Page 94 of Edging Coach
“She knew. As I grew up, I could see. We’d watched several movies with gay couples. Happy, positive movies. None of those films where one or both of the gay men die. And she showed me a couple of lesbian films as well.”
“Was she…?”
I shook my head. “Well, not that I ever knew.” I considered. “And at least one trans movie—which was a bigger deal thirteen years ago. She wanted me never to have prejudices. To accept everyone as they were.”
“That’s incredibly progressive.”
I shrugged. “I didn’t have the luxury of being able to hold something against someone. Well, I might be pissed off by bigots, racists, homophobes, and sexists. She also taught me to stand up for others—but to always be aware of my safety.”
“She sounds like she was a very smart woman.”
I kissed his cheek. “She really was.”
He grasped my hand. “I’d never push you to do something you weren’t comfortable with. I think I was just curious why a beer or two would be a hardno.”
“Well, first, I don’t hold my booze particularly well.”
“You’re a hockey player.” Said with just a touch of disbelief.
I chuckled. “Hence never driving—even after only one. I’ll take risks on the ice, but not outside. I need to be in the best shape I can if I want to be called up.”
“You’ll be called up.” He held my gaze with his intense dark-brown eyes. “You’re the most talented player on the team?—”
“One of.”
He shook his head.
“Jack, you can’t say shit like that. People will think you’re playing favorites. There are others?—”
“Not with your talent. You’ve got the entire package, and Toronto were fucking idiots to give you up.”
“We lost to them.”
“Because our offense needs work—not because of anything you did or didn’t do. You weren’t rattled at playing them. You kept your cool.”
“You would’ve done the same. Hell, you did. You got traded. You faced your old teammates. You were the better man.”
He winced.
I cocked my head. “Oh really? Do tell.”
He rose. “I’ll rinse out the beer bottles and put them in the recycling.”
I followed him to the kitchen. We’d put the plates in the dishwasher and already tucked the leftover pizza in the fridge. I looked forward to that tomorrow. Nothing better than cold pizza. Silly Jack disagreed. He said pizza had to be reheated to be enjoyed.
Something we’d agreed to disagree about.
Truthfully, there were few things. We shared so many similar views—from politics to music to movies. We were different generations and yet we might’ve been born the same year. So did that make me old or him young? Was I more mature for my age? I got that sometimes. Because I didn’t party or drink, or do stupid shit.
Cow tipping?Thank God that hadn’t worked.
“What now?” Jack stood before me as my mind had wandered. “Is vanilla sex off the table?” He arched an eyebrow. “Hell, do you even do vanillasex?”
I laughed. “Sometimes. Admittedly, not often.” I considered. “I’m usually able to find willing kinky people. Toronto was full of them.”
“Gay, kinky people?”
“Hell yes. You have no idea. I even scoped out Vancouver after the trade was announced.”
