Danny

Another hockey practice with my boyfriend has come and gone.

Theo is an outstanding hockey player. I've watched him trip over his own feet at school, but he's so graceful on ice.

It's at this moment that we glide into the locker room that I realize just how fucking lucky I've been these last couple of weeks.

The day after Christmas, we hit up the arcade again, and he beat me at air hockey....cause I didn't use my shifter powers. He was so proud of himself, but he didn't really get cocky. Instead, he told me it was nice to be with someone that wasn't always trying to win....like he could just have fun.

We made out pretty hard in the car that night.

I got the courage to come out to Scott, and he was....actually happy for me. He and Theo hit it off when we went skating on New Year with Bryce and their girlfriends. Watching Theo skate circles around Scott made my day, but seeing him be proud of himself made me happier. I was just excited to be out to my closest friends, even if Megan and Lisa thought we were third wheels.

That's what I love about him. He's smart and has skills, but he'd rather be a good person than knock someone down. However, he's opened up more about his Dad, and I know there's more to the stories, but it burns me up thinking about him getting hurt.

As he pulls off his practice Jersey, I spot one of those wounds from his past, a foot-long scar that runs across his back. He told me he got it once for breaking some special remote his Dad owned. My parents will yell at us until the world ends, but they've never touched us like that. I really can't imagine how he survived.

I lean over to him and whisper, "what's your plan tonight?"

He turns back and adjusts his shirt over his tan chest. Then, he just smiles, "helping Bryce study for English."

I turn to my FORMER best friend, who just grins and says, "sorry. Brenden and I called him at lunch."

"Ughh, this is dumb. The one Friday night this month, we don't have a game. We should do something fun," I say to the three of them.

Coach overhears this and is quick to shout, "none of you idiots will do anything tonight. Be here at 8 am sharp for the bus to Portland."

Theo shakes his head and slings his bag over his head, "I think it's weird that we're playing this tournament. I mean, my old school was there last year."

Bryce shrugs, "it's weird to think we were in the same arena even if we didn't play each other."

Theo and I nod for different reasons. His team ended up winning the 4A tournament, and we got dinged out in the semi-finals for 3A.

Bryce claps me on the back, "come over tonight. We can all study, and then you two can "study" up in Theo's room.

I smile and catch Theo giving me a pleading look. I sigh out cause it's not what I wanted, but it's halfway there. "Ok. Let me text my Dad, and I'll be there." 

The cousins part ways, and Brendan and I head to our cars. He clears his throat, "when's Theo gonna tell Sheriff Collins you two are dating?"

I shrug and toss my hockey bag in the back seat, "that's Theo's business, but hopefully soon." I know he's scared of the reaction, but I really don't think it'll be bad.

******
"Theo! We can't do this," I say in a hushed whisper. He kisses my neck more, and I just moan out, "Come on, babe."

He just rolls his eyes and keeps going, "you. Know. You. Like. It," he says between kisses.

I pull back and give him a smile, "you know I love it. I told you my neck is my weakness....but not when your uncle's right downstairs. The man has a gun and is very protective of you."

Theo smiles and lets out a deep laugh, "you're right he'd kill you, but maybe this weekend we can kick Bryce and Brenden out of the room....like when we had those back-to-back away games."

"Now that," I say with a grin, "is a great plan." 

He pulls me into a kiss, and I'm honestly so happy right now. This is going to be a great weekend.

*******
Theo

I feel the bus come to a stop, but I keep my eyes closed. Just a few seconds more sleep is all I need.

That damn lovable dog was barking again in the middle of the night. This time he was in the house, and we could hear him. Uncle Mason was going to talk to her cause it really affects Mandy and me as our windows are on that side of the house.

My nap is ended as Bryce stands up next to me. I give him an annoyed look, and he just shrugs. When I stand up, he leans closer, "why don't you and Danny sit together on the bus?"

I check that the coast is clear before I answer, "he's not out, and I don't want to draw attention to him like that." 

Bryce shakes his head, "whatever. It's your relationship. Seems dumb."

He knows I'm pissed when I grab my backpack and storm off down the half-empty bus. I ignore Danny and Brenden's calls as I get off the bus, grab my hockey gear, and follow the team into the locker room.

By the time Danny and Bryce walk in, I'm half-dressed for our first game. Today, we'll have 3 Games; If we win all three, we go to the semi-finals tomorrow and, hopefully, the finals. If we win two, then we have a THIRD game tomorrow to make it to the semi-finals. It's a lot of hockey, but it's worth it to win the Pacific Northwest Tournament. Teams from four states and Canada compete for the cup. It's a great way to get schools interested in you. Basically, it's my ticket out of Oregon.

"Ok, boys gather up," shouts Coach Wilson. I move closer to Eric Stone, the senior team captain, and goalie. "Quiet. Good. Now. There isn't much I can say that you haven't heard. We're a great team. We've got a good offense," he says with a wave to Bryce, the other offensive players. "And we've got amazing defense," he says, looking at Eric and me. "We've run these drills a thousand times, and this weekend isn't any different. We're undefeated this season, and I believe in us."

We all look around and nod.

Coach speaks up again, "all in. Titans on three. One. Two. Three."

We all shout our team name and cheer. Even I cheer, which is not like me. Even on my old team, I usually mouthed the words, but I want to be a part of this today.

Again I grab my stick and helmet and head out to the ice. I'm one of the first people out there, and I enjoy my alone time.

Danny skates out after a few minutes and glides over to me like the Viking god he's descended from, "why are you mad at me?" He asks earnestly.

"What? I'm not. I'm annoyed at Bryce....and you were next to him," I say back.

Danny just rolls his eyes at me, "what did he do this time?"

I sigh out and check around us. I don't need coach yelling at us. "He....he doesn't understand why you're not out yet....and....it's dumb. I'll tell him sorry."

"What?!? No....he's doesn't need to know that stuff unless I tell him....but why did it piss you off so much?" He asks as we skate in tight circles warming up with the second and third line defensemen.

I know why...but I don't want to tell him....cause it's dumb. It's my own drama.

"Theo. Tell me. I need to know," says Danny in a very concerned voice.

"I got upset....cause.... never mind, it's not important," I snap back and then race across the rink doing suicides with the team.

When Danny gets to the Other side, he's quick to ask again. "What's wrong. You need to tell me. Otherwise, I'll think about it for the whole game."

"It's just...if you're out, it means you're not hiding me....it means...I mean something....but at the same time, I know that's a shit reason to come out," I say back quickly. "That's why I'm mad at Bryce cause I think that but I shouldn't, but I do, but I need to not."

Danny shakes his head and smiles at me, " your mind is a trippy place to be sometimes. I know I'm a recovering fuck boy, but you're special, and I should tell you that more often."

"Thank you...I know you care. I'm just being stupid," I say back and then take my turn during another set of suicides.

When Danny joins me, he's quick to say, "you're not stupid. I care about you. I like you. I'll be out someday...I'm just not ready. But I will be."

"I know," I say quickly. It's true. When he's ready.

I pass the puck to him, and he and I fall into a gentle partnership as the rest of the team shakes out for passing practice. It's gonna be a long weekend, but I've my friends and my boyfriend to help me survive.