Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 64493 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64493 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 258(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
“And this is why I told you it was time to move on after my season ended. I’m not interested in that life anymore.”
She stared at me blankly. “You met someone.”
Wow. She was good.
“Yeah, I did.”
Sienna smacked my arm. “You sneaky son of a bitch. I knew there was a reason you left me asleep on your sofa instead of inviting me upstairs. Did I meet her yesterday? Of course, I did. Why didn’t you say something? Fuck, she must hate me. Does she know I’m here now? Shit. What did you tell her?”
Was I doing this? Coming out? I’d literally tossed and turned, thinking about it all night. Everything I wanted was here, but it wasn’t a place. It was a person. A man. My shot at anything beyond summer with Nolan required honesty. And bravery.
So, yeah…it was time to tell my truth.
“There’s no her.”
“What does that mean? You just said—” She went still. “A man?”
“Yes.”
“No! You’re not gay.”
“I’m bi.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“I’m…in shock,” she said after a long moment.
I shrugged. “It’s true.”
“Oh, my…” A slow smile curled at the corners of her mouth. “You’re full of surprises, Vinnie Kiminski. Tell me all about him. He’s gotta be special for you to come out and—are you coming out? I won’t say a word.” She crossed her heart. “You can trust me.”
“I do trust you. Coming out is…going to be weird, but I’ve been thinking about this most of the summer, and it’s time.”
She nodded thoughtfully as she put her cigarette out on the ashtray I’d given her. “Are you ready for the press? They’ll swarm this tiny town, scrounging for juicy tidbits about you and him. Warn him or…don’t mention his name. Maybe give everyone a chance to get used to the idea of you with a dude before you feed him to the wolves and—”
“You’re not helping.” I snorted.
“I’m sorry. I’m on your team. Tell me what you need, and I’m there.” She slipped my coffee mug from my hand and took a sip. “Gross. Needs cream.”
“Get your own coffee.”
“You’re the worst host ever,” she teased. “But you’re a good guy. Whoever he is, I hope he makes you disgustingly happy. You deserve it.”
“Thanks.”
I didn’t mention that I had some groveling to do. I was inwardly reeling with a renewed sense of purpose.
This was happening.
I was coming out.
After Sienna left for the airport, I showered and made my way into town, admiring the banner on the post office wall as I turned left into the almost deserted lot at the El Rink. I parked next to Ronnie’s truck and raced inside, down the dark corridor to his office.
“Good. You’re here.”
Ronnie nearly jumped out of his seat. “Holy crackers! You scared the shit out of me.”
“I hope not,” I joked, flopping onto the chair across from him and immediately standing to pace to the window and back. “Hey, I want to talk to you.”
“I figured. Take a seat and—”
“No, I can’t. I’m too jittery. I’ve had five cups of coffee.” I shook my hands and crossed my arms.
“Hmm. Your timing is good. My mom is picking up Mary-Kate from her friend’s house while I catch up on some paperwork. I didn’t get a damn thing done after yesterday. That was some win, man,” he gushed.
“Yeah, it was great.” I raked my fingers through my hair.
“It was nice to meet Sienna. She’s prettier in person than in magazines. You’re a lucky guy.”
“We’re friends. That’s all.”
Ronnie widened his eyes comically. “Really? We all got the impression she was here to get her man and ride off into the sunset with you. I was hoping I’d get a chance to thank you for—”
“You’re welcome. Look, I’ve been thinking about what comes next, and I have a couple of ideas. Hockey ideas. This place is an untapped gold mine and I can help you, Ronnie. I have more money than I know what to do with. Let’s remodel the rink, rebuild the program, hire a few coaches. You might not want to use my name after what I’m about to tell you, but my money’s good. You should take it.”
“Whoa. We’ve been through this, Vin. I don’t want your consolation money. I’m not keeping score, and I’m not hanging on to the past. If I lived like that, I’d be a lonely man and a really crappy father.” He worried his bottom lip the way Nolan did when he was thinking of exactly the right words to say. “I never expected you to drop your life to save mine. I had to save myself and I did, so…let it go.”
“I know, I know. It’s not consolation money,” I snapped. “Okay, it was when I first got here, but it’s not now. I mean this. I want to help. I want to stay.”
He cocked his head as if waiting for a punch line. “Here. In Elmwood?”