Out on the Ice (Out in College 5)
“Hey, why aren’t you in the locker room? Get your gear on,” Troy said, adjusting his face mask. “And let’s make this apology process painless, please. You look a hell of a lot better than Schultz. Did you see his stitches?”
“No, I didn’t. I just—”
“Yo, Fischer!” Coach motioned me over.
I spotted Schultz at his side and cautioned myself to relax. I knew what I was doing. I was okay. He wasn’t my story.
I gave what I thought might pass for a smile as I came to a stop against the board.
“Hi, Coach.”
“You got something to say?” he asked in a stern paternal growl.
“Yeah. I apologize for the other night.”
“Good. Apologize to the team and we’ll put this behind us. They’ll be out in a minute. By the way, you’re both suspended for two games. But I expect you to practice your asses off. Get your gear on, Fischer, and—”
“Yeah, but I have something else to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything. We’re not rehashing that shit show. You two handle it between yourselves like adults,” Coach said as the team hopped onto the ice like ducklings one after the other. He blew his whistle to gather everyone around him and gave a terse speech about respect, responsibility, and sportsmanship before pointing at Schultz and me. “These two are going to say they’re sorry, then we’re getting to work. Make it short and sweet. I’m going to pull out some more cones. Finish up here and start a half-ice passing drill, Fischer.”
Schultz glared at me when Coach turned away. I studied the row of stitches above his eyebrow as he choked out a jumbled apology. That had to hurt.
“Sorry about the face, Fish.”
“I’m not.” I held up my hand and took a deep breath. This was it. “I’m glad Schultz said what he did. I’m glad I got mad. The timing wasn’t great. It shouldn’t have happened during a game. I apologize for the lapse in judgment. It was selfish and irresponsible. But he was right. I’m bi.”
“What the fuck?” Troy gaped.
“You heard me. It doesn’t change who I am or how hard I play. It’s just something you might want to know or maybe you don’t. But I don’t want to deal with rumors and backstabbing. When I’m on the ice, I’m here to play hockey. I’m here to work. My personal life has nothing to do with my skills. I don’t plan on quitting. I don’t plan on fading into the background. I just thought you might want to hear the truth from me.”
Silence.
No one said a word. I listened for the echoes and hums, but I couldn’t hear a thing above the sound of my heartbeat. I scanned my teammates’ shocked faces…Troy, Logan, Ramirez…even Schultz looked surprised. I wondered what else I could possibly say, but I didn’t owe them any more than I’d already given. I scratched my head just as Troy spoke up.
“Captain, what drill are we starting with?”
I smiled my thanks and barked out a set of orders before gliding onto the ice.
The office seemed busier than usual for a late Monday afternoon. I’d hoped for a minor miracle…like everyone calling in sick at the same time. Minus the germy element, of course. I’d never done anything like this, and the thought of having an audience made me even more nervous than I already was. But this was a “go big or go home” moment.
I flung my cape behind me as I stepped up to the reception desk. “Hey, Meg. Is Sky in?”
“Yeah, he—oh. Holy cannoli, Batman! What’s happening here? Are we still celebrating Halloween? Not that I’m complaining. You look…incredible.”
“Thanks. Sky?” I asked, inclining my head toward the main office area.
“Do you want me to announce you or—”
“No. Just tell where he’s sitting now.”
“He’s at your old desk. Go get ’em, big guy,” she said, beaming a bright smile at me.
I moved quickly around the maze of cubicles, pausing to give a high five or two as I made my way around the perimeter. I got a few catcalls and a round of applause. I’d obviously misjudged the excitement level a geeky costume would raise in a roomful of accountants. Sue craned her neck from her desk, Scott from IT popped out of the copy room, and when I turned the corner to my old cubby, Sky was there.
He leaned on the wall with a curious expression, looking sexier than anyone should in standard-issue khakis and a plain blue oxford shirt. He uncrossed his arms and furrowed his brow as I closed the distance.
“Batman?”
“Yes. That’s me. Can I talk to you in private…please?” I pleaded, gesturing at the looky-loos chuckling at my getup behind me.
“Um. Where do you want to go? Harry’s using the conference room, Bailey and Barnes are both here, and Jake must have eaten something funky at lunch, ’cause he’s been in the bathroom all afternoon and—”