Page 6 of Rivals

“Impressive.” I watched as he sat the steamy concoction in front of me. The strong chocolate smell made my mouth water in anticipation. “This is going to be crazy good, isn’t it?”

“Yup. It’ll make you wish you lived here so you could have this all the time.”

“Speaking of, I assume you live near here. You seem to know a lot of people.”

He nodded. “Yeah, just a couple blocks away.”

“Just starting out and living around here? Well done.” I was impressed. This was not a cheap neighborhood even in Detroit’s depressed economy.

“I do okay. I room with two other guys. Pooling our resources got us a good space.”

“Ah yes, roomies. I have one of those, too. I long for a place of my own. Hopefully I’ll pull that off in a year or two.” I decided to dive in and get the info I really wanted. Hopefully I was going to phrase it right and not make it look too obvious. “So besides work and some hockey, what do you do for fun? Girlfriend in the picture?”

He worked to keep a straight face before a soft laugh took over. “Is your gaydar that weak?” I started to stammer out something stupid, but he answered before I got anything out of my mouth. “I’m gay, Mitchell. I haven’t been out as long as you have, but it’s true.”

I took a long drink of the chocolate goodness to process that information.

“I heard about you, of course, while you were playing for Michigan.” He started talking again so I didn’t have to. “It was pretty big news when the rumors kicked up. Then it was official and a ton of news coverage followed, including some that I wrote about—the Spartans reactions. It never became old news to me though. I thought about getting in touch a few times, but I never got up the courage. And then there you were at the rink yesterday and everything came flooding back. You’ve no idea how much I wanted to tackle you on the other side of the face off dot.”

“Actually, I think I do. Why did you have to get up the nerve to talk to me? It’s not like we were mortal enemies.”

“Stupid stuff in my head, you know. I wasn’t comfortable being out until last year. I finally told my parents and some close friends. But, I kept freaking myself out over it.” Alex looked into his coffee. I was surprised his confidence wavered. “One day I found an article from OutSports on you. It must have been one of the first when you came out.” He looked back at me. “You said ‘I don’t care what other people think. I’ll fight them off me on the ice if I have to, but I’m not going to hide. I’m not going to apologize. If that means the team doesn’t want me, I’d be sad about that, but I wouldn’t regret my choice to live honestly.’”

“Wow. I think you just quoted that verbatim.”

He smiled. “I kinda memorized it, especially that last part.” Now he looked embarrassed.

I reached across the table and brought one of his hands to my mouth and kissed it softly. “I don’t know what to say. I’m honored that after all this time you remember that.”

He tightened his grip on my hand. “My heart is pounding so fast right now, just having you hold my hand.”

I was thrilled. This boy—no, this man—I’d crushed on for years was holding my hand. My thumb caressed the fine hairs on his wrist as we stared at each other.

“So I’ve got to ask. Are you seeing someone? Am I going to get beat up by some other hockey player?”

I laughed. “No. I’ve hardly had time for dates since graduation with moving and the new job.”

“I can’t believe no one has grabbed you up”

“Mr. Right hasn’t stepped up yet. What about you?”

“I’ve dated some over the past year, mostly to see what the scene is like. I’ve made a couple of good friends that way, but no Mr. Right for me either.”

I downed the rest of my chocolate coffee. “In the mood for a walk? It’s such a nice night, seems a shame to stay cooped up in here.”

“Sounds good to me.” Alex gave my hand a quick squeeze before he released it. He turned to the barista. “Marty, two regular coffees to go please?”

“You got it, Alex.”

“A little warmth to take with us,” Alex said.

“Nice.” My phone vibrated in my pocket and I sighed. “One second. I gotta see if this is work.”

“No problem. I’ll get the coffee.”

I pulled out my phone and it was a text from Trevor: Is it a date, or not? I smiled and decided he could wait.

“Not work, huh?” Alex handed me a cup. “Nope, just a nosy brother.”