Page 40 of Finders Keepers
Boudreaux took a deep breath. “I’m gay.”
“And I’m technically bisexual,” said Montgomery. “I was in married to a woman for many years, but we’ve been divorced for a while. I remarried a few years ago to a man. Garrett’s an airline pilot.”
“I’m not married, but I’m seeing someone right now. He’s a bank manager,” said Boudreaux.
Nate had no idea what to say, what to think. He nodded.
“Mr. Northfield and Leander Vance both know as do a few other trusted people,” Mr. Montgomery said. “Aside from the people at this table, only the owner and GM know about you. Who you tell or don’t tell is up to you. If you meet someone you want to date, feel free. We are not the relationship police and PR is not an issue.
“We’re trying to change the culture from the top down, and we’re making progress. But now we need to work where there will be the most impact. That starts with you. Be an ally, be the poster boy, completely up to you.”
Nate’s mind reeled. The owner and the general manager both knew about these guys. Nate could reveal himself if he wanted. Could date Wesley if he wanted. Out and proud or on the down low.
“What about Tommy?” The homophobic asshole.
“Ah, yes, Tomlinson. He’s under contract until the end of the season. I can’t speak to what happens after that. But what I can tell you is that we’re committed to shaping a healthier locker room moving forward—and we expect you to be part of that shift.
“In the meantime, we’ll have to put up with him and keep him in check somehow.” He gave Nate a meaningful stare. “Any actions you take against Mr. Tomlinson in the future will have to be addressed. We will not condone physical violence like what happened yesterday.”
Except, again, Nate got the feeling they were saying what they were supposed to be saying, but meaning something else entirely. Actions against Tommy would be addressed—he might get another letter in his file, he might get a fine, depending on severity, but nothing that truly mattered. Huh.
After a long moment, Nate took a breath. “I understand. I’ll try to keep my temper in check moving forward.” That’s what he was supposed to say.
“Very good.” Montgomery slid the other folder out from under his portfolio and pulled out a single sheet of paper. “This is a written reprimand for your actions in the dressing room for your player file. If you could sign and date it.” He slid the sheet and a pen over.
Nate scanned the verbiage and didn’t see anything to take issue with. He was in the wrong, technically, and the team had every right to “punish” him. If all that entailed was him signing a statement saying he physically threatened another player in the dressing room for homophobic comments, then who was heto complain? He signed and dated in his usual chicken scratch. “Can you send a copy to my agent?”
“Of course.” Montgomery stood. The coaches followed suit as did Nate and Mr. Mason. “Thanks for coming in this morning, Nate. It was good to meet you, although I’m sorry it had to be under these circumstances.”
“Yes, sir.”
Montgomery and the coaches filed toward the door.
“Let me walk you out.” Mason pulled open the door for him.
He escorted Nate back to the team office lobby in companionable silence, the deep blue carpet soft beneath their feet. Nate’s thoughts spun like an overloaded hard drive, everything in his system trying to process all the new information.
His queerness wasn’t a liability. He wasn’t alone. The culture was shifting. Hell, it had already shifted more than he’d realized. Unless this was all puck, no net on the part of management.
They stepped into the sunny lobby, passing the reception desk. Mr. Mason offered a quick nod to Marjorie.
“Have a good day, Ms. Kincaid,” Nate said. Any relation to his captain?
She smiled and nodded. “You too, sweetie.”
“Take care, Nate,” Mason said. “Any issues, big or small, you can bring them to me. That’s my job.”
“Yes, sir.”
Nate pulled open one of the frosted glass doors and stepped into the less bright, much cooler corridor and heaved a sigh of relief. He couldn’t wait to talk to Wesley.
“Hennessy.”
Nate’s gaze jerked from the phone in his hand to the source of the voice.
Griffin Kincaid.
Team captain. Defenseman. Locomotives legend.
