Page 30

Hayden

My muscles burn from skating over the past hour. Since a lot of us are still recovering from the injuries we sustained at our last game, Coach Sullivan took it easy on us this evening.

Even though the session wasn’t as hardcore as our usual routine, I still feel exhausted. All I want to do is take a hot shower and find out what Liam is up to.

Reaching the locker room, I’m about to break open a bottle of energy drink when someone calls my name. Turning around, I see it’s Logan.

“Hey, shouldn’t you be resting?” I say, walking up to him.

“I was in bed for the entire weekend,” he says, frowning. “I’ve had enough rest. It’s time I got to practicing but Coach won’t hear about it. He wants me to wait another two weeks.”

“I heard you tore your ligaments, man,” I tell him in a grim tone. “That shit takes time to heal.”

“I know,” he accepts, clenching his jaw. “We’ve got to win the next two games so we can play those assholes from Silverlake again. Nothing’s going to make me feel better until we’ve destroyed them. Also, this is the final time you, I, and Mitchikov will be playing as the Thunder Knights. We’ve got to win the championship this year too.”

I meet his steely gaze and give a nod. “We will win,” I vow to him.

Stepping closer, he slaps my back. “Good to see you’re back in form, Bastian.”

I smirk. “I’m always in form.”

“Asshole,” he mumbles, shaking his head but I catch his lips quirk into a grin. “By the way, I’m here to take you to Coach Sullivan. He wants to talk to you.”

I glance around my teammates who’re all in varying states of nudeness.

“Just me?” I ask, looking back at Logan.

“Just you. Come along now.” Turning around, he walks out of the changing room. There’s a noticeable limp in his gait. He really shouldn’t be pushing it. Only proper rest can help him heal from his injuries quickly.

Letting out a sigh, I follow him to Coach’s office.

The moment I enter the room, I’m greeted by royal blue walls and a gold-painted ceiling. Light glints off the various trophies and medals kept inside glass shelves. Walking in here feels like catching a glimpse of the team’s history over the decades.

“Johnson. Bastian.” Coach greets us, gesturing toward the chairs by his desk.

I sit down in one of the chairs, expecting a routine talk about the next game. Except, Coach’s gaze is unreadable at the moment as he stares at me with a serious look in his eyes.

Suddenly, the air feels thick.

I catch Logan exchange a glance with Coach and suddenly, I feel anxious.

Do they know where I was over the weekend? Do they know who I was hanging out with?

I force myself to keep an even expression while my heart pounds in my chest.

“Congratulations, Bastian,” Coach Sullivan says. “You have an offer.”

Wait. What?

Coach’s mouth twitches in what could barely be considered a smile. “An NHL scout was at the game against Silverlake.”

I glance toward Logan who grins back at me.

“Even though we lost the game,” Coach continues, drawing my attention back on him. “They were impressed by how you held your ground and kept fighting. No matter how many times you were hit, you got back up again. And even though you lost the game, you scored some amazing goals.” Folding his arms, he leans forward. “They want to draft you.”

For a long moment, I’m rendered speechless.

The NHL.

My dream.

It’s finally happening.

After all the grueling practices and pushing my body past its limits, of never giving myself the luxury to break down—this is finally happening.

I take in a sharp breath as a slow grin spreads across my face. “Are you serious, Coach?”

Coach nods. “Yep. You did it, Bastian.”

“Which team wants me?” I ask excitedly.

“The Buffalo Wolves,” he replies.

Wow.

The Buffalo Wolves are among the best teams in New York City.

My excitement heightens as I realize a position in their team will keep me close to Knightswood. I’d be playing national-level hockey and I’d still be able to hang out with Liam.

Pride, relief, and even a sliver of disbelief rush through me. I look up to grin at Coach Sullivan but he’s barely looking happy or excited.

Glancing toward Logan, I find him looking grim too.

Anxiety settles in my gut. “What’s wrong?” I ask cautiously.

Coach lets out a long breath as he meets my gaze. “Your father’s been calling.”

My blood turns cold at that news.

“Why?” I ask, my voice sharp and clipped.

“He’s been asking about your prospects as a pro player since last season,” Coach explains in a grim tone. “Mr. Bastian never showed any interest in you until last year. I believe he never showed up to any of your games before that.”

“He doesn’t care about me or my prospects,” I say bitterly.

“Well, he overheard my conversation with the scout,” Coach says. “Ever since then, he’s been wanting to know how much they’ll pay you. He also wants to know if he’s going to get a cut of your money. He claims he’s ‘coached you all your life’ and deserves a portion of whatever you make as a pro player.”

Rage flares in my chest.

He gut-punched me and kicked me after the game with Silverlake U, calling me a loser over and over again. I disgust him but somehow, he still cares about what he can take from me.

He’s probably mad because I made it this far without any help from him.

I clench my jaw so tightly, it hurts. “He’s not getting a single cent from me. If he wants, he can sue me for it.”

Coach nods like he already expected me to say this.

“Hayden,” Logan calls me.

Turning toward him, I’m taken aback by the fierce expression on his face. It’s the same look he has before a game.

“You won’t have to deal with your dad by yourself anymore,” Logan says in a grim tone. “If you want to tell the truth about him—what he’s done to you—how he treats you—you can. But even if you’d rather not talk about it, just know that we’ve got your back.”

Surprise flickers through me.

I’ve never seen Logan looking so...protective.

Does he know something about my dad? Did someone else see what my father did to me on the night of the game?

Before I can figure out how I feel, Coach continues. “Your talent as a hockey player is all that matters to us. No one cares who your father is or what he’s like. Remember that, Bastian.”

My throat tightens with a strange emotion.

“I’ve had some of my people investigate Mr. Bastian,” Coach says, leaning back in his chair. “His drinking has gotten worse over the years and he’s also been arrested on DUI charges. He has racked up some debts while gambling too. I think he’s looking for someone to bail him out of trouble.”

“I didn’t ask him to drink and do shit,” I hiss angrily.

“We’ll take care of him for you,” Logan says in a grim tone. “Just know that you have us at your back. We won’t let anyone hurt you, Hayden.”

“Logan...”

He suddenly turns to me and squeezes my shoulder, looking straight into my eyes. “Just know that we don’t care who you love either. As long as it’s someone worth your attention, we’ll support you.”

My eyes widen at the implication of what Logan is telling me.

Does he know about me and Liam?

How?!

“Well...just make sure you’re not distracted, Bastian,” Coach says, clearing his throat. “Other than that, no one cares what you get up to.”

Logan leans closer and whispers. “Or who you get up with.”

I stare at him but there’s no malice or mockery on his face.

Only understanding .

Am I dreaming?

I have to pinch my arm to make sure I’m still rooted to reality, that my coach seriously said I’m getting drafted, that both my coach and my team’s captain are telling me they don’t care about my relationship with Liam.

I spent years fearing this exact moment.

Until now, hockey was the only thing that gave meaning to my life. Even imagining the consequences of my truth coming out filled me with cold terror.

I knew I’d never be able to handle my teammates’ rejection.

That’s why I almost gave up on Liam. I gave up on looking for happiness.

But Logan and Coach are telling me it doesn’t matter.

I try to keep breathing as my mind reels.

They’re not rejecting me. They’re even telling me they’ll protect me from my father.

I look back at Logan. Really look at him.

For the first time in my life, I’m not just seeing a teammate.

I’m seeing a friend. A brother.

Warmth spreads through me as the realization settles deep into my chest.

I finally have support. I have people who care enough about me to fight for me.

A strange emotion flares through me, assuring me that everything’s going to be okay, after all.

It’s hope... I realize with a start. And suddenly, I can’t wait to see Liam and tell him about every incredible thing that’s happened to me today.