Page 51 of The Callahan Effect

I'd been thinking exactly the same thing.

The nerves I'd managed to keep under control throughout practice returned. Telling Dad I was gay had never featured in any plan I'd made for my life, yet hiding Mason already felt wrong. Together we crossed the ice.

Dad noticed us approaching, frowned, and dismissed Nolan. "We'll finish this tomorrow."

Once we were alone, his attention moved between us.

"Everything all right?"

Can we talk in private?

His expression grew more serious.

"Of course."

A few minutes later the three of us were sitting in his office with the door closed. Dad remained behind his desk, although it was obvious from the way he watched us that he already knew this wasn't a conversation about hockey.

"What is it?"

My hands felt strangely unsteady as I typed.

I've met someone.

It's Mason, Dad. I'm gay.

For several long seconds he read the screen before raising his eyes to meet mine. Then he pinned his gaze on Mason.

Mason didn't hesitate.

"Jack and I care about each other, Coach. We know we haven't known each other very long, but we wanted you to hear it from us first because you're Jack's father and my coach. I'll be telling my family next, but until then we'd like to keep this between the people who need to know."

Dad leaned back in his chair, the surprise obvious but not accompanied by disappointment.

"So...this started when you arrived?"

"The attraction was there from the beginning. Yesterday we finally admitted it to each other, and last night we decided we wanted to see where the relationship could lead."

Dad studied me.

"Is this what you want?"

I didn't hesitate and signed yes.

Dad didn't answer immediately.

He studied my face for several long moments, then looked across at Mason before returning his attention to me. The silence wasn't uncomfortable, but I could see him working through everything we'd just told him.

Finally, he nodded.

"Then that's the only answer I needed."

Relief swept through me so quickly my knees weakened.

Dad folded his hands on the desk.

"I'm your father before I'm your coach, Jack. Nothing about that changes." His attention shifted to Mason. "As your coach, I'll tell you exactly what I'd tell any player in a relationship. Don't bring it into the locker room, don't let it divide the team, and don't allow it to affect your hockey."

"It won't," Mason answered.