I snort at that. Honestly, the answer to that should be clear after the last couple of weeks, as we've struggled to put up any points. Still, our dominant start to the season still has us sitting in first place in the division.
“Not if we can help it.” I take a long sip of my beer, wishing I could just leave.
“That Carter kid is so fucking fast.” This comes from a goalie from Dallas, though a Toronto winger is nodding next to him.
I had wondered whether Jamie would come up, or whether there was a league-wide unspokenDon't Ask, Don't Tellpolicy around him. Still, I can't help but feel...proud?Smug, even?
“Bet you wish your GM's had the balls to draft him.” The words are out before I can even think them. Around the table, eyes widenwith surprise – mine included. The Dallas goalie breaks the silence first, erupting in a huge laugh. Relief floods me.
“Ain'tthatthe fucking truth. We get the first pick overall and go with some delinquent? I bet Williamson sees the inside of a jail cell before he sees NHL ice time.”
I snort at this brutal – if honest – evaluation.
“No way I take that bet – especially since you and I both know he'salreadyseen the inside of a jail cell.”
He exhales sharply, rolling his eyes.
“Fucking waste of a first overall.”
One of the guys across the table - a winger from Detroit, I think? - seems less convinced.
“But isn't it...weird?”
I know immediately what he's saying, but decide to pretend I don't.
“Isn't what weird?”
He looks around, trying to decide how to phrase this.
“You know, having a...gay guy...on the team? In thelocker room?”
The table seems split on this. A few are nodding, but Holmes and the Dallas goalie seem to roll their eyes.
“I mean...no? What the fuck are you guys doing in your locker room?”
I haven't been in this league for ten years tonotknow how to handle dumb homophobic shit. And by far the quickest way to shut it down has always been to turn it right back at them. Sure enough, the winger's cheeks turn pink, embarrassed at what I've implied.
But for the first time, I don't feel the rush of relief to not have to talk about it any more. Instead, I feel like...part of the problem? I haven't helped him understand how he's wrong, I've just used the same homophobia to makehimfeel bad.
I take a deep breath and try again.
“Nah, man. I'm just kidding. Carter's been super chill. He's a team player, and the kid works harder than any rookie I've everworked with. It just hasn't been a problem in the room. He's gay, we know it, and that's all.”
“That's...all?” This comes from Holmes, and remembering his eyeroll earlier, I choose to take it in the best possible light.
“I mean, other teams have been dickheads, and I can't say I'm thrilled with how the league is handling it. But the Huskies? They've been solid from day one.”
The rest of the table seems to consider this, some less convinced than others. Finally, the goalie from Dallas – Bellaire? – speaks up.
“In that case, I'm glad you guys got him. My team would have been a fucking nightmare.”
On this, the whole table seems to agree, and the conversation moves on. But while they discuss other rookies and coaching changes, I can't help but be just a little bit...proud? For the first time, I pushed back, and it didn't totally backfire.
Maybe I'm not such a liar after all.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
JAMIE
