s on some kind of potent energy drink. Chuckling, I glance toward my teammates.
No, they’re not just my teammates.
They’re my friends and brothers who’ve given me a new life.
Without them, I could neither win the game on the ice nor off it.
They’re the reason I’m able to stay in a relationship with Liam. Without their support, my heart would’ve withered away. I love Liam so much, I can no longer imagine a life without him.
Logan, Mitchikov, and Coach also kept their promise to protect me from my father. He tried to ambush me last night but didn’t succeed. Without his ominous presence around the rink, I was able to give my hundred percent to the game.
And because I have my team’s support, I do something I never thought I’d have the courage to do in front of this many people.
Skating toward the boards, I locate Liam and blow him a kiss.
Right there in the open, in front of both schools, the other team, and our fans.
Liam catches it like a dork, smiling like I’ve just given him the moon.
At this moment, under the glaring lights and echoing cheers, I don’t care about anything else. For the first time in my life, I allow myself to breathe fully.
I have hockey.
I have my teammates.
And most of all, I havehim.
35
Liam
The hallways outside the rink are buzzing with chaotic energy as Thunder Knights fans shout and roar their victory slogans. Many of them are still filtering out of the stands, their excited voices bouncing off the closed walls.
I pull my hoodie lower over my face, hoping no one will recognize me.
Everyone is still talking about the mysterious guy Hayden Bastian blew a kiss at. Some are wondering if it was a prank while some are certain it was something Hayden did to show his undying love to the guy he’s in love with.
I listen to their loud conversations, feeling nervous.
Even though Hayden feels confident in his skin after his teammates’ acceptance, we still don’t know if his fans are okay with him dating a guy.
So far, though, I’ve only caught surprise and amazement in everyone’s comments and expressions. No one is being mean or throwing homophobic slurs.
A sliver of relief flows through me.
Most of the fans don’t care if Hayden’s seeing another guy. They’re just surprised to know their favorite center, the guy who’s known for his cold, aloof personality, is dating someone.
Keeping my head lowered, I make my way toward the locker rooms on the other side of the building. Away from the crowd, I let myself smile again.
