“Guys,” I spoke. “Before everyone goes, I have something to say.”
My teammates turned to me and I waved for the coaches and other staff to gather around too.
“You good, Coop?” Butcher asked.
I bobbed my head with a small smile. “Yeah. It’s time.”
His eyes widened in understanding and I looked at my other close friends. They nodded their understanding as well.
Taking a deep breath, I said, “I’m not sure if you all have noticed, but there have been moments when I appeared distracted and not acting like myself. Times I was too caught up in the things running through my head that I couldn’t focus on hockey. Maybe some of you won’t like what I’m about to say and if you have a problem, you can come talk to me directly, but it doesn’t change who I am on the ice.”
“What is it?” Goulet wondered.
This was it. There was no turning back. If someone in the organization had a problem, that was on them. I was still Emmett Cooper.
I took another long breath before saying, “I’m gay.”
8
Ford
After I leftCoop’s place, a sudden urge to take some time for myself and clear my head hit me. My grandparents had been on my mind since Grandpa broke his leg, and I thought it would be a good idea to travel to Vermont and check on him, and also help my grandma out with anything around the house.
Some could see the trip as me running away again like I had after college when I couldn’t face the fallout from what I’d done to Tyler and Hayden, but it didn’t feel the same to me.
It was upsetting that things always seemed to be messed up between Coop and me, but for the first time, I wasn’t trying to escape from how I was feeling. I just wanted to spend a couple of days in a peaceful environment where I could concentrate on the things my therapist wanted me to work on, a place where I could make some progress on my healing journey like I thought I had over that summer with Coop.
I grabbed my phone and sent Grandma a text knowing she’d be up late watchingThe Tonight Show.
Are you up for having a houseguest for a couple days?
It only took a few seconds for her to respond.
Do you want to come visit?
I thought some time in Vermont might be good for me. Plus, I can check on Grandpa and help you with anything around the house
We’d love to see you, but don’t tell your grandfather you’re checking on him. He swears he’s fine and doesn’t want anyone making a fuss over him
Ok. I won’t tell him anything. Can I come up tomorrow?
Of course, sweetie. There’s always a room for you here
I smiled, reading her last message. I could always count on my family. No matter how crappy the rest of my life was, I knew my family loved me, and were always there if I needed them.
Great! I’ll see you around lunchtime
I can’t wait. Drive careful
I will
Deciding I needed a shower before bed, I plugged my phone in, and headed for the bathroom.
As I made my way back to my room, a towel wrapped around my waist, I heard the ding of a text notification. When I picked up my phone, I was surprised to see Coop’s name on the screen. After leaving his place the way I had, I’d assumed he wouldn’t be reaching out anytime soon.
Curious about what he had to say, I swiped the message to open it.
You forgot the jersey
