Page 132 of Heart Taker

“Rings?” Finn asked. “Where? Let’s see them.”

“We’re having them engraved so it’ll take a few weeks,” I added.

“Okay, less talking, more working!” Damien called out.

An hour into our practice and I was in the zone. And it was clear to me, and the guys, that nothing on the ice had changed; I was back to playing hard and Damien worked me harder.

When we took a break to hydrate, Damien skated off to the boards and pulled out his phone. The relaxed expression on his face from earlier was replaced by a glare I knew all too well.

I skated over to him. “What’s going on?”

“Lots of comments on the press release,” he whispered. “And some of it is nasty. As we expected.”

I yanked my gloves off and motioned for him to pass me his phone. “Let me see.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

I gave that glare right back at him.

“Don’t do that, Damien. Don’t try to protect me fromthis. You know I can handle it.”

Damien nodded and reluctantly passed me his phone. There was our photo along with the college’s official announcement. My first thought wasdamn, we look hot together. Then I read through some of the comments, which I refused to give voice to, and my stomach dropped out. Was I surprised by the hate? Not at all. It was the reason so many queer students and athletes hesitated to come out, me included. I remembered when Dane came out, along with Jace, the first guys on our team to do so. While most of the people in our circle and at the school were supportive, there were always haters. Always. The only thing we could do was stand tall and refuse to back down.

Getting hit on the ice was one thing, but off it? It took a whole other level of courage.

Did I give a shit what anyone else thought? No.

I gave Damien’s phone back and skated to the bench to grab mine. I tapped on my socials, opened my photo app and began posting pics.

“What are you doing?” Damien asked as he slid up to me.

I selected the photo of us in the jewelry store with our wedding bands on. And another pic of us at his house, sitting on the deck, and one of us kissing too. If people wanted to talk, we’d give them something to talk about.

“I’m doing what we planned. I’m making it known that I’m proud as fuck to be your husband.” I showed him my posts and kept scrolling for more pictures. “And anyone who doesn’t like it can screw off.”

Damien’s tense expression finally eased. “Get in your opponent’s zone and don’t let up.”

“Exactly.”

“If we weren’t surrounded by your teammates right now, I’d kiss you so hard,” he whispered, his husky confession making me shiver.

I stared into his eyes, and I saw… everything.

His love, and his vulnerability too.

“We can’t let these haters win,” I replied. “This is our life, not theirs.”

“It’s going to be rough for a while and I… I’m worried you’re going to question your decision to be with me,” Damien admitted quietly.

This man… he totally wrecked me. This wasn’t only about us, but about the past. Damien’s ex left him when he was at his lowest point. And he was all up in his head that it was going to happen again.

“No, baby,” I whispered. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m with you and that’s final.”

I slid one hand to his back to reassure him. It wasn’t a kiss, but it was the best I could do for now.

“Stubborn as always,” he quipped, his smile making a comeback.

“That’s right.”

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