Page 95 of Pucking Strong

Gliding down the wall, I stop in front of Teddy. On the other side of the glass, he’s grinning from ear to ear. All around him, the crowd dances and cheers. Fans pound the plexiglass with their fists.

“That’s his husband,” one of Teddy’s sisters shouts again, jostling his shoulders.

Cameras flash as I slip off my glove and raise a finger, eyes now only for him. “That was one. Second goal wins me back the watch.”

Teddy laughs, flashing me the expensive Swiss timepiece. “You know I got it. So come and get it.”

The game ends with a score of 3-1. We won, but I didn’t score our third point. That honor went to Lindberg. I suppose that means Teddy will be keeping my watch for now.

“Good game,” says Denison, patting my back as I make my way down the tunnel to the dressing room.

It was a good game. Not my best, but I haven’t been at my best for weeks now. It still felt good to be fully back in my element and doing what I love. My performance tonight gives me hope. It’s a feeling I haven’t felt in the longest time. It tells me everything may just be okay.

“Hey, Karlsson! Hurry up. They need you and Jake for press!”

How could I forget?

I strip off my kit as quickly as possible. The assistant equipment manager, Cody, takes all the pieces that will go to laundry. After the quickest shower of my life, I tug on my Rays tech shirt and shorts and a pair of athletic slides. The last things I grab is the pair of gold rings tucked in the inside pocket of my suit coat. I slip the smaller ring on the pinkie of my right hand, my mother’s wedding ring. The larger ring goes on my left hand, proof of my marriage to Teddy.

Jake is ready almost as fast. Then we make our way down the hallway towards the press corral. He nudges my shoulder as we walk. “Hey, you good?”

“I’m fine.” I know by the look on his face that he doesn’t believe me.

“K … well, I’ll be right there. Say the word, and I’ll strip my shirt off and bawk like a chicken. That’ll give them something to talk about.”

Smiling, I gesture with my hand, letting him lead the way out to the corral. Denison is waiting there to take the stage with us. Poppy appears as I turn the corner, dropping her phone from her ear the moment she catches my eye.

“Oh—hold on, Dale.” She hurries over to me, squeezes my hand, and lowers her voice. “The release is live. The press was already buzzing with it because Janine over at ESPN dropped a ‘sneak preview’ of your interview. The little minx. I know she’s just trying to steal my thunder by stealing my headline. But if she thinks she’ll get another favor out of me this century, she’s got another thing coming—”

“It’s okay. This all had to come out eventually.”

She releases a sharp breath. “Really? You’re not mad? I know Janine was my idea.”

“You’ve been wonderful,” I assure her. “But this is my problem. Trust me to handle it?”

She chews her bottom lip, her eyes darting as she searches my face. I know why she’s hesitating. Trust is as hard for her as it is for me. She’s used to being the one who takes care of everything. Whether she wanted the control is beside the point. She has it.

I find myself in the same position—caring for my parents froman ocean away, paying all their bills, and arranging the services that ease their life. I was paying for Karolina’s schooling even while Petra lived. I paid for the apartment they lived in too. Anything to make their lives easier. Now Karolina lives in my home, and with her came Teddy. Even Hanna feels like my responsibility.

I didn’t ask for this position of authority. But it’s mine now, and I will do what I must to protect those who rely on me. Squaring my shoulders, I drop Poppy’s hand and follow Jake and Denison out onto the press stage. The media scrambles as cameras flash. They’re already shouting for me as we take our seats.

“Karlsson, we hear congratulations are in order!”

“Hey, Karlsson, when did you first know you were gay?”

“Hey, Coach, what’s with these guys all marrying your PTs?”

Denison leans into his microphone. “If anyone has any questions about the game or this franchise, we’d be happy to answer.” He looks around, eyes narrowed against the lights, and points. “Yeah, Gill?”

Off to the left, a beefy-looking white guy lowers his hand. “Great game there, Coach. This question is for Karlsson. How did it feel to score your first goal of the season in the first game of the season?”

All eyes and all lenses focus on me.

Clearing my throat, I lean in towards my microphone, elbows folded on the table. “It felt good. Just before the puck dropped, Ramsay told me I should consider retiring. I’m not sure if he even made it to the neutral zone before I scored with the puck they passed to him.”

The press laughs. Leaning over in his chair, Jake shakes my shoulder. “Come on, man. Don’t leave me now. We’ve got a pact, remember? We’re both gonna play till we’re ninety.”

Before he loses his chance, Gill catches my eye again. “And hey, Karlsson—big news announced tonight. You got married this summer?”

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