“Wait out there.” Petrosian pointed to his door. “Have some coffee. We’ll be out in a minute.”
I’d hoped this would be a simple thing— tell them the truth, have them accept it, and move on.Guess it’s not that simple.I nodded, Zeke opened the door, and we stepped through, closing it behind us. There was a coffee pot with mugs on a little stand, but anything I put in my stomach would come right back up. I’d barely eaten since practice, hadn’t been able to choke down much of what Zeke tried to feed me in the short time we’d hadat home. So maybe some of my lightheadedness was hunger, but I felt disconnected from the world. I wanted to grab for Zeke’s hand, but wouldn’t let anyone see me that weak.
Then Zeke set his palm on the small of my back. The warm touch grounded me, and I turned to him. “So that went well.”
“I think it went fine,” he said. “Give them a minute.”
“All I want is to play hockey.”
“I think they know that.”
I stared out the window across the room, a view of gray sky and tall buildings beyond that I barely saw.What if they didn’t believe me? What if I just screwed over my whole career?
Zeke rubbed my back with his thumb, small subtle movements that reminded me he was right there with me.
I love you.This was the wrong place to say the words, but I shifted my gaze from the window to his eyes and tried to smile.
Then the door behind us opened and Petrosian and Yin came out. They didn’t look upset or angry. I turned to face them with Zeke at my side, his hand falling away. I missed that contact, held my breath.
Petrosian said, “Given that you’ve been almost singlehandedly dragging the Foxes towards the playoffs, I have no objections to the way you’ve been playing.” He gave Yin a sideways glance. “I just want the Dragons to keep their goalies healthy so we have a chance at our own Cup. The pain of being a PHL team is losing our best guys to the NAPH right when we need them.”
My breath whooshed out.
Yin smirked. “Sure, I’ll keep two of the NAPH’s top goalies healthy, just to please you, Nathan.” He turned to me. “Send me the receipt from the You Can Play foundation, and the contact info for the Gambling Board officer in charge of your case.”
“It’s still an open case,” Zeke noted. “They may refuse to speak with you about it. And they would ask you not to discuss it with anyone.”
“I don’t need the details, just a basic confirmation.” He kept his gaze on me. “I believe you, Fitzpatrick, however ‘trust but verify’ is my policy. You’re doing very well this season. We had offers to trade you, but it’s my hope to see you in Dragons colours, if and when Anosov retires. Continue honing your skills, and you’ll do very well.” He pivoted and clapped Petrosian on the shoulder. “See you tomorrow, Nathan.”
We all watched his tall, slim form in the impeccable suit as he strode out.
Petrosian said, “Right. Anything else I can do for you, Fitzgerald? If not, go on out and win some more games for us.”
“Yes, sir,” I said. Some bit of me that couldn’t be quiet added, “Maybe pick up a good goal-scorer for next year?”
Luckily, he laughed. “Your words to the draft gods’ ears. Get out of here, Fitzer.”
Zeke and I made our way out of the building, my head still in a daze until the cool mist woke me up there on the plaza outside the main doors. I turned to Zeke and grabbed him, planting a big kiss on his smiling lips.
He kissed me back, but said, “You do realize we’re out in public right in front of the hockey arena where you’re pretty sure to be recognized?”
I glanced around and saw two people had stopped with phones out. After a second of panic, I waved to them.I’m out. I love Zeke. I don’t care who knows it.I pointed to Zeke. “Awesome boyfriend, right?” Wrapping my arms around him, I kissed him again.
After a minute, Zeke laughed, mussed my hair, and stepped back. “You need to eat something. I need to get to work. Beforeyou do something to earn me a lecture about the dignity of the uniform.”
“Oops.” I quit reaching for him. “Will you get in trouble?”
“Nah. I’m off duty, and I’m allowed to kiss my significant other. But your hand on my butt was pushing the limits.”
“Sorry.”
“I’m not. I’m not sorry about anything with you.”
“You should go,” I told him. “I’ll call for a ride.” Lyft home wouldn’t be cheap, but Foxes’ and Dragons’ management had just confirmed they saw me in the NAPH in the not-too-distant future. I could splurge. “Wake me up when you get home tonight?”
“It’ll be late.”
“I know. Four in the morning. Wake me anyway.”
