Page 147 of Three Pucks and a Baby

“What the fuck is the ‘Bunny Tunnel’?” Bennett asked.

“It’s an underground tunnel from the main arena to the practice rink. It houses a lot of the plumbing and electrical for the arena. When a plumber’s assistant told his coed girlfriend about it, every puck bunny in the area was going underground to get a piece of a player. It became such a problem, we had to seal off the entrance.”

Bennett furrowed his brows. “Well, if it’s sealed, how will we get through?”

Coach chuckled. “We didn’t do anything too serious. Just enough to keep the girls out.” Motioning to the sticks lining the wall, he replied, “I think it’ll take a few good whacks from all of us.”

With a nod, I stepped forward. “All right. Let’s do this!”

Coach was right, and it ended up where the four of us could hack through the styrofoam-type material of the blockade with the hockey sticks. Once we were free, we dipped out the back. Thankfully, none of the reporters were staked out there.

As we headed for our cars, Bennett said, “Look, you two go take care of your parents, and I’ll go check on Vivian.”

While Theo nodded, I said, “Text us how she’s doing, okay?”

“I sure will.”

After cranking up, I gunned it out of my space to go to McSorley’s. While it wasn’t a total dive, I knew it wasn’t somewhere anyone from Southeastern would expect us to be. The guys and I had stumbled upon the place sophomore year, and the cheap beer and low-key atmosphere kept us coming back.

Once I headed into the bar, I glanced left and right for my parents. Thankfully, Dad spotted me and rose out of his booth. Ducking my head to my chest, my feet shuffled over to him and Mom.

Once I flopped down on the bench, I glanced up at my mother. My chest clenched in agony at the sight of tears shimmering in her eyes. “Oh Gray,” she murmured.

Damn, I hated seeing her cry. More than that, I hated being the one to make her cry. “I’m so sorry, Mom.”

She reached across the table to my hand in hers. “Don’t apologize, sweetheart. My tears are for you, not for me. Tonight was such a special night, and the bastard reporters ruined it for you.”

Since my mom wasn’t one to cuss, I knew just how upset she really was. I squeezed her hand. “I seriously don’t know what I’ve done in this world to deserve such an amazing mother like you.”

My compliment kicked up Mom’s waterworks. As Dad shot her a concerned look, she shook her head as she grabbed a napkin. “I’m fine.”

Dad cleared his throat and shifted on the bench. “Son, your mother and I are trying to understand all this.”

“You mean the polyamory thing?”

As Dad nodded, a nervous laugh bubbled from Mom’s lips. “I’ll be honest that I had to Google what polyamory even meant.”

“You did?”

“Even though I understand the term, I still have so many questions on how it applies to you,” Mom replied.

“Basically, it just boils down to the fact that I’m in love with Vivian and so are Bennett and Theo.”

While Mom processed what I’d said, Dad’s brows creased. “When you say you’re in love with Vivian, does that mean just with her, or is it with the guys too?”

I snorted. “Would it matter to you if I was in love with Theo and Bennett?”

Mom quickly replied, “Of course not,” while Dad once again cleared his throat. A moment passed before Mom elbowed him. “No. It wouldn’t.”

Cocking my brows at him, I replied, “You don’t sound very convincing.”

“You know I’ve always said I wanted you and your brothers to love who you wanted to love.”

“I know, Dad. But it’s easy to say that, but it’s harder when it actually happens. Especially when it’s your kid.”

He sighed. “I think it’s harder imagining you loving two men at the same time than you just being gay.”

“Well, you can stop worrying because I’m not in love with the guys.”

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