Page 130 of The Waiting Game

“Are you, uh—” Felix cleared his throat, not really sure how to word it. “Are you part of the community?”

Felix wasn’t really used to thinking of himself as being one of the queer guys on the team. He supposed he was bi since Jonah-sexual probably wasn’t an actual sexuality.

Honestly, Felix wasn’t that into the idea of labels to begin with and as far as he was concerned, the fewer people who asked him to define it the better. But that didn’t mean Felix wasn’t proud to be a part of the queer community, even if it was new and different for him.

Felix had always marched with Jonah in the Pride parades as an ally when they were younger and attended with his team in Vancouver, then with the Fisher Cats once he was traded.

Hell, Felix had been going to the events since he and Jonah were this kid’s age or maybe younger. Grandpa Cho and Grandma Ji-min had taken them numerous times.

But it was going to hit a little different this year, wasn’t it?

Jackson chewed at his lip. “I’m, uh. I’m trans.”

He lifted his gaze to Felix’s face, expression both defiant and scared.

Felix was hit in the gut with a sudden fear that he was going to fuck his reaction up. The team had met with some members of the queer community and they’d talked about trans issues. Felix wanted to be sure to get this right.

“Well, it’s great to meet you, Jackson,” he said seriously. “And I’m glad you felt safe sharing that with me.”

The tight set of Jackson’s shoulders softened a little as he gave Felix a shy smile.

“Um, just so I get this right, are he/him pronouns right for you?” Oh God, maybe Felix should have worded that different. He shot a slightly panicked look at Jonah who offered him a reassuring smile.

Jackson nodded. “Yeah. That’s cool. Or they is okay too. I’m good with either.”

Felix relaxed too. “I’ll try to remember that.”

“Thanks.”

Jackson shifted, looking a little anxious. “I should probably go. I need to catch the city bus back home so I don’t get in trouble with my mom.”

“Of course. I don’t want to make you late. But before you go, would you like some Fisher Cats merch?” Felix asked.

“Really? Yeah. That would be awesome! Do you have it with you?”

“No, I’m going to give you an email address your mom can contact. I’ll let them know to expect it from you guys and they can talk to her and get your home address and everything.”

“Okay, cool. Guess my mom’s going to find out I skipped school after all.”

Jackson didn’t sound too worried so Felix chuckled.

After Felix had given him the email of someone in the front office who dealt with that sort of thing, he reached out to shake Jackson’s hand. “Try not to skip school too much but it really was great meeting you today.”

Jackson smiled. “Thanks. You guys are awesome. Sorry if I interrupted your date.”

“It’s cool,” Felix said. “We spend a lot of time together. I think I can speak for both of us when I say we don’t mind the occasional interruption.”

Jonah nodded. “Definitely. It was great to meet you, Jackson.”

“Bye!” Jackson said. “I—I hope I grow up to be just like you, Felix!”

He took off at a jog, as if embarrassed by the statement, and for a moment, all Felix could do was stare after him.

After Jackson was out of sight, Jonah reached out and took Felix’s hand, pulling him closer. “Hey. Why do you look so worried? You were great with him.”

“Was I?” Felix laughed softly. “That’s not something I’m used to. I mean, meeting fans of mine who go out of their way to seek me out … that doesn’t happen a lot.”

Sure, at signing events there were people who wanted his autograph. He was an NHL player. Of course he got attention.

---