Page 145 of Breaking the Ice

“Last two regular season games. Chance to set the Portland U record, and put our stamp in the record books before we head to Wisconsin for the championship.” Gavin glanced over at Zach. He seemed relaxed, totally at ease, hands shoved in the pockets of his sweatpants, a smile on his face. “We don’tneedthese games, but I want them. For me, for sure, and for Zach too, but also for us, as a team. This is a special team, and I don’t want anyone to forget us.”

“They wouldn’t,” Brody said, speaking up. He wasn’t the most vocal in the room, but always the most quietly supportive.

“And they won’t,” Ramsey agreed, sharing a glance with his best friend. “We’re gonna make fucking sure of that.”

“Good,” Gavin said, nodding. “But here’s the thing—this team hasn’t just been special because of how we’ve won on the ice. We’ve won off it too. Forging a new era in Evergreens athletics, not just saying we’re supportive and that everyone can play, but leading by example. Ramsey is the first captain of the Evergreens who’s openly queer. Zach the first assistant coach, and . . .” Gavin took a deep breath. He’d just told Zach that telling Sidney the truth had been tougher than this, but now that the moment was here, all those expectant faces looking at him, he realized it wasn’teasyto do this, either.

“What Coach B is saying is that you should pat yourselves on the back for practicing what we’ve been preaching. You were examples in the way you always played hard, and in the way you lived your lives,” Zach said, coming up to stand next to Gavin. He looked over at Gavin, giving him a little nod of support.

It was now or never.

“In that vein,” Gavin said, “Zach and I wanted to tell you something, even though it’s a little unconventional. Despite that, we hope this won’t really be a big thing—” Zach laughed out loud next to him, and yeah, maybe that was wishful thinking. “We wanted you to know that we’re . . .uh . . .together now.” Gavin reached out and took Zach’s hand, squeezing it, hoping that would be the visual cue they all needed to understand exactly what he was saying.

Gavin watched as jaws around the room dropped and a shocked silence descended.

“We’re very happy, thanks,” Zach joked.

“Well, shit, you weren’talreadytogether?” Ivan asked.

Gavin froze.

“Told you,” Ramsey retorted, shooting Ivan a triumphant look.

“Fuck—does that mean you won the pot?” Brody questioned Ramsey.

“I told you we should have gone later,” Elliott said, leaning over to nudge Mal. “I told you they didn’t have their shit together, yet.”

Mal just shrugged.

“Actually,” Finn said, speaking up, “I thinkIwon the pot.”

“What?” Elliott exclaimed. “When did you say?”

“Technically, Ramsey said the new year.Isaid the end of the season.”

“Wait a second,” Gavin said, not sure he was following. Hoping that he wasn’t, actually. “Did youbeton us getting together?”

“Yeah, Coach, neither of you were very subtle.” Finn shrugged.

“No way, not even remotely,” Elliott agreed.

“That’s fucking rich, coming from you. One half of the least subtle couple in history,” Ivan complained.

“Hey,” Elliott protested. “Mal and I figured our shit out on our own!”

“Yeah, Jones, but not before we had to witness your months-long mating dance,” Brody retorted.

“This is slander,” Elliott grumbled. “Total fucking slander. Tell them, Mal.”

Mal just shrugged. “They’re kinda not wrong, babe?”

“Ugh,” Elliott grumbled.

“I think the real question is, who won the pot?” Ramsey said, his voice cutting through Elliott and Brody’s argument.

Gavin looked over at Zach, who just shrugged.

“The only way we’re gonna be able to decide is if we knowwhen,” Finn said.