Page 96 of Penalty Zone

I’m saved from responding by the puck drop. Richardson’s play has become more aggressive as the game goes on. He’s called for icing, high sticking, tripping, and fighting, spending more time in the penalty box in the third period than on the ice.

Mason scores and I have a cheering sound ready on my phone. It can’t be heard above the roar of the crowd, but it’s important for me to root for him.

Kenney cuts off all Richardson’s angles and gets slashed for his efforts. Kenney leaves the ice for the last five minutes of the game. Our third line is in, and they keep the puck on offense most of the time. A pass goes wide, and Richardson is there toscoop it up and charges down the ice at full speed. We weren’t ready for that, and it’s a race to get to him before he shoots on Caleb. Caleb’s in a ready stance, and I see the play unfold in slow motion, confident Caleb will stop the puck. He catches it in his glove and takes a second to decide who to throw it to, but Richardson slams into him and starts throwing punches.

I’m up out of my seat, watching Caleb curl in a ball to protect himself from the blows. Blindly, I step forward, but Jayce stops me. I can’t walk down from here.

“He’s going to be fine.” The Enforcers pull Richardson off him, and the refs skate to the middle to give him a misconduct penalty and eject him from the game. “Do you want me to go with you to the treatment room?” Jayce asks.

I shake my head and pass by everyone to get out of the row and take the elevator down to the player level. The game should be over by the time I get there.

As I round the corner to the treatment room, Gray must hear my pounding footsteps because he pokes his head out and says, “He’s fine.”

I catch my breath at the side of the table he’s lying on.

“Don’t worry. My goal was to get him ejected and protect myself. Mission accomplished.” Caleb’s face splits in a wide smile, and I stroke my fingers along his jaw where the skin is swollen and starting to discolor. “I was jealous and wanted to match you.” He nuzzles into my hand.

“I’m giving him a thorough exam before I send him out in the wild.” Grayson takes his time, moving Caleb’s limbs and checking his back and abdomen. “All set,” he declares.

Caleb swings his legs off the table, and I wrap an arm around him. “Lovie, I’m fine,” he assures me, but I can’t let him go. “I’ll pretend to limp if it makes you feel better.”

Grayson snorts and waves us out. Finn must have cut the media time short because they’re gone, but there’s a tension in the air.

“Fear not, fellow Enforcers, I have returned whole.” Caleb stands in the middle of the room in a superhero stance. He’s hoping for a laugh to defuse whatever’s going on, but there are only a few smiles.

“I’m just saying, I don’t get it. It doesn’t make sense,” a rookie grumbles.

“I don’t think you should talk about something you know nothing about,” Kenney replies with an edge to his voice.

“If you’re seriously asking because you want to understand, we can have a conversation, but your tone is disbelieving and accusatory. It’s not my job to change your mind,” King says, standing tall and leveling the rookie with his stare.

“What’d I miss?” Caleb asks. I take a seat in front of his locker.

“It’s not a big deal—” Ace says, but King cuts him off.

“A reporter had the audacity to ask me how many teammates I think are queer, and rookie over there didn’t like my answer.” King waves a hand at the frustrated rookie. I’m surprised King of all people said something controversial. He’s quiet and doesn’t seem to like the spotlight.

“Catch me up.” Caleb’s still in the center of the locker room.

The door opens, and Gray hollers, “Anyone else need treatment?” He’s met with silence and purses his lips, leaning against the closed door.

“Are we doing this?” King asks, and a few players nod. “Instead of telling her to fuck off, I said that it would be impossible to give a number because not everyone understands queerness or where they fit in.”

King’s insightful answer starts an argument.

Chapter 42

Caleb

After everyone erupts, Leo makes a sound in the back of his throat to get our attention. I cross the room and read what he’s typing while I get out his tablet. He’s much faster with a keyboard.

“Leo is offering his advice from—you are not an old man.” I bump his shoulder with mine. “If you’re interested.”

“I am.” Ace folds his arms across his chest and gives Grayson a strange look.

When Leo switches to his tablet, I move away, but he pulls me back next to him with a glance that makes it clear he wants me within reach. My wildest dreams are coming true—Leo loves me and can’t keep his hands off me in public.

In the lag between typing and the voice, everyone gathers around us to hear.Our society is built around straight relationships. Men’s sports equate masculinity with being straight. It’s a cultural default.Most of the guys nod in agreement.

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