Page 43

Leo

It’s incredible to be back at the ice rink after a long couple of weeks.

Ari has invited me into his suite, and although I prefer to be near Caleb, it’s safer here.

No dodging players or sticks or pucks. The suite screams luxury with leather armchairs to view the game and a chef waiting to serve us with another attendant for drinks.

“Tampa should be an interesting game.” Ari stands next to me at the glass above the balcony seats. “We traded Richardson for our defender, Kenney. Richardson was a cancer in our locker room. Entitled.”

I’m not adept enough to keep a conversation going by typing a response since people talk much faster.

“Even if we don’t win, I hope Drake wipes the ice with Richardson.” He folds his arms and surveys his team.

I hold my closed hand up, and he fist-bumps me, then I type, Wish for both but don’t say it out loud.

He chuckles. “Amen.” After a beat, he turns to me. “Benz has exceeded expectations this year. I almost, almost, feel bad that he doesn’t have a starting position, but we’re keeping him. Thank you.”

My fingers are slow, and I misspell too many words as I try to use the text-to-speech.

Ari covers my hand on my phone. “I’m not giving you credit for his hockey abilities, but he’s more grounded and less chaotic off the ice. I suspected he has anxiety, and maybe I’m full of shit, but it seems like you’re good for each other.”

I nod my head, thankful I can finally do it without pain. In this rare situation, I’m glad I don’t have to respond, but I completely agree. I love being with Caleb, and if he wasn’t my son’s roommate, I’d ask him to move in with me.

Mason has proven to Ari that he’s not a hotheaded detriment to the team, and he’s accepted my relationship with Caleb. I’m not a fool; the process sped up considerably when he injured me. I’m nervous about long-term effects but relieved his anger pushed him over to the side of supporting us.

I motion to Ari that I’m going to sit.

“I’ll be there in a minute.” He moves to speak to a few people, and I find a seat far enough into the row that no one will try to get by me.

“Hey, Leo.” Jayce McKenna stands next to me. “Mind if we sit here? This is my wife, Madyson, and our fiancé, Emmet.”

I wave and motion for them to sit.

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Griffin.” Madyson reaches over Jayce to shake my hand.

I shake my head, and Jayce jumps in for me. “He prefers Leo.”

Emmet is staring at me curiously, and I’m self-conscious about my scar.

He realizes I’m watching him stare and smiles.

“Sorry. I’m trying to picture you in the mask Caleb said he got for you.

We volunteer together at The Q Solutions, and he won’t shut up about it.

” Emmet rolls his eyes dramatically. “Your scar makes you look badass, but I agree, it would be next-level team spirit with the mask.”

If my mouth could drop open, it would. My heart flutters with how openly Caleb talks about me with his friends, and I’m not at all worried our secret will get out.

I’ll make you a deal. If the team makes it to the finals, I’ll wear it. My phone relays my message.

“Yasss! Bet. I’ll wear one too.” Emmet slaps his leg.

Our attention turns at the puck drop. Drake wins the face-off with ease and leaves Richardson in his wake without passing it off. Ari chuckles from the row ahead of us.

Tampa scrambles to keep up as the Enforcers dominate the ice. Lucky scores quickly on an assist from Ace, but five minutes later, our defense breaks down and they slip one past Liska.

“The team needs better defenders,” Ari grumbles.

“Kenney was a great addition,” Jayce offers, and I agree.

Caleb is slated to play the third period, but I wonder if Coach will put him in at the start of the second.

Liska’s back strain is better, but he really needs a solid couple of weeks rest to be back at a hundred percent.

In my humble opinion, he should opt out of the All-Star weekend activities and extend that time off.

The score in the first period does not reflect the game because we’re tied at one. The Enforcers have dominated the game but aren’t scoring.

When they return from the break, Liska’s in goal. The man is a tank with the grit of a prizefighter. Hurt or not, he’s a helluva goalie.

We score again in the second and hold them off, so it’s two to one. I stand to stretch and notice a slight man pacing in the suite. Jayce follows my gaze.

“That’s Trevor, Liska’s fiancé. He can’t sit when Liska’s in goal.” Jayce stands as well. “Anyone want anything?”

Usually, I would never bother someone else to get me a drink, but bumping into someone spurs me to ask for a bottle of water with a straw. He and Emmet climb the steps to the suite.

I can’t tear my eyes away from the two of them. Jayce has a possessive hand at the back of Emmet’s neck and kisses him while they’re talking to a group of people including Ari.

“Emmet changed Jayce for the better.” Madyson leans over Jayce’s empty seat to talk to me.

“Jayce might be older, but there’s something about Gen Z that is unafraid to claim who they are.

Jayce would never have been able to live his authentic life without him,” she says with a gleam in her eye, as if she knows she’s speaking of my situation as well.

She’s right. Although I’m old enough to be Caleb’s father, he’s taught me about being authentic and true to myself. That’s the greatest legacy I could leave in this life, not records or games, but my son and living a life true to myself.

Caleb steps into the goal, and from the way his mask is tilted, I know he’s looking at me, so I curl my fingers into a heart over my chest.

“The fucking cutest thing ever!” I hear and turn to see Trevor sitting behind me. “We haven’t officially met, but I’m Trevor and you, sir, tamed our rogue Baby Benz.”

I’m saved from responding by the puck drop. Richardson’s play has become more aggressive as the game goes on. He’s called for icing, high sticking, tripping, and fighting, spending more time in the penalty box in the third period than on the ice.

Mason scores and I have a cheering sound ready on my phone. It can’t be heard above the roar of the crowd, but it’s important for me to root for him.

Kenney cuts off all Richardson’s angles and gets slashed for his efforts.

Kenney leaves the ice for the last five minutes of the game.

Our third line is in, and they keep the puck on offense most of the time.

A pass goes wide, and Richardson is there to scoop it up and charges down the ice at full speed.

We weren’t ready for that, and it’s a race to get to him before he shoots on Caleb.

Caleb’s in a ready stance, and I see the play unfold in slow motion, confident Caleb will stop the puck.

He catches it in his glove and takes a second to decide who to throw it to, but Richardson slams into him and starts throwing punches.

I’m up out of my seat, watching Caleb curl in a ball to protect himself from the blows. Blindly, I step forward, but Jayce stops me. I can’t walk down from here.

“He’s going to be fine.” The Enforcers pull Richardson off him, and the refs skate to the middle to give him a misconduct penalty and eject him from the game. “Do you want me to go with you to the treatment room?” Jayce asks.

I shake my head and pass by everyone to get out of the row and take the elevator down to the player level. The game should be over by the time I get there.

As I round the corner to the treatment room, Gray must hear my pounding footsteps because he pokes his head out and says, “He’s fine.”

I catch my breath at the side of the table he’s lying on.

“Don’t worry. My goal was to get him ejected and protect myself. Mission accomplished.” Caleb’s face splits in a wide smile, and I stroke my fingers along his jaw where the skin is swollen and starting to discolor. “I was jealous and wanted to match you.” He nuzzles into my hand.

“I’m giving him a thorough exam before I send him out in the wild.” Grayson takes his time, moving Caleb’s limbs and checking his back and abdomen. “All set,” he declares.

Caleb swings his legs off the table, and I wrap an arm around him. “Lovie, I’m fine,” he assures me, but I can’t let him go. “I’ll pretend to limp if it makes you feel better.”

Grayson snorts and waves us out. Finn must have cut the media time short because they’re gone, but there’s a tension in the air.

“Fear not, fellow Enforcers, I have returned whole.” Caleb stands in the middle of the room in a superhero stance. He’s hoping for a laugh to defuse whatever’s going on, but there are only a few smiles.

“I’m just saying, I don’t get it. It doesn’t make sense,” a rookie grumbles.

“I don’t think you should talk about something you know nothing about,” Kenney replies with an edge to his voice.

“If you’re seriously asking because you want to understand, we can have a conversation, but your tone is disbelieving and accusatory. It’s not my job to change your mind,” King says, standing tall and leveling the rookie with his stare.

“What’d I miss?” Caleb asks. I take a seat in front of his locker.

“It’s not a big deal—” Ace says, but King cuts him off.

“A reporter had the audacity to ask me how many teammates I think are queer, and rookie over there didn’t like my answer.” King waves a hand at the frustrated rookie. I’m surprised King of all people said something controversial. He’s quiet and doesn’t seem to like the spotlight.

“Catch me up.” Caleb’s still in the center of the locker room.

The door opens, and Gray hollers, “Anyone else need treatment?” He’s met with silence and purses his lips, leaning against the closed door.

“Are we doing this?” King asks, and a few players nod. “Instead of telling her to fuck off, I said that it would be impossible to give a number because not everyone understands queerness or where they fit in.”

King’s insightful answer starts an argument.