Page 3

THREE

ETHAN

The walk toward Town Hall was a perfect transition after going over hockey camp details with Liam, my best friend since forever.

We’d met the first day of kindergarten, bonded over hockey trading cards, and become instant best friends.

Luckily, we survived a misguided attempt at dating in high school, and we kept our strong friendship.

We’d co-founded the camp five years ago, and he was also Maplewood’s youth hockey coach.

Maplewood buzzed with pre-festival energy as a team of people moved along the sidewalk using a bucket lift to hang Pride banners from the lampposts. Many of the storefronts featured vibrant rainbow displays at various stages of completion.

My hometown was always a comfortable place to be, which I needed since a persistent anxiety picked away at me. The grand marshal role was an honor, but thinking about working with Andre and the events of the festival set off a fresh wave of dread that I did my best to keep in check.

I waved and smiled at several familiar people as I walked, invigorated by the small-town camaraderie.

Living in a town where everyone knew everyone was something I never tired of, and that connection eased the nerves that crept in as the festival approached.

No matter how many visitors came to Maplewood for the celebration, I represented this community, and they would take care of me.

That sense of belonging felt like armor, offering the same protection I found on the ice as part of a team.

“Coach Ethan,” called someone from behind me.

I turned to find Tommy Harrington and Mimi Abbott running in my direction. They had attended camp since we started and were always part of the first session.

“Hey! How’ve you been?”

“Great,” Tommy said. “I had a personal best for goals this season.”

I offered him a fist bump. “Well done. Sounds like the work with Liam paid off. How about you?” I looked at Mimi.

“I got a hockey scholarship to Ohio State.” Mimi bounced, unable to contain her excitement.

“Oh my God, Mimi! I’m so proud of you. Can I give you a hug?” Even though I was pretty sure she’d say yes, it was important to ask.

She nodded, smiling as she stepped in, and we embraced briefly.

“That’s amazing. Congratulations.”

“Thanks, Coach. I still can’t believe it.”

“Listen, I need to get to a meeting for the festival but looking forward to being on the ice with you for a couple of weeks.”

“Is there any help you or Coach Liam need for setup or check-in tomorrow?” Tommy asked.

I loved the campers so much, always asking questions like this. “Everything is set, so just come ready to play. But if anything comes up, one of us will shoot you a text.”

“Cool. See you in the morning,” Tommy said.

“Have a good night, Coach Ethan,” Mimi added. “Or should I say Grand Marshal Ethan?”

I shook my head but smiled. I doubted I’d get used to that title. “Coach Ethan is fine.”

At Town Hall, I paused, doing some breathing exercises to help me stay centered. I could do this.

Before I got inside, another voice—one I knew well—called out. “Gallagher! How’s my favorite nemesis?”

I turned to find Dixon Cliff, my friend and rival from New York, striding toward me with a grin. Beside him was a shorter man with a lithe physique and a calm smile.

“Dix, hey!” We clasped hands and pulled each other into a hug. “Glad you made it in okay.”

“You were right. This town is gorgeous. I’m glad to spend a couple of weeks here.” He gestured to his companion. “This is my boyfriend, Oscar Salazar. Oscar, meet the infamous Ethan Gallagher.”

Oscar’s handshake was firm. “Nice to finally meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you from this guy.”

I chuckled. “I can only imagine. Most of it was good, I hope.”

“Mostly,” Oscar teased, nudging Dix playfully.

Dix rolled his eyes. “We’re headed to the theater so he can check in. What are you up to?”

“I’ve got a meeting about the festival. Catch up with you after?”

“Love to. Once Oscar’s done, we’re just chilling.”

“I’ll text you and we can meet up for dinner. I’ll check if Liam’s free too. We’re so glad you’re here. The kids are going to love learning from you.”

Dixon smiled. “I’m looking forward to it.”

Oscar put his arm around his boyfriend.

We said our goodbyes, and I finally went inside. As I entered the main auditorium, the excited chatter of townspeople surrounded me. Among the voices, I picked out Andre’s, his tone clipped with frustration.

“… still no sign of him. I swear, if he’s not taking this seriously…”

I paused, wondering again why I’d accepted. Andre’s words stung, making me feel sixteen again.

He stood near the front of the room, deep in conversation with Olivia. He was scowling, tension evident in the set of his shoulders. I approached, clearing my throat when I was close enough to be heard.

Andre’s head snapped up, surprise flickering across his face before it settled into a neutral expression. “Ethan. Glad you could make it.”

The words were polite, but the undercurrent of annoyance came through loud and clear.

“Andre.” I nodded at him, and then approached Olivia with a hug. “Olivia, good to see you. How are you? How are Hayworth and Felix?”

“I’m fabulous. You know I love this time of year. It’s great to have you back home.” She released the hug. “And Hayworth and Felix are better than I could’ve ever hoped.”

“That’s terrific.” I was happy that Olivia’s son had finally found someone after years of saying love wasn’t real. “I look forward to catching up with them.”

“They’ll be at the festival, so I’m sure you’ll run into them at some point.”

I turned to meet Andre’s steely gaze. “Can we talk for a minute? In private?”

He hesitated, then nodded.

“Sorry to steal him away,” I said to Olivia.

“No problem. You guys should talk.” She gave Andre a pointed look.

Andre and I moved to a quiet corner, hopefully away from curious ears. We didn’t need to become fodder for the Maplewood Matters town gossip machine.

“Look,” I began, keeping my voice low, “I overheard what you said. If you don’t think I’m right for this, I can step back.”

Andre’s eyes widened slightly, then narrowed. “You can’t just back out now. Do you have any idea how much work has gone into the planning? How much you’re a part of it?”

I ran a hand through my hair, frustrated. I had no idea on either count. It didn’t help my anxiety, knowing that it was a lot. “I can imagine, and I’m not trying to disrupt the plan. But I also don’t want to cause you or anyone else stress.”

“It’s not about me,” Andre said, his voice tight. “It’s about what’s best for the festival and Maplewood.”

Trying to find the right words, I took a deep breath. “I know grand marshal is an honor. I do. And I want to do right by Maplewood. But this… being in the spotlight like this… It’s not easy for me.”

Something in Andre’s expression softened, even if his voice stayed tense. “You’re the center of attention all the time. You have been for years.”

I shook my head. “It’s not the same. Not even close. This?” I gestured behind me to the still gathering crowd. “I’m way out of my comfort zone.”

He was quiet for a moment, then sighed. “Look, we’re both here for the same reason—to make this festival a success. Can we agree to work together? Put aside our… history?”

None of my tension subsided, but I nodded. If we put that behind us, it would ease some of the stress. “Yeah,” I mumbled and then found my confidence. “Yeah, we can do that.”

“Great. Let’s talk after the meeting. I’ll take you through everything.”

“Sounds good.” I’d have to delay meeting up with Dixon and Oscar, but I’d find out what I was in for over the next week.

As Andre returned to Olivia, I spotted Liam across the room and headed over to him.

“Glad to see you here,” I said as we fist-bumped. “I’m not sure what I’ve gotten myself into.”

“It’ll be fine. You already know I’m happy to help if you need it.”

I could always count on Liam to put me at ease. Just the way he’d said that calmed me.

“So, I ran into Dix and his boyfriend on the way here. We decided to meet up for dinner. Love to have you join us if you’re free.”

“That’d be great.”

“Cool. I’ll let him know.”

Andre called the meeting to order. I started to follow Liam to the seats in the back when Andre waved me up to the front. I hesitated, but I’d said we’d work together and I’d meant it. Setting aside my doubts, I took the seat Andre had indicated.

I listened as he laid out the festival schedule, my eyes widening as I heard the extent of my duties. Judging competitions, the parade… the list seemed endless.

“And now,” Andre said, his voice carrying across the room, “I’d like to introduce our grand marshal and winner of this year’s Lady Byng Memorial Trophy for his outstanding sportsmanship and skill as a member of the Seattle Riptide, Ethan Gallagher.”

I stood, feeling the warmth of a blush creeping up my neck as applause and cheers filled the room. Looking out at the friends and neighbors I’d known my whole life, a mix of pride and apprehension settled in my chest. I smiled and waved at them. Thankfully, I didn’t have to say anything.

As the meeting continued, I kept zoning out, the magnitude of what I’d agreed to sinking in. This was the biggest Pride festival Maplewood had ever staged, and I seemed to be at the center of a lot of it.

I discreetly ran through my calming routine. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing.

In for four counts, hold for four, out for four.

I flexed and relaxed my hands, then my shoulders, grounding myself in the present moment. These subtle exercises brought me a little calm.

Andre wrapped up the meeting, promising to keep everyone updated on the events through the Maplewood Pride website and with volunteer needs and other logistics on the Maplewood Pride social media channels. How was he able to sound so confident about all of this?

As people departed, Mrs. Goddard, one of my favorite English teachers, came over. “Ethan! It’s wonderful to see you back.”

I smiled genuinely. “Thank you. How have you been?”

“Oh, just fine. Excited about the authors coming in for the festival. Andre put together a fantastic lineup. And of course thrilled to see you get the grand marshal title. You deserve it.”

“Thank you.”

“I read on Maplewood Matters that you bought the Montgomery place. That’s exciting.”

“News travels as fast as ever I see.” I smiled as she nodded. “I’m looking forward to settling in there.”

“Mrs. Goddard, do you mind if I steal him away?” Andre’s voice sounded warm, a tone he never used with me.

“Of course. I’m sure you two have a lot to get organized. Have a good night.”

“’Night, Mrs. Goddard.”

“I’ve got everything up there at the table”—he gestured to where he’d been speaking before—“if you want to just go over things here.”

“Sure.”

Liam approached me as Andre went to the table. “Hey, man, when do you want to meet up?”

“I need to take care of some things here. Would you mind texting Dix and letting him know to meet up at Red’s? I can join you all when I’m done.”

“You got it.” Liam and I traded fist bumps and he headed out.

As I approached Andre, he looked at me with his warm light brown eyes that drew me in.

The hardness from earlier was gone. Instead, he had a confidence about him.

It struck me how handsome he was too. With his smooth head, dark brown skin, appealing lips, and those eyes, he’d become quite attractive.

I didn’t know what to do with those thoughts or why I was having them at this inconvenient time.