Page 25 of Hooking the Captain
Sounds good. See you later
I jumped in the shower and then headed downstairs to see what my parents were up to.
The morning sun spilled through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the stairs as I made my way down, and the smell of coffee lingered in the air.
When I was almost at the bottom, I could hear the low hum of my parents’ conversation, and I slowed my pace to catch snippets of their discussion.
“... just wondering why he’s staying so long this time.”
“I know. He’s always had a tight training schedule during the off-season. It’s not like him to linger,” Dad replied.
I rounded the corner and entered the kitchen, attempting to act casual despite the growing knot in my stomach. My parents looked up, and they both smiled.
“Morning, son,” Dad greeted, and took a sip of his coffee.
“Morning,” I replied, forcing a smile as I poured myself a cup.
“Sit down, sweetheart.” Mom gestured to the chair beside her.
I eyed her curiously. “Is everything all right?”
“We’ve been meaning to talk to you,” Mom began cautiously. “You’ve stayed longer than usual this summer. Is everything okay with you?”
I hesitated, glancing down at the swirling dark liquid in my cup. “Yeah, I just needed a break, some time to enjoy being back home.”
Dad raised an eyebrow, his gaze penetrating. “Something’s different with you. You’re usually back in Boston so you can use the team’s weight room. Is something going on there?”
I shook my head. “Nothing is going on with the Bruins. Can’t I just enjoy being home?”
“Of course, Emmy.” Mom stood and wrapped an arm around my back. I was several inches taller than her five-four frame. “But call it mother’s intuition. I feel like something else is going on.”
I took a deep breath, my heart pounding. As I stared at the coffee in my hands, it was on the tip of my tongue to tell them what I’d hidden from everyone except Hayden. Remembering that they were my parents and they loved me was all it took to lock in my decision. They hadn’t ever made negative comments or treated anyone badly because of their sexuality. Why would I be any different? I looked up to meet my father’s stare and then looked down at my mother. “Yeah, there is. I’ve met someone.”
Mom’s face lit up as she took a step back. “Well, that’s wonderful! Why didn’t you tell us sooner?”
“There’s more.” I swallowed hard, the lump in my throat making it difficult to speak, and I rubbed the back of my neck with my free hand. “I’ve … I’ve met a guy.”
Silence hung in the air as my parents stared at each other. I braced myself for their reaction, suddenly unsure how they would respond.
Dad broke the silence. “Are you trying to tell us you’re gay?”
“Yeah,” I nodded, my voice barely above a whisper. “I am.”
For a moment, no one said anything. I felt their eyes on me, and then my parents exchanged a look that seemed to communicate an understanding. They both engulfed me in a hug as we stood in the middle of the kitchen in a huddle.
“Emmy, sweetheart.” Mom looked up at me. “We love you no matter who you want to date.”
Dad nodded, a supportive smile on his face. “You’re our son, and nothing will ever change that.”
Tears welled in my eyes, a mixture of relief and gratitude washing over me. “Thanks, but I’m not sure I’ll ever come out publicly while playing in the NHL.”
“We understand.” Dad stepped back and returned to his seat. “It’s likely not everyone will be accepting.”
“Yeah.” I sat next to him at the table. “I’d rather be known as Emmett Cooper, the greatest hockey center of all time, than Emmett Cooper, the gay hockey player.”
“Or you could be known as both,” Mom stated. “Show everyone that your sexuality has nothing to do with your hockey skills.”
I blew out a breath. “Maybe, but the guy I’m seeing isn’t out either, so we’ll see how it goes.”
