Page 90 of Trouble in Love
“Thought so.”
The bus rattled to life and slowly pulled from the curb. “Have you been together long? You and your boy?” I asked, dropping my voice.
Carter slid lower into his seat and glanced around before replying. Rory was in the row behind us, already passed out cold, and the one behind him was empty. “Since junior year. He plays hockey, too, but he got drafted to our home team, the B’s. He’s playing in Providence.”
“At least he’s close by.”
“Yeah. It’s not the same, though.”
“Just imagine how hot it will be when he makes it to the B‘s list, and you have to play against each other? Skating with a boner is never fun, but getting rid of it after the game always is.”
Finally, I got a laugh.
“Post-game sex was always my favorite,” he said, shifting in his seat, classic instant boner style.
“Cheers to that, little dude.”
Carter glanced up from his book, giving me a once-over, trust slowly emerging. “While you were gone, Brookes told me yourqueerness was bad for the team’s image, and that if I knew what was good for me and my kid, I’d keep my mouth shut.”
“One, Brookes is an asshole. Two, your kid? You have a kid?”
“Kinda,” Carter shrugged. “He’s my little brother. He’s only three, but we lost our parents when he was a baby, and my sister and I raised him. I told Dallas he wasn’t my son, but I don’t think he was listening.”
“He wasn’t ‘cause he is an asshole.” Another chuckle had my young teammate sitting up a little straighter. “And I’m sorry about your mom and dad. Good on you for stepping up and taking on such a big responsibility. I can’t imagine how hard it would have been to balance school, hockey, and parenting.”
“And coming out,” he added with a huff. He turned to the window and drew a hockey stick in the foggy glass. “Everyone at home knows I’m gay. Just haven’t told anyone on the team except for Brookes. He only knows ‘cause we roomed together in the pre-season. He and his manager, Chris, busted Jasper and me Face Timing. Luckily, we were only talking, but they heard us.”
I almost choked on air. “Chris. His manager’s name was Chris? It wasn’t Chris Night, was it?”
Carter’s finger stilled just as he was adding the puck. “Am I in trouble if I say yes?”
“Of course not. I’m just curious.”
“Oh, in that case, yes. It was Chris Night, and he gave me his card. Do you know him? He seemed like kind of a d—–”
“Dick? Yes, he is, and not the kind you and I like.” I ran my hand over my two-week growth. “When did Chris start representing Brookes.”
“That I don’t know. But he did agree with Brookes about me staying closeted.”
“Yeah. I’m sure he did.” I twisted in my seat, grabbed Carter’s shoulders, and looked him straight in the eye. “I’m not going totell you or anyone when, or if, or how they should come out. But I will say this. You should never have to hide who you are, and anyone who tells you that you must is a coward. If you want to bring your man to a game and have him in your jersey, bring him to a game. You have every right, and I will be standing behind you cheering you on all the way … Just not for the post-game sex.”
The blush was back. And mutual. “That’s probably for the best.”
“Good. Lecture time is over. Now, scoot over and share that book. I want to read more about Olan.”
As asked, he held the book between us, and we read in a comfortable silence for most of the twenty-minute drive. Just as the bus began to pull off the freeway, Carter began shifting in his seat.
“He’s actually coming to the game tonight.”
“Who, Marvin?”
“No, you dick, not fictional character blowing his boyfriend. Jasper. My Boyfriend. He and my brother Donny flew down to stay with his aunt. They’re all coming to see the game.” With a sigh, his head dropped. “I told him not to wear my jersey.”
A fire ignited in my belly. “Is this the first Islanders game he’s seen you play?” He nodded, still looking down at his giant shoes hidden beneath his team-issued backpack. “Do you want him to wear it?”
“Fuck, yeah.”
“Well, my friend, the choice is yours. You can always send him a message but don’t feel any pressure. You’re good, kid. You have a lot of years left to see him wear it. And vice versa. Do it when you’re both ready.”
