Ivy is still holding onto my arm, looking up at me with big, pleading eyes that make me snort a laugh. This girl has no right looking that innocent.
“Fine,” I agree, looking at Ivy as I answer, but everyone else in the room exhales a collective sigh of relief. They must really want me to do this.
I should have asked for money. I hope this guy is as hot as I’m now imagining.
CHAPTER 03: OLLIE
“You good?” Hudson asks from his spot next to me on the bench in our locker room. He gently places a hand on my knee, probably to get me to stop bouncing it, as he shoots me a concerned look. We’re waiting here with Adrian for confirmation on if this photoshoot will even be happening, and the wait feels endless. Lottie texted us a few minutes ago saying the guy was here, but he has to agree once they give him more information.
“Yeah. I’m fantastic. Super. Well, mostly excited. I guess a little nervous too, ya know?” I let out a short chuckle after my rambling.
Adrian stands from Hudson’s other side to move in front of me. “Nervous? Are you having second thoughts? We don’t have to—”
“No! I want to, definitely. More like, nervous that the guy they picked won’t agree to participate, or that we won’t have any chemistry and this whole big production will have been planned for nothing.”
Hudson leans in to bump his shoulder against mine. “Not for nothing; we’ve raised a lot of money already just from the contest submissions. I’m sure we’ll raise more after they post everything, too. Even if you don’t participate, the other guys will. It’s all good.”
I let out a big sigh, trying to expel some of my nerves with it and focus on the excitement. “You’re right. I’m glad they made this a charity thing.”
Adrian makes a high-pitched shriek sound and flashes his phone at us. “He said yes!”
“Fuck yeah!” I jump up and run a hand down my shirt in an attempt to smooth it. On the off chance that this actually does turn out to be a real date, I wanted to look nice, so I have on a light-blue button-up shirt and navy slacks. I think I look pretty hot actually, if I do say so myself. Hopefully my mystery man will agree.
“Sadie is getting him situated right now in the conference room we’ve set up as a makeshift photography studio,” Adrian explains, still looking at his phone. “She said she’ll come get you as soon as he’s ready.”
Adrian fusses over my hair and outfit a bit more while we wait. “Just be yourself. I’m sure it’ll go great!”
“Thanks, Dad,” I tease, but I really do appreciate how invested he and Hudson are, and that everyone else wants today to go well as much as I do. Adrian rolls his eyes, but before he can say anything further, a woman I don’t recognize with straight brown hair is knocking on the door we have propped open.
Lottie is also there, standing behind the woman I’m assuming is today’s photographer, so she must be leading her around. The photographer waves, offering us all a warm smile before her gaze locks on me. “Hey, I’m Sadie. I’m ready whenever you are, Oliver.”
I nod, hoping that my smile doesn’t look too nervous, and I follow them back toward the conference rooms. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too. And I hope this works out for you. I wish it didn’t have to be a big deal, but I love that you want to do it in a way that kind of calls out how it shouldn’t have to be one.”
I laugh. “Yeah, I’ve never wanted to hide anything, but I like the idea Lottie came up with and doing it on our terms. I’m excited this is finally happening.”
“But no pressure. We’ll figure something else out if this doesn’t work!” Lottie quickly adds.
We slow down as we approach the door, and Sadie steps in front of it to stop me from entering. “Okay, we have your date in front of a plain backdrop I’ve set up in there. He’s facing away, but I’ll still ask you to close your eyes and let me lead you into place if that’s alright?”
I try to ignore the nerves in my stomach at the worddateas I nod, and she takes my hand. I’ve never been on a real date before, in public with other people around and aware of me being interested in another man. I close my eyes, blindly following her as I remind myself that this isn’t something to freak out over. Sadie seems really cool, bubbly, and positive. Good vibesfor sure. And I trust the team here; I know they won’t release anything that would be embarrassing or make me look bad. I’m excited to come out. It’s something I’ve wanted for years.
Still, not knowing who's waiting for me is nerve-racking.
“Eyes closed, we’re here!” Sadie announces to my date. “Okay, right there. Perfect. You’re standing back-to-back now. Is it alright if I place your hand in his?”
“Sure,” a male voice answers confidently from behind me, and I quickly nod my agreement.
She moves my hand back and hers is replaced by a much larger one. Our fingers intertwine, and I can’t hold back my giant smile at the reminder of what’s really happening. I’m holding hands with a man, and someone is taking pictures to post online with my team’s full support.I won’t have to hide anymore.
I get to be myself and still play hockey.
“You can open your eyes if you haven’t already, wait a moment, and then you can turn around and meet your date,” Sadie instructs, sounding almost as excited as I feel. “If you need direction, I’ll offer some, but I want everything to be really natural, whatever you’re both comfortable with. So just do what feels right, and I’ll jump in when needed.”
I open my eyes and take a final deep breath. There’s extra lighting set up, and Sadie is darting around with a fancy-looking camera. She quickly looks between us, her lens, and what I’m assuming is the camera screen on the back as she photographs the moment from different angles, adjusting things on the camera as she does.
Still holding his hand, I turn around to face my date, and I let out an embarrassingly loud gasp when I finally see him.
