Chapter 30
Red: you left your socks at my place
Joel: Keep them.
Red: hey
Red: did you see the game
Read 9:52 PM
November 19, 11:15 PM
Red: i know ur getting these
Read 11:16 PM
November 22, 2:47 AM
Red: fuck you
Red: seriously fuck you joel
Red: you dont get to just leave
Red: you dont get to show up and make me need you and then fucking LEAVE
Red: you have no idea what its like
Red: you get to be out and beautiful and sponsored and everyone loves you for it
Red: i lose EVERYTHING
Red: and you couldnt even wait
Red: you couldnt give me time
Red: thats what you do joel
Red: you run
Red: and youre going to keep running your whole life because youre too scared to stay
Red: i hope whatever youre protecting yourself from is worth being alone forever
Read 2:52 AM
November 22, 11:15 AM
Red: i was drunk. i didnt mean it.
Read 11:17 AM
November 22, 11:34 AM
Red: i mean i meant some of it
Red: but not like that
Read 11:35 AM
November 22, 3:47 PM
Red: joel please
Read 3:48 PM
The Athletic — November 22
JOEL COFFEY RETURNS TO COMPETITION WITH DOMINANT SKATE AMERICA WIN
By James Hartley
ALLEN, Texas — If the off-season rumors suggested Joel Coffey was losing his edge, he answered them decisively Saturday night.
The world champion delivered a flawless free skate to win Skate America, his first competition since a six-week absence from training that had the skating world buzzing with speculation. Coffey's total of 327.89 put him nearly thirty points ahead of silver medalist Yuto Hasegawa.
"I'm focused on the season ahead," Coffey said in the post-competition press conference, shutting down questions about his time away. "Everything else is in the past."
When asked about his goals for the remainder of the season, Coffey paused before answering.
"I want to skate programs that mean something," he said. "Not just technically. Something real."
He declined to elaborate, leaving reporters to speculate about potential program changes heading into the Grand Prix Final in December.
November 24, 3:17 AM
Red: cant sleep
Read 3:18 AM
December 1, 1:22 AM
Red: watched ur skate america program
Red: u looked good
Read 1:25 AM
December 14, 2:47 AM
Red: i cant stop thinking about you
Red: i know i fucked up
Red: but you were there and then you werent and i keep waking up reaching for you
Red: the bed smells like nothing now. i washed everything and now it smells like nothing
Red: i watched that interview you did. the one about queer athletes. and i thought thats him. thats the person i
Red: i dont know how to do this without you
Red: joel
Red: please
Read 2:51 AM
December 15, 4:45 PM
Red: i was drunk. sorry.
Read 4:47 PM
The Athletic — December 18
M?KINEN TRADED TO COLUMBUS IN SURPRISE MID-SEASON DEAL
By Megan Sullivan
The Vegas Aces have traded defenseman Eero M?kinen to the Columbus Smokestacks in exchange for a 2026 second-round pick and defensive prospect Tyler Graves.
M?kinen, 28, has struggled to find his form this season after becoming the first openly gay player in NHL history. The Finnish player has recorded just 2 goals and 8 assists in 31 games, a significant decline from last season's numbers.
"We wish Eero nothing but the best," said Aces GM Jack Hollistan in a statement. "This was a hockey decision."
Sources close to the team suggest M?kinen had requested a trade, though neither the player nor his representatives have confirmed this.
M?kinen released a brief statement through his agent: "Vegas was good to me. Time to move on."
December 20, 11:58 PM
Red: ro's gone
Read 12:01 AM
January 4, 6:15 PM
Derek: You coming for dinner Sunday? Sarah's making that lasagna you like.
Red: yeah. what time
Derek: 5. The kids have been asking about you.
Red: tell them uncle red will be there
Derek: You doing okay?
Red: im ok
Red: 5 on sunday. ill bring wine.
ESPN — January 12
RED PIPER RETURNS TO LINEUP WITH VENGEANCE
By Michael Torres
VEGAS — Red Piper's first game back from a three-month hand injury was supposed to be a cautious return. Limited minutes. Sheltered matchups.
Nobody told Piper.
The undersized center played 18:34, recorded two assists, laid three hits, and drew two penalties in Vegas's 4-2 win over the Anaheim Tide. He also dropped the gloves with Tide enforcer Ryan Wick in the second period.
"I've got some time to make up for," Piper said after the game. "I'm not here to ease back into anything."
When asked about the fight, he shrugged.
"Sometimes you have to remind people you're still here."
January 22, 9:15 PM
Derek: Dad's not doing great. Thought you should know.
Red: how bad
Derek: They're saying weeks. Maybe less.
Red: im on a road trip. back tuesday
Derek: I know. Just wanted you to hear it from me first.
Red: thanks
Derek: You don't have to come home early. He doesn't know the difference most days.
Derek: But if you want to, no one would blame you.
Red: ill be there tuesday
January 28, 3:33 AM
Red: are you awake
Joel: No.
Red: lol
Joel: Go to sleep, Red.
February 2, 7:45 PM
Derek: He asked about you today. First time in weeks.
Red: what did he say
Derek: Wanted to know if you won your game.
Red: we did
Derek: I told him. He smiled.
Red: good
Derek: You should come this weekend if you can. While he's still having good moments.
Red: ill be there saturday
Albuquerque Journal — February 19
OBITUARY
Robert "Bob" Piper Sr., 67, of Albuquerque, passed away peacefully at home on February 17, surrounded by family.
A proud veteran of the United States Army, Bob served two tours before returning to Ohio, where he worked at Piper Tire & Auto for thirty-one years.
After retiring, he relocated to New Mexico with his sons Robert Jr. and Derek.
He was known for his quiet generosity, his skill at the grill, and his unwavering devotion to his sons.
Bob is survived by his sons Derek (Sarah) of Albuquerque and Robert Jr. of Las Vegas, as well as grandchildren Owen, Lily, and Thomas.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Lewy Body Dementia Association.
A private service will be held at a later date.
February 19, 6:12 PM
Joel: I'm so sorry about your dad.
Red: Thank you.
March 3, 11:45 PM
Red: i keep picking up the phone to call him
Red: and then i remember
Joel: I’m so sorry, Red.
Red: I wish you were here.
Red: Even if it was just to yell at me.
Read 11:47 PM
March 8, 10:22 PM
Red: we won tonight
Red: 4-1 against seattle
Joel: You had 2 assists. The second one, the no-look backhand through traffic, was filthy.
Red: wait
Red: how did you know that
Red: it wasnt on the highlight
Joel: I watched the whole game.
Red: oh
Joel: The whole season actually.
Joel: Every game since January.
Red: joel
Joel: Forget I said anything.
Red: i dont want to forget it
Red: joel?
Read 10:34 PM
The Athletic — March 15
JOEL COFFEY DELIVERS KEYNOTE AT LGBTQ+ ATHLETE SUMMIT
By Rachel Giordano
DENVER —World champion figure skater Joel Coffey took the stage at the annual LGBTQ+ Athlete Summit Saturday morning and delivered a blistering critique of how sports organizations handle queer athletes.
"We're not asking for special treatment," Coffey said to a crowd of over five hundred athletes, coaches, and advocates. "We're asking to exist without having to calculate the cost."
Coffey, who came out publicly at eighteen, spoke candidly about the pressures facing LGBTQ+ athletes at every level of competition.
"The sports world tells us to be authentic, then punishes us when we are," he said. "We lose sponsorships. We get traded. We watch our teammates distance themselves. And then someone in a suit tells us how brave we are."
When asked what prompted his shift toward public advocacy, Coffey was direct.
"I watched someone I care about go through something unfair," he said. "And I decided I was done being quiet about it."
He declined to elaborate.
TSN — April 2
VEGAS CLINCHES PLAYOFF BERTH AS PIPER CONTINUES TEAR
The Vegas Aces have secured their spot in the Stanley Cup Playoffs following a 3-1 victory over the San Jose Leviathans.
Red Piper, who has been one of the league's hottest players since returning from injury in January, recorded the game-winning goal midway through the third period.
"We're not satisfied with just making it," Piper said. "We've got unfinished business."
Piper has tallied 19 goals and 28 assists since his return.
"He's playing like every shift is his last," said TSN analyst Dave Morris. "It's incredible to watch."
When asked about his intensity, Piper offered little explanation.
"I'm just playing hockey," he said. "That's all I know how to do right now."
April 8, 2:14 AM
Red: do you ever think about it
Red: us
Joel: I don’t know how you want me to answer
Red: i dont know
Red: that you miss me
Red: that leaving was a mistake
Joel: It wasn't a mistake.
Red: bullshit
Joel: I was protecting you.
Red: you were protecting yourself
Joel: That's not fair.
Red: isnt it
Red: your dad shows up and says jump and you just go
Red: you didnt even try to fight for us
Joel: I was trying to keep you from losing everything.
Red: i didnt ask you to decide that for me
Red: i asked you to stay
Red: and you left anyway
Joel: Because staying would have ruined you.
Red: you dont get to make that call
Red: thats not love joel thats control
Read 2:28 AM
Red: joel
Joel: I don't know what you want from me.
Red: i wanted you to stay
Red: i wanted you to trust me enough to figure it out together
Red: but you were always going to find a reason to leave
Joel: That's not true.
Red: every time you get close you run
Red: your dad just gave you permission this time
Joel: Goodnight Red.
Red: dont do that
Red: dont shut down because i said something true
Joel: you want me to admit you're right?
Red: i want you to stay in the fucking conversation for once
Joel: Fine. I'm here. What else.
Red: i dont know
Joel: You never know.
Red: fuck you
Joel: Goodnight.
Red: joel
Read 2:35 AM
May 15, 10:22 PM
Joel: I was cold. I'm sorry.
Red: I didn't mean what I said. About you always leaving.
Joel: Yes you did.
Red: ok
Red: maybe
Red: but i shouldnt have said it like that
Joel: It's fine.
Red: its not fine
Red: none of this is fine
Joel: Good luck in the playoffs.
Red: thanks
The Athletic — May 20
M?KINEN ANNOUNCES DEPARTURE FROM NHL, PLANS RETURN TO FINLAND
By David Morendo
Eero M?kinen's NHL career has come to an end.
The Finnish defenseman announced Monday that he will not re-sign with the Columbus Smokestacks and instead plans to return to Europe to continue his career with Helsinki IFK of the Finnish Elite League.
"Time to go home," M?kinen said in a statement.
M?kinen, 28, became the first openly gay player in NHL history last summer after being photographed with his partner in Las Vegas. His partner, former NHL team videographer Chase Whitmore, has reportedly already relocated to Helsinki.
When reached for comment, Aces center Red Piper offered a brief statement: "Ro's the toughest guy I know. Anyone who thinks he's running is wrong. He's just smart enough to know what matters."
TSN — June 4
ACES ADVANCE TO STANLEY CUP FINAL
Vegas defeats Dallas 3-2 in Game 6 to clinch Western Conference
Red Piper scored the series-clinching goal with 4:32 remaining in the third period, capping a dominant playoff run for the undersized center.
"We're not done yet," Piper said. "Four more."
June 14, 11:58 PM
Joel: Game 6 tomorrow.
Red: yeah
Joel: You ready?
Red: i think so
Red: nervous
Joel: You should be. It's the Cup.
Red: thanks for the pep talk
Joel: You've got this.
Red: joel
Joel: Yeah?
Red: nothing
Red: thanks
Joel: Win it.
The Athletic — June 15
RALEIGH FORCES GAME 7 WITH OVERTIME WIN
By David Morendo
RALEIGH — The Stanley Cup Final is going the distance.
Raleigh's Viktor Linden scored 4:47 into overtime to give the Icehawks a 2-1 victory in Game 6, sending the series back to Vegas for a winner-take-all Game 7.
Red Piper had the Aces' lone goal, but was held without a point in the final forty minutes as Raleigh's checking line suffocated Vegas's top six.
"We had our chances," Piper said. "Now we get one more game. That's all you can ask for."
Game 7 is Tuesday night in Vegas.
June 17, 9:15 PM
Red: one game
Joel: One game.
Red: yeah
Red: joel
Joel: Yeah?
Red: thanks for watching
Joel: Always.
ESPN — June 18
ACES WIN STANLEY CUP IN GAME 7 THRILLER
VEGAS — For the second time in franchise history, the Vegas Aces are Stanley Cup champions.
The Aces defeated the Raleigh Icehawks 3-2 in a Game 7 that came down to the final minute, with goaltender Tyler Haskell making 41 saves to earn the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.
Red Piper assisted on the game-winning goal, a second-period tally by Mika Korhonen that proved to be the difference. Piper finished the playoffs with 11 goals and 19 assists.
Captain Andre Villishinko lifted the Cup first, then passed it to Piper.
"He earned it," Villishinko said. "Everything he went through this year. The hand. His dad. He never stopped."
Piper's skate with the trophy was brief. He raised it overhead, circled the ice once, and handed it off.
"This is what you dream about," Piper said afterward, champagne dripping from his hair. "This is everything."
But teammates noted that Piper's celebration seemed muted compared to the rest of the locker room.
"Red's always been more reserved," said Murphy. "But tonight felt different. Like he was somewhere else."
When asked about it later, Piper shrugged.
"I'm just tired," he said. "It's been a long year."
June 18, 11:47 PM
Joel: Congratulations.
June 19, 12:34 AM
Red: Thanks.