Coach sighs. “Come with me. Now.”
A few of the other guys give us tight smiles. Having to speak to Coach alone is not a good sign. Noah and I have been in the news too much. We were once worried about feigning being together, but now that we’ve realized thatpart comes easy to us, we’re everywhere. Wasn’t Tanaka worried about us? Didn’t he complain that he bought a sports team?
We’re not going to be traded. We’re not going to be traded. We’re not going to be traded.
Coach Holberg flings open a door, and it’s not to his office.
Tanaka greets us with a cursory nod. He sits at a desk.
God, we’re in Tanaka’s office. Why?
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Noah
I thought Finn and I were playing well, but Coach Holberg has brought us to see the owner as if we’re misbehaving students who need to see the principal.
My heartbeat quickens, and I step closer to Finn.
“You have become famous, boys,” Tanaka says.
“Noah is new to Boston,” Finn explains. “I’ve been showing him around.”
“He must be an expert now.” Tanaka scrolls down a website. “It seems you’ve been everywhere.”
“I try to be thorough.” Finn’s voice wavers.
Tanaka narrows his gaze. “Have a seat.”
Finn and I sit down abruptly, and Tanaka’s lips curl.
“You’ve provided a lot of publicity for the Blizzards.”
“Is that a problem?” Finn asks carefully.
“We would like to monetize it better,” Tanaka says. “We want youto represent the Blizzards.”
“Really?” Finn’s jaw drops. “But doesn’t Evan always do that?”
“Yes. But for some reason Evan wants his privacy.” Tanaka’s eyes dance. “It’s his preference. I think we all know the reason why, even though no official press conferences have been held.”
“Yes,” Finn says.
“Perhaps ironically, we have found that you are the most recognizable people in the team. Obviously, we would like to work with you.”
“You don’t mind that, um...” Finn glances at me, then his voice trails off.
“That you’re gay?” Tanaka asks.
Finn flinches, and I realize that’s not a word he associates himself with. Unlike me, Finn did really seem to like women.
Tanaka is already leaning back in his chair. “We pride ourselves on being modern. We welcome diversity. We want gay children to grow up knowing they can play hockey. Gone is the time when we sent for straight white Canadians to play.”
“I suppose that is virtuous,” Finn says slowly.
“Of course, it’s virtuous.” Tanaka’s tone is stern. “The PR team will set you up with some meetings with charities and photoshoots.”
Finn nods. “We want to be helpful.”
