Page 40

Chapter 40

JAMIE

A fter yesterday's interview, practice feels different. Even warmups carry a new energy - not the tension I'd feared, but something protective, almost celebratory. Louis casually positions himself between us and the media section during stretches. Charlie chatters more than usual, filling any potentially awkward silences. Even Austin seems determined to create a buffer zone around us, his usual gruff demeanor turned outward like a shield.

"Pirelli." Coach's voice carries across the ice. "Running that new power play setup in tonight's game. You and Collings ready?"

"Yes, Coach." My voice comes out steady despite the flutter in my chest when Rylan glances my way. After three months of careful distance, being able to openly watch him move is intoxicating.

A reporter shouts something I can't quite hear. Austin immediately skates between us and the boards, his expression daring anyone to try getting past him.

"Media availability is after the game tonight," Louis calls out cheerfully, but there's steel under his smile.

The locker room buzzes with pre-game energy. Rylan maintains his captain's composure, but there's something lighter about him now. His usual precise movements feel less rigid, and more natural. When our eyes meet across the room, he doesn't immediately look away.

"Last game before Christmas break," Charlie announces, practically bouncing as he tapes his stick. "Let's give the fans something to remember, yeah?"

Something to remember. Three days ago, we were terrified of anyone knowing about us. Now...

"Movement in the neutral zone!" Rylan's voice cuts through the crowd noise as I track the puck. His captain's tone hasn't changed, but knowing I can look at him now, really look at him... my focus sharpens. The pass connects perfectly - like always.

We're up 2-0 heading into the third. The crowd's energy feels different tonight. During warmups, I spotted two teenage boys holding hands while wearing matching Sasquatch hoodies. The kind of thing I dreamed about when I first came out at nineteen.

"Beautiful feed," Austin grunts as we change lines. Three days ago, he was ready to fight anyone who looked at us wrong. Now he just rolls his eyes when Charlie makes jokes about our "electric chemistry."

A young girl pressed against the glass catches my eye - she's wearing my jersey over Rylan's, somehow taped together into one piece. When I wave, her entire face lights up.

"Stop making the kids cry, Pirelli," Louis chirps as we head back out. "Save the heartwarming stuff for after we win this thing."

The win, when it comes, feels bigger than hockey. Rylan finds me in the celebration, and for the first time, neither of us pulls away too quickly. The team piles on, creating a bubble of protection that feels like family.

A while later, after we've cooled down and showered, we're all heading out of the locker room, on our way for celebration drinks at the bar, when a tentative voice calls out, "Um, Rylan? Jamie?"

A teenager, maybe fifteen or sixteen, clutches a Sasquatch jersey in trembling hands. Must be one of the few fans with post-game access passes. But it's not just any jersey—someone's carefully combined both our names and numbers, "PIRELLI-COLLINGS" stretched across the shoulders.

"Nice jersey," I say softly, and the kid's entire face lights up.

"I... I made it myself. After your interview." Their voice shakes slightly. "I just... thank you. For showing it's okay to be..."

"Yeah," Rylan's voice is gentle in a way I rarely hear outside of private moments. "It is okay."

The kid's parent, hovering nearby, gives us a watery smile as they snap a photo. After they leave, Rylan's hand finds mine, hidden from view but solid and real.

"You okay?" I ask, noting the emotion in his eyes.

"Yeah, just..." He squeezes my hand. "When I was that age, hiding in our small town... I never thought I'd see anything like this. Never thought I could have this."

I think about nineteen-year-old me, terrified but determined to come out before the draft. About how lonely it felt, to be the only one. "We're doing this," I murmur. "Helping people."

His smile is soft and private. "Yeah. Yeah, we are."