Chapter Nine #2
“That’s right. Personal or private.” Seb winked at me, and I knew I was about to take a shot at my pride for Adrian’s sake. “I’ve got a funny story to break the ice…so to speak.”
“Tell us, please,” Adrian urged. “I’m sure the viewers will love to hear it.”
“It’s about my best buddy Rip and a little mishap with his skates as a rookie. Turns out he’d tied the laces of his skates together by accident, and when he stood up to walk, he fell flat on his face.”
I groaned as Seb relayed the story, and Adrian laughed, his eyes darting to me to see my reaction, but I grinned and shook my head.
“Is this true, Rip?”
I pretend-glared at Seb. “Oh, yeah. I was nervous, what can I say? Matter of fact, the whole team called me Trip for months. Until I broke the number of goals scored by a rookie, won Rookie of the Year, and was named the youngest captain in Blades history.” I smirked.
“So I’ll take the ribbing. I think I’ve outgrown that nickname. ”
“Considering your record, I agree. This question is for both of you. What’s been your most exciting game and time on the ice in your career so far?”
I stepped up first. “Definitely my first game as a rookie. All my hard work and dreams came down to that moment. But also winning the division title and getting to play in the Stanley Cup Finals the first time. I’ll never forget it.”
“I gotta second what Rip said,” Seb agreed. “There’s something humbling about stepping out on the ice for the first time.”
“Did you both know you always wanted to play hockey? When did you think you might have the talent to go all the way to play professionally?”
“Growing up near Lake Placid, we learned to skate before we could walk. You know that, Adrian.” He winced, and I wanted to kick myself.
Adrian had no affinity for the ice. He spent more time facedown on the ice than standing up.
I rushed to continue. “But I always wanted to play hockey. It was hard as a child ’cause it was just my mom and me, and after she died, I moved in with your family.
Your parents recognized my talent and helped me tremendously.
Hockey was going to get me a college scholarship.
” The wobble in my voice shocked me, and Adrian put a comforting hand on my forearm.
“If it wasn’t for them, I don’t know what I would’ve done. I owe them everything.”
“They love you and never doubted your talent.”
I fell into the pure blueness of his eyes, and everything else faded away.
“My mom once told me if I want something bad enough, to fight for it. Do whatever you can to make a dream happen. It’s why she worked double shifts at that run-down diner where even the roaches wouldn’t visit.
I knew it wouldn’t be easy being a gay man in professional sports, but with friends like Seb and a great team like the Blades behind me, I never felt like I didn’t belong. ”
“We have to take a break now, but we’ll be right back with more from Ripley Tremaine and Sebastian Crowe of the Brooklyn Blades.”
Drained and unexpectedly emotional, I settled in my chair and blew out a breath. A glass of water was pressed into my hand.
“Here you go,” Adrian murmured. “Are you okay to continue?”
“Yeah, definitely. You’re doing great.” No lies there. Adrian was handling himself like a pro.
Seb patted me on the shoulder. “Everything good?”
“Yeah. I’m fine.”
“Ready to go on, or do you need more time?” Adrian asked, and my smile was wry.
I had to remind him it wasn’t up to me. “I think when the commercial is over, that’s it, ready or not.”
“Just want to make sure. Is it okay to continue with that line of questioning?”
I nodded as the music came on again. “I’m good.”
Adrian chewed his lip. “I’d, um, I’d like to continue with what we were talking about before the break. Your sexuality. Have you ever felt discriminated against because you’re gay? I mean…has it been hard for you in the league being an out player?”
A question I knew to tread around lightly. “I’ve never regretted my decision to come out as a professional hockey player. And the Blades organization as well as my teammates have been nothing but supportive. I can’t control how people feel, but personally, I’ve never had any problems.”
Untrue. However, it wasn’t something I’d reveal to anyone. But Adrian proved surprisingly insightful and probed deeper.
“Is it true that some fans have blamed your sexuality for the Blades not winning the Stanley Cup?”
Ouch. That was unexpected, and I jerked my head to meet his steady gaze. I understood these were the questions that people tuned in to hear, and I gave him credit for not shying away.
“I don’t like to dwell on negativity and ugly words.
But yeah, some people think they have the right to come into my direct messages and write things they’d never dare say to my face.
I delete, block, and move on. I have zero time or tolerance for bigots and fools.
So many great athletes came out after they retired, and I don’t fault them for waiting, especially when people misbehave.
The focus should be on the game, nothing else.
But to answer your question, it proves the point that sexuality has nothing to do with your ability to play professional sports. ”
Seb spoke up. “Rip deserves to be judged on his skating alone, not for anything else. And for that, he’s the best of the best. A definite Hall of Famer.”
“Thanks, buddy.” Surprising tears burned my eyes.
Maybe figuring it was time to give me a break, Adrian turned to Seb.
“What about your family, Seb? You have two young children. Does your wife come with you on the road?”
“Well, Jolie’s a trooper. She doesn’t travel with me now because the girls are too young, but she used to when we were first married, and she’s made good friends with some of the other wives on the team. We love being part of the Blades family.”
“Have you ever felt pressure to be at home more?”
Seb’s brow furrowed in thought. “I’d like to, and she knows that, but we discussed everything before deciding to have children and concluded it was worth the time away now, to give us a better future.”
“How did you two meet, and was your wife always into hockey?”
“Oh, absolutely not.” Throwing his head back, he laughed out loud. “Jolie was a sports novice and had never watched a hockey game until we met. She worked as a sales associate, and we met when I had to buy a suit for the ESPYs.”
“I’m sure she’s a pro now. Does she like to skate with you?”
“Not at all. Hockey is my thing, and reading is hers. She has her book-club friends. But she’s my number-one cheerleader and promised me the girls will learn to skate. I can’t wait to take them out on the ice.”
Adrian consulted his note cards, and I could see the muscle jump in his jaw. “Uh, Rip, you recently broke up with your boyfriend of two years, Denis Bouvier, who’s the Blades’ goalie. Do you think being on the same team might affect your playing this season?”
I’d been asked this question often enough to have the answer prepared. “Not at all. Denis and I are professionals. Our mission is to win games and ultimately the Stanley Cup. Nothing will keep us from our objective.”
Adrian bit his lip and flicked his gaze to mine. I could see the struggle in his eyes, and he huffed out a breath. “Are you seeing anyone right now?”
I could take the easy way out and simply say no. But the more I saw Adrian and we spent time together, the more I liked being with him. Did he honestly need me? Maybe not. But given all our conversations, I was more than a little curious to see how far Adrian would go with the charade.
“Yes. I am.”
“Really, dude? Holding out on your best friend?” Man, that twinkle in Seb’s eye annoyed the fuck out of me. He was enjoying my personal life way too much. “Who is it? I’m sure your fans want to know.”
Adrian cleared his throat. “I don’t think Rip should have to reveal his new relationship if he doesn’t want to.”
A noble statement, but Rob DeVine paced behind the cameras, and I could see the storm brewing in his dark expression.
If Adrian didn’t come up with something big and juicy, DeVine was going to rip him a new one and take away his big chance, even though the interview was going well.
Screw what Neil and everyone else thought.
Taking Adrian’s hand, I leaned in and kissed his cheek. “Don’t be so shy, babe. I don’t mind.”
The scent of his aftershave swirled around me, and it was a good thing I was aware of the camera, as I wanted nothing more than to tangle my hands in that thick golden mop of his and kiss the living hell out of that trembling mouth.
“But—”
“It’s okay,” I soothed before facing the camera. “Adrian and I grew up together, but he was younger and I never paid him any attention. But now? The age difference doesn’t seem to matter. We’ve reconnected, and…” I lifted a shoulder. “The rest is private. Between the two of us.”
“That’s great news,” Seb said with a grin. “I’m happy for both of you.”
The cameraman signaled that we had less than thirty seconds left. Visibly shaken, Adrian licked his lips, and the sweat on his brow gleamed in the overhead lights of the studio.
“Uh, I, uh, this has been Playing the Field with guests Sebastian Crowe and Ripley Tremaine of the Brooklyn Blades. I hope you enjoyed the show. Let us know your thoughts on the station’s website, Channel 8 News dot com. Good luck to you both in your quest for the Stanley Cup.”
The studio lights dimmed, and Rob DeVine motioned furiously to Adrian, who jumped out of his seat. I watched as DeVine spoke with a big smile on his face, and Adrian listened, nodding. I didn’t like fooling people, yet I still firmly believed this would help him.
“So I wasn’t wrong,” Seb murmured. “I could see it right away.”
“It’s not what you think,” I answered. “He did well, don’t you think?”