Page 46 of Icebreaker

Axel didn't quit. "We're not just two voices shouting into the wind. We've got allies, including some of our teammates. We're creating space for players like us. There is still resistance, but there's support, too. Our story is an important part of the fight."

Dante's expression softened. "I really do hope for the best for both of you. You're braver than me. Maybe you will pave the way for guys like me to have a better future in hockey. Show them who we are and what we can be. Please show them."

He turned and walked away. I was happy to finally gain some closure to Axel's long, torturous relationship with Dante, but his warnings weren't without merit. I shivered, thinking about what we might face in the future.

I turned to Axel, and he grinned. "Let's do this. Let's change the world."

Chapter fifteen

Axel

As I entered the locker room, the steel door closed behind me, creating a barrier separating me from the rest of the world. Some of my teammates still watched me with a wary eye, but it was nothing compared to the flurry of scrutiny Dante unleashed online. I reached closure with Dante, but that did nothing to stop the rumors and questions others generated about my relationship with Quinn.

On most days, the locker room sounds were comforting, but this one wasn't like most others. The skates scraping on the concrete grated against my frayed nerves. I sat on a bench and lowered my head. I needed to focus on the gearing-up routine and ignore what was happening around me.

Quinn pulled up and sat close, fidgeting with his jersey, looking like he couldn't get it to fall right on his body. Anxiety vibrated off his body, and I wanted to reach out and comfort him.

Painfully aware of the few negative voices on the team, I held back and hesitated. It was better to lightly bump his shoulder than set off a new set of speculative comments.

I heard a loud, purposeful throat clearing and looked up. Rick stood in the center of the locker room, trying to get our attention. With his shoulders squared and his stance set wide, he looked ready to take on anyone who might challenge him.

"Alright, men, look at me and listen." His voice resonated, echoing off the walls. The room was suddenly eerily quiet as Rick's gaze swept over the team. He looked directly at one face after the other to drive his message home.

"We've all seen and heard the latest noise, the crap flying around online and in radio talk shows. Let me be crystal clear. I only want to say this once; it should be clear already. Axel and Quinn are not just our teammates; they're our brothers. Also, this locker room is sacred ground for the Lumberjacks. What anyone says here stays here, and we treat each other with abundant respect in this space."

Max joined Rick, and I raked my fingers through my hair, almost in disbelief at what I heard. The fluorescent lights cast rugged shadows on Max's sculpted face. "Rick's right," he added in a voice just as forceful. "We're a team, which means we back each other on and off the ice. If you think otherwise, maybe Portland isn't the city for you."

The others in the room remained silent. The only audible sounds were occasional soft rustles of jerseys and the slight clink of buckles fastened. I glanced around. Max and Rick had my teammates' riveted attention.

Max continued with the ferocity of a man preaching abundant truth. "We've got a choice to make about what kind of team we want to be."

I sat up straighter, and my heart pounded in my chest.

"Are we going to disperse the moment one of our own is down? Or will we circle round, like the elephants, and make sure he gets back on his feet?"

The room was silent as his question hung in the air. I held my breath, waiting for his next words.

"I say we protect our own."

Rick looked around the room with a challenging gaze and continued to address the team. "I might be a rookie here in the NHL, but I've been part of many teams already."

I leaned forward with my elbows planted on my knees. The intensity of Rick's voice commanded my attention.

"The ones who win are those who take care of each other. It's not just skill that takes you to a championship—heart is necessary, too."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the room. I smiled, feeling hopeful.

"It's fighting for the guy next to you and knowing he'll have your back when the chips are down. We're here to play hockey, but we're here to back each other up, too."

Sticks lightly tapped the floor, creating a sound like distant thunder that gradually grew louder as more joined in. Soon, the sound was bouncing off the walls. It was a striking show of unity and strength.

Before we could go back to gearing up, Coach Fraser entered. He strode to the center of the room, taking the place of Max and Rick. He didn't have to say anything to get the team's attention. His mere presence always drew focused eyeballs. Quiet anticipation hung in the air as we waited for him to speak.

Coach scanned the assembled faces. "Men, we've got a storm swirling around us—tweets, posts, vocal rumors. It is loud enough that it's reached the ears of everyone at the Portland Lumberjacks up to the front office."

My gut instantly twisted into a knot. I remembered the dark days when the rumors about Dante and me burst into the open. The fire didn't take long to spread and scorch everything in its path. I hoped the new situation would be different.

Coach continued, and it pulled my attention back to the present. "Let me lay down the law here—this organization stands firm behind Axel and Quinn. From the execs to the trainers and the guy who drives the Zamboni, we've come together to support them. They are part of our hockey family, and what they do in their private lives is their business. We would back up any of you the same way."

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