Page 35

Liam

The hallways outside the rink are buzzing with chaotic energy as Thunder Knights fans shout and roar their victory slogans. Many of them are still filtering out of the stands, their excited voices bouncing off the closed walls.

I pull my hoodie lower over my face, hoping no one will recognize me.

Everyone is still talking about the mysterious guy Hayden Bastian blew a kiss at. Some are wondering if it was a prank while some are certain it was something Hayden did to show his undying love to the guy he’s in love with.

I listen to their loud conversations, feeling nervous.

Even though Hayden feels confident in his skin after his teammates’ acceptance, we still don’t know if his fans are okay with him dating a guy.

So far, though, I’ve only caught surprise and amazement in everyone’s comments and expressions. No one is being mean or throwing homophobic slurs.

A sliver of relief flows through me.

Most of the fans don’t care if Hayden’s seeing another guy. They’re just surprised to know their favorite center, the guy who’s known for his cold, aloof personality, is dating someone.

Keeping my head lowered, I make my way toward the locker rooms on the other side of the building. Away from the crowd, I let myself smile again.

At once, I feel the soreness in my cheeks. It’s the effect of shouting, laughing, and cheering the entire time this evening.

Letting out a chuckle, I come to a stand by a vending machine outside the locker rooms. It’s quieter here, allowing me to relax and think of the amazing time I had at the game.

The Thunder Knights won.

Hayden scored three goals throughout the game, making his fans go crazy with excitement.

And he blew me a kiss in front of hundreds of people!

I still can’t stop replaying it in my head. Each time I do, my heart pounds wildly and I feel like I can float up to the sky.

Hayden was grinning at that moment, looking absolutely unbothered by the people around him. There wasn’t a hint of shame or embarrassment in his handsome face as he waved at me with fire and pride.

Hayden’s declaration of our love to the world makes my heart throb hard. Even though I know how much he cares for me, I never thought he could be this open about our relationship.

The change in Hayden’s personality makes me happier than anything else. His confidence has not only made him a better player but also improved his image in front of his fans.

The door to the locker room swings open. A couple of players file out, laughing and bumping shoulders. They’re still high on adrenaline from the game and their win.

I straighten up, looking for Hayden.

He steps out a second later, looking amazingly handsome in his varsity jacket. His dark hair is still damp from a shower and his cheeks are flushed. His gaze roves around the corridor until it settles on me.

“Liam!” he shouts loud enough to make heads turn.

I barely have a second to respond before he’s barreling toward me. Reaching me, he lifts me off my feet and spins me around.

“Hayden!” I gasp as the world revolves around me in a dizzying blur. “Put me down!”

He places me back on my feet but I have to clutch onto his jacket to stay steady. Breathing hard, I playfully punch his chest.

He grins like a maniac and captures my lips in a hot kiss.

Pure bliss flows through me as I melt against him. Despite the excitement, it’d been hard to watch Hayden get attacked by the opponent team on the rink. I know it’s all part of the game but it left me feeling anxious.

All the adrenaline drains out of me now, leaving me feeling exhausted.

Heat radiates from Hayden’s chest, comforting me. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I break away to stare at him.

“Are you all right?” I ask him in a grim tone.

“Yeah. Just a couple of bruises. It’s nothing serious, so don’t worry,” he says, pecking my lips.

“You were amazing out there,” I say, grinning at him.

“You were kind of awesome too,” he says, smirking. “All those banners kept my motivation high. Even my teammates appreciated your efforts.”

I chuckle. “It was the only way I could get myself heard over everyone else!”

“Good job, babe,” he says, kissing me again.

“Hey, lovers! Get a room!” someone hollers, breaking us apart.

Turning around, I see Logan and Pavel winking and making kissy faces at us.

My cheeks heat up, making me bump my face against Hayden’s chest.

Hayden’s body vibrates with chuckles as he wraps an arm around me.

“You guys joining us for a party tonight?” Pavel asks in a loud voice. “Or do you want to cozy up in your love nest?”

“We’re coming!” I say, blushing hard but still smiling.

Someone whistles loudly. “About time you stopped being subtle, Bastian! Grab your boyfriend and come along!”

Hayden gives the guy a mock salute, still holding me in his arm like it’s the most natural thing in the world.

“Yeah, we’ll be partying until the sun comes up!” someone else hollers.

“Coach is going to be so mad,” Logan says, shaking his head.

Hayden chuckles. “Nothing new there.” His hand closes over mine. “Shall we go, babe?”

“Yeah,” I say with a nod and walk alongside him down the corridor.

“I love you,” Hayden whispers, kissing the back of my hand.

Warmth and happiness spread through me at those simple words. “And, I love you,” I tell him, smiling.

The Hayden who once did everything to hide me from his teammates has openly declared his love for me. We’re holding hands and walking side-by-side while his friends hoot all around us.

We’ve come a long way to reach this point but this is just the beginning.

Dear Reader,

Thank you so much for reading until the end.