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He nodded and changed the subject, talking about the upcoming game against Tampa, about normal hockey things, about his plans for Thanksgiving. “You should come. Morelli too.”

I hummed noncommittally, but after he left, I lay in bed thinking about what he’d said.

“Whatever it is, you can tell me.”

Could I? Should I?

I pulled out my phone and texted Marco.

Étienne

I want to tell Kinnunen.

The response took a few minutes.

Marco

Tell him what?

Étienne

That I’m bi. Not about us—that’s your decision. Just about me. About who I am.

Marco

Why?

Étienne

Because I need someone to know. Someone I can talk to. Someone who isn’t you.

Marco

What if he tells someone?

Étienne

He won’t.

Marco

You don’t know that.

Étienne

I trust him.

Marco

If he tells the wrong person. If it gets back to Boucher… And what about management?

Étienne

I know the risks. But I can’t keep this inside. It’s suffocating.

There was a long pause before his response came.

Marco