Chapter 7
“HELLOOOOO?” A VOICE RANG out. “Anybody home? I have a special Christmas delivery from Colorado!”
Tobias hadn’t even heard the front door open, but there was no doubt who that voice belonged to.
Grace, Madison and Tobias jumped from their seats in the living room and hurried to the front hall to see Natalie beaming, standing on the doormat with a giant bow on her head and luggage at her feet.
“Mommy!” Madison shouted, running into Natalie’s arms, Tobias and Grace following. Natalie picked up Madison with one arm and wrapped the other around Grace. Tobias wrapped his arms around all three of them, thanks to his long reach.
“I’m so glad you made it home,” Grace gushed. “Best Christmas gift ever.”
They all cheered in agreement. Natalie wasn’t sure she’d get time away from training to make it home for Christmas, but she put her foot down since her family wouldn’t be able to join her at the Olympics.
It was too complicated to close down the gym for that long, and Natalie didn’t want Madison to miss so much school.
It was only preschool, but what did Tobias know?
It took a few minutes for the group hug to break apart, thanks to Madison pulling Natalie further into the house. Madison gave her the tour of all the Christmas decorations they’d put up together, plus a breakdown of everything she’d done in each room of the house since Natalie left.
It was a while before the adults could get a word in, but they eventually landed back in front of the TV where they’d been watching a Christmas movie.
“How’s training going?” Tobias asked, an easy smile on his face.
“Amazing,” she sighed. “I’m really trying not to get my hopes up, but everything is really clicking and it’s hard not to get excited.”
“I bet,” he said. “Ya gotta be confident but not overconfident. Tough line to walk.”
“It is. One of the other women I’m training with is starting to feel the pressure a bit. She’s the current favorite, and watching all the hype for her makes me so glad I’m not expected to place.”
“You’re gonna win the whole thing, Mommy,” Madison said loyally from her spot in between Natalie and Tobias.
“Maybe, but maybe not. The best skaters in the whole world will be there too. I’m happy just to be there with them. That’s winning enough,” she said seriously, but then turned to Tobias and muttered, “Although, I wouldn’t exactly say no to a medal.”
He snorted, along with Grace, who sat on Natalie’s other side.
“We’ll be proud no matter what you do,” Grace said, and Tobias nodded in agreement.
He’d competed in the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, finishing in fourth place.
He thought he’d get another chance, but professional players weren’t invited back until after he’d retired.
Fingers were crossed that Natalie would be able to do what he couldn’t, but even if she came in last place, he’d still be proud of his little sister.
Later that night, after Madison and Grace went to bed, Tobias slumped on the couch next to Natalie, a big bowl of popcorn between them while Home Alone played on the screen.
It was one of their favorites from when they were kids, and it had led to many jokes about getting left behind during family vacations.
Even though Natalie was a few years younger than him, people always thought they were twins.
They had the same brown eyes and dark brown hair, high cheekbones and square chins.
They also shared the same intensity when they worked.
Natalie’s gaze could be just as piercing as Tobias’.
It was a look few people could face without crumpling.
Natalie rarely used it since she loved being around people, while Tobias depended on it to keep people away.
“So, tell me more about this guy, Chase,” Natalie said, making Tobias sit up and gasp, which was a terrible thing to do while eating popcorn.
Immediately falling into a coughing fit, Natalie watched him with both concern and amusement, passing him his water from the coffee table when he was able to breathe again.
While he drank, he considered how to respond. Earlier in the day, Madison regaled Natalie with the wonders of rock climbing and her instructor, but why was she asking him about Chase?
“What do you mean?” he asked, which was a terrible question because it would only make her more curious.
“What do I mean? When Madison mentioned him you went as red as a tomato with this soft look on your face. Is he cute?”
He sighed, falling back against the couch.
“Chase also happens to be my new yoga instructor at the gym.”
“Oh shit, you finally added yoga? That’s awesome.”
“Yeah, and Chase is certified to teach kids’ classes too, like he does at the rock climbing gym.
I was thinking of having one of those Mommy and Me classes with yoga, and then maybe moving into other classes.
” He imagined little kids punching mini free-standing bags next to their parents during one of their kickboxing classes and it got him excited for all the potential options.
“That would be amazing,” Natalie said, wide-eyed. “I would absolutely take Madison to that. But tell me more about Chase. Why did you get all red?”
Tobias huffed, keeping his eyes on the screen. “I didn’t get all red. You’re seeing things.”
Natalie hummed and sat back, picking up her phone and clicking away doing who-knew-what. It didn’t matter as long as she was done talking about Chase.
“Oh, is this him?” she said, thrusting her phone in his face. Chase looked back at him wearing a sweet smile.
“Where’d you get that?”
“It’s on the Cherrywood Boulders website on their staff page. Duh,” she said as she pulled away and analyzed Chase on her screen. “He is cute. Totally looks like your type.”
“I don’t have a type,” Tobias argued.
‘Yes, you do.’
“You totally do,” Natalie said. He hated it when his brain agreed with her.
You’re supposed to be on my side.
‘And you’re supposed to talk to other people instead of yourself.’
Fucker.
“Tobias.”
He blinked out of his stupor, busy arguing with his own damn brain.
“Sorry. He may be cute, but he’s my new employee. He only started last week.”
“So? You’re the owner and you teach one class a day,” Natalie said. “There’s nothing stopping you from enjoying a fun workplace romance. Oh and I bet he’s so bendy.”
“Nat!” he said, barking out a laugh at his sister’s dirty mind. “Nothing is going to happen with him.”
She smiled smugly at him. “Famous last words.”
He was in need of a subject change and he just happened to have the best one.
“Speaking of last words, the Inferno invited me to play in this year’s alumni game.”
Natalie sprang forward. She bounced until her body was square to Tobias’ on the couch.
“No fucking way! That’s incredible. You said yes, right? Tell me you said yes!”
“Uhh. I said I’d think about it?”
“What on earth do you have to think about?”
“Ya know, just the terror of reentering the spotlight, people being focused on me, people finding out about my sexuality.”
Natalie deflated. “Toby…”
“I know, I know, it shouldn’t be that big of a deal, I should be able to handle it, but I couldn’t three years ago and I’m scared I still can’t.”
“No, that’s not what I was gonna say.”
Tobias’ brow furrowed. “What were you going to say?”
“I was gonna say nobody is gonna give a shit about that.”
Tobias sat slack-jawed, unsure of what to say.
“Look, I know what happened to you during your final year. I know how hard it was for you to deal with the media after every game and talking with people at team events. And I know you wanted to come out, but things are different now.”
Tobias opened his mouth to speak, but Natalie held up her hand to stop him.
“I’m not talking about what it’s like for LGBTQ+ players on the ice.
I know it’s still hard to come out, even though a few people in the league have done it already.
I’m talking about the fact that you’re retired.
Fans aren’t that invested in the lives of retired players, unless you’re involved in something big.
Alumni games aren’t even broadcast on TV, so the only people who are watching will be in that arena.
That game is meant to be fun. There is no spotlight.
“You would have a blast playing and you know it. I know you’re scared, but I’ll be there watching with Mom and Madison.
And now that you’re not playing, coming out could be a lot simpler.
You don’t even have to say the words out loud to anyone.
You can just… live your life the way you want to.
And we’ll be proud of you no matter what. ”
Hearing Natalie repeat their mom’s earlier words settled something in Tobias’ nerves. He knew his family had his back, and he knew Natalie had a point about retired players being mostly left alone by the world. So what was stopping him?
————————
On Christmas morning, Madison had the time of her life opening gifts, displaying each of them to Natalie, Tobias and Grace like every gift was better than the last. And for her, it was. It was so hard not to spoil her since she was the only kid any of them had to dote on.
Natalie did a great job of getting all of her shopping and wrapping done before she left for training, and they’d snuck all the gifts under the tree the night before while Madison was sleeping.
There were gifts from him and his mom as well, so Madison had plenty to unwrap.
She was especially excited when she opened a giant tub of beads to use for more bracelets. It was amazing to see her so happy.
The adults didn’t go as wild for each other, since they didn’t really need anything. Instead, they usually exchanged smaller trinkets or functional items.
Tobias, of course, had knitted each of the ladies in his life a new hat, scarf and gloves, like he did every year.
He also put together a little surprise care package that Natalie would receive after she returned to Colorado and then went off to Milan. It was hard being away from her for so long, and he could only imagine how she felt about it.
When Madison gifted Natalie the bracelet she’d made all on her own, Natalie cried tears of happiness. Tobias’ chest warmed when she dissolved into laughter after unwrapping a giant chocolate gold medal, just in case she didn’t get a real one when she got to Milan.
Christmas morning was as close to perfect as they could make it, and Tobias was happy to be surrounded by his family, but he couldn’t help thinking about how Chase’s Christmas was going. He hoped he had someone to spend it with.
Maybe it wasn’t the smartest thing to do since he hadn’t texted any of his other employees today, but he pulled out his phone to send a quick text to Chase.
Tobias just couldn’t help himself.