Page 110 of No Pucks

I blink at him. “Who knew you were such a sensitive soul?”

“It’s common decency to not leave someone hanging. People have anxiety!”

This is the last thing I expected from Wolfe.

“I’m sorry. I wanted to make sure the entire team would be here.”

Wolfe steps back, revealing Archangel. “If you quit—” he starts.

“Wolfe already told me. Will you two let me inside?”

Someone turns on the overhead light as I walk into the living room, and half the room groans.

“This better be good,” Lovelace says.

“I thought you guys trusted me?” I look at my friends for some support.

“You sent a break up message,” Savage mutters.

“Fine. I’m sorry. I need your guy’s help so Coach doesn’t get fired.”

That shuts them up real quick.

“What the fuck?” Archangel asks when I don’t say anything right away. “Why would he be fired?”

“My dad is a pissy bitch who is butt hurt we kicked their asses.”

“That motherfucker again?” Wolfe asks.

“We need to bury him. That’s how we handle problems where I’m from,” Archangel says through his teeth.

Wolfe puts a hand on Archangel’s bicep. “Calm down. Let’s hear Cox out. It’s his dad.”

“Stop being sensible. You’re a goalie, for Christ’s sake.” Archangel doesn’t pull away from Wolfe’s grip.

The entire team looks at me.

“Coach wanted to quit.” I hold up my hands as they start to chatter. “Let me fucking finish.” I wait until they quiet down to continue. “I think I talked him off the ledge. I tried to quit, since I’m sure my father would care less if I’m not on the team, but An—Coach wouldn’t let me, and I’m sure you guys wouldn’t be happy with either of us leaving, so I think I need to come clean.”

I could have heard a pin drop. Every single one of them is silent.

“I’ve been fucking Coach…” I hesitate because that’s not what it is. It’s not what it has been for a long time. “I mean, we’re dating, I guess.” I brace for impact.

It takes a second before it sinks in, and everyone starts talking at once.

I just let them. What else can I do?

“Quiet the fuck down,” Wolfe yells. “I got questions.” He waits for them to shut up and then turns to me. “That’s the secret boyfriend?” He turns to Ridgeway. “I thought you said he was keeping it a secret because he’s dating a guy.”

“I wasn’t wrong!” Ridgeway says.

Wolfe puts a hand over his face and just laughs. “I knew you were mouthy and like to buck authority, but goddamn. I’m not sure if I should be angry or impressed.”

I smirk. “I’m good at what I do.”

“Wait, Coach is gay?” Raven asks.

Archangel glances at him. “You got a problem with that?”

---