Page 73 of Penalty Zone

Leo nudges me to move with his stick and skates with me. “It’s fine. Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it. I’ll protect you.” Leo ushers me into the goal. “Now shut that out and focus.”

One thing I’ve learned is how to compartmentalize, and it takes years of practice to stop wondering how Grayson knew. Am I that obvious? Not important right now. Hockey. Got it.

We watch film after practice, and Leo leaves the room for longer than makes me comfortable. He’s going to talk to Grayson, and I’m not ready to share our relationship yet. I like that it’s just the two of us. That we can disappear together and no one passes judgment or has negative things to say.

People always have something to say. Haters comment and other people defend, but that only brings more attention, and my teammates have been able to live their lives without letting it affect them. My mom hinted that she knows and accepts us, but my mom isn’t normal. Mason will kill me and won’t speak to his dad.

“Benz, you with us?” the goalie coach asks.

“Yup.” I talk about the play on screen, and he believes I’m paying attention.

Leo reenters the room and sits next to me. He man-spreads so his foot and knee touch mine. “Everything’s fine,” he whispers.

We linger, talking about Vegas, until everyone else leaves the room.

“Gray won’t say anything. He purposely ran into you as a joke. I’m sorry, my anger gave me away.” He presses his leg against mine.

“W-w-what?” I stutter, unable to comprehend it wasn’t me. “You’re trying to make me feel better,” I accuse.

He raises his hand as if he’s going to touch my face, then drops it. “No. He purposely moved in your path, knocking into you. I almost retaliated with a punch.”

“But I get hit all the time. I’m a hockey player.” My brain can’t sort this out.

“In the game, it’s different. I don’t like it, but it’s part of playing. Your trainer has no business touching you.”

Leo is possessive of me.

One more life gone.

At this rate, Leo’s going to kill me in a week.

This time, Leo reaches for me and cups my jaw. “You’re important to me, and I want people to know about us.”

The sentence creates a tsunami of emotions for me. Elation and abject terror. He must see it because his eyes dim.

“Only when you’re ready. I promise not to push you.”

“It’s not… I mean…but…” I sputter and can’t get a thought out.

“Shhh. It’s okay. I won’t rush you.” Leo is more understanding than I deserve.

“It doesn’t make sense,” I say stupidly.

“What?” Leo’s thumb strokes under my cheekbone.

“Telling people will make us real. Like Mason will know and he won’t forgive either of us and people will judge us and it will be real.” I repeat the last part.

“You don’t think this is real? Have I done something to suggest that?” Leo’s thumb finds the hollow of my throat, perking my dick up as his fingers press into the side of my neck against my racing pulse.

I close my eyes. “You’ll change your mind.”

“Look at me, Baby Doll,” he demands. His amber eyes burn with fire, and when I swallow, they track the movement like he could rip my throat out or fuck me right here.

I give myself fifty-fifty odds.

“As I said, you’re important to me. I wouldn’t risk alienating my son and coming out without being sure of where this relationship is going. So if you’re having second thoughts, tell me. Now.”

“NO!” I shout and reach up to hold his hand to my face.

---