Page 152 of Body Check

With a soft laugh, Dakota wrapped himself more tightly around Gavin, so content it almost felt obscene. He had no idea he could love someone this much. Feel so content and safe and happy.

Gavin’s chest rose and fell in a slow, steady rhythm and Dakota settled a hand over his heart, the equally slow, steady rhythm of its beat against his palm reassuring.

Dakota would get cold eventually and they’d have to get up and shower at some point. But for now, this was perfect.

He wasexactlywhere he was meant to be.

THIRTY-FIVE

EARLY FEBRUARY

Violet gripped Dakota’s arm as the Jumbotron lit up with a Pride banner and rainbow lights swept over the ice and across the crowd.

“You feeling nervous?” he asked, leaning in to be heard over the sound of the cheering.

“Fuck yes,” she said.

Dakota laughed, wrapping an arm around her shoulder and kissing the top of her head. “You’ve got this. I’m sure you did an amazing job.”

“Yeah, it’s just a lot,” she said with a grimace as she pulled away. “I told everyone in my office who I’m close to, and I locked down all of my social media, just in case.”

“Smart. I think the detractors will be few and far between, but?—”

“They’reloud,” she said glumly.

“Exactly. But fuck them. Tonight’s not about them. It’s aboutus.”

Violet gave him a bright smile. “I’m so glad you came to Boston.”

He tugged at her ponytail. “Me too.”

The video began, showing clips of a waving rainbow flag and then one of the equipment managers sewing Pride patches onto the Harriers’ jerseys. Dakota’s smile grew as the camera cut to Gavin in his office. He spoke carefully, gaze trained on the camera.

“Pride is important to me, not only as a gay man, but as the general manager of this team. I am committed to doing everything in my power to ensure the LGBTQ+ community feels welcome here in the stands, in our offices, and on the ice.”

The screen changed to a shot of Connor O’Shea carefully winding Pride Tape around the blade of his stick, a voiceover filling the air as he said, “My brother Kelly coming out was what made me realize how important it was to create an inclusive culture within the locker room, but it was my own realization that I’m bisexual that made it really hit home.”

In the video, Connor looked up, his expression stoic, his blue eyes bright as he stared into the lens and said, “It’s what made me realize I can do better, so future players know they don’t have to choose between being out and being able to play hockey.”

Next up were clips of the Boston Pride parade, a rainbow mural on the side of a building Dakota didn’t recognize, and the signed commemorative Pride night pucks they were giving away tonight before the video cut to Rafael Moon. He sat in the team’s video room, wearing Harriers’ sweats as he spoke.

“Pride is important to me because it made me feel safe to come here. I knew, that as a gay man, I’d be welcome in the locker room. I could play without having to hide who I am.”

Dakota frowned. That was interesting. It implied there were some locker rooms around the league thatweren’tas welcoming. And while that didn’t necessarily come as a huge shock, it was sad to think there were teams who still weren’t as inclusive as they could be.

The screen filled with a woman typing, spreadsheets visible on her monitor and a small trans Pride flag stuck in a nearby pen cup.

In the stands, Violet gripped his arm tightly, hard enough to hurt.

The camera zoomed out, revealing Violet’s face. Her expression was serene, her gaze steady as she spoke. “Pride is important because it gives me security as a trans woman working in professional sports.”

Violet buried her face against Dakota’s shoulder, and he would have laughed but he got it. It was always weird to hear your own voice and see your face on a screen and to see it blown up that large was probably pretty overwhelming.

“You did great,” he whispered against her hair.

More videos appeared, more shots of Pride tape being wound around stick handles and clips of other people in the organization speaking. A security guard, a scout, several arena workers.

It cut to Tanner, who spoke animatedly, his whole face lit up as he talked about playing for an inclusive team.

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