Changes Going On

By Kaje Harper

Three men, one summer of media, mentorship, and murder.

There's a reason Scott Edison came out as gay and poly on national TV— now no one can try to push him back into the closet. But as his men and his hockey team deal with the fallout from fans and paparazzi, moving forward isn't as easy as he'd hoped.

Will Rice was looking forward to a quiet summer, sharing the work with his guys and giving Scott a refuge from the spotlight. He's hired a couple of young ranch hands, and finally feels ready to give back some of the mentoring that turned his life around decades ago. But good fences won't be enough to keep trouble off the ranch.

Casey Barlow left the Sheriff's Department on his own terms, out and proud. But when the new sheriff is murdered— and Casey's one of the few with a watertight alibi— he's asked to investigate, and he can't resist. He's determined to solve the murder, and still take care of his men on the home front. Then one murder becomes two...

It's a summer of risks and challenges, and working together is the only way they'll make it through.
~~~

Book 2 of the Changes series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kaje Harper
• Release date: Mar 26, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463497999

Kaje Harper

I get asked about my name a lot. It's not something exotic, though. “Kaje” is pronounced just like “cage” – it’s an old nickname, and my pronouns are she/her/hers.I was born in Montreal but I've lived for 30 years in Minnesota, where the two seasons are Snow-removal and Road-repair, where the mosquito is the state bird, and where winter can be breathtakingly beautiful. Minnesota’s a kind, quiet (if sometimes chilly) place and it’s home.I’ve been writing far longer than I care to admit (*whispers – forty years*), mostly for my own entertainment, usually M/M romance (with added mystery, fantasy, historical, SciFi...) I also have a few Young Adult stories (some released under the pen name Kira Harp.)My husband finally convinced me that after all the years of writing for fun, I really should submit something, somewhere. My first professionally published book, Life Lessons, came out from MLR Press in May 2011. I have a weakness for closeted cops with honest hearts, and teachers who speak their minds, and I had fun writing four novels and three freebie short stories in that series. I was delighted and encouraged by the reception Mac and Tony received.I now have a good-sized backlist in ebooks and print, both free and professionally published, including Amazon bestseller "The Rebuilding Year" and Rainbow Award Best Mystery-Thriller "Tracefinder: Contact." A complete list with links can be found on my website "Books" page at https://kajeharper.wordpress.com/books/.I'm always pleased to have readers find me online at:Website: https://kajeharper.wordpress.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KajeHarperGoodreads Author page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4769304.Kaje_Harper

Book preview

Chapter 1

Scott Edison jolted awake and froze in the unfamiliar bed, listening, his heart racing. All was quiet. At his back, Will’s long, lean body gave off a comfortable heat. In front of him, Casey lay sprawled, the shortest guy taking up more than half the space. Scott peered at Casey in the dim light, waiting for a sharp breath or whimper. Casey’s nightmares from his years in the Marine Corps sometimes hit hard, and they’d learned to wake him carefully. Nothing. Casey slept peacefully.

Scott’s heart slowed from whatever the nightmare had been. He nudged Casey’s leg over to make space and pushed his own butt back against Will, luxuriating in having both his men with him in bed. His ass twinged, the pain reminding him he’d asked to get well pounded last night so— so I wouldn’t remember I’m coming out as gay and poly to the whole fucking world today.

His gut cramped, bile rising. Trying not to wake his guys, he scrambled down off the foot of the bed and into the hotel bathroom. Three steps to the toilet and he hit his knees, dry-heaving. He hadn’t eaten much yesterday, between nerves about being up for the Calder Trophy and much bigger, Godzilla nerves about what he’d planned afterward. I told that TV reporter everything. I exposed Casey and Will and me. Acid stung his throat and he coughed.

Casey stepped up behind him and bent to rub his back, strong hands warm on his shoulder blades. Hey, Scotty, you okay?

Sure, he lied, sitting back on his heels and grabbing tissue to wipe his mouth. No, not really.

Maybe you could call the reporter and ask him not to release the video.

Hah. I’ll be lucky if he doesn’t put it out early. His interview was scheduled for the morning sports roundup. From the pale light he’d seen filtering through the crack in the curtains, that was just a few hours away.

Casey filled a glass of water, passed it to him, and flushed the john. Tell me how to help.

Will said from the doorway, Me too. G’mornin’, Scott.

Not much good about it. Except for the part where he was now finally out, and he could hug his men and go home with them and get into their bed— his shared bed— without freaking about someone finding out. That was no small thing. He rinsed his mouth, spat, and held up a hand.

Casey tugged him to his feet and into a firm hug. Will moved close and they both wrapped him in. For a moment, he could close his eyes and feel the three of them tucked together in a sweaty, morning-breath-and-stale-cum smoosh that was exactly what he needed. He tightened his arms until Casey grunted.

What now? Casey asked when they broke apart.

You guys should head back to bed. It’s freaking early o’clock.

Only by Vegas time. Will nudged Scott’s elbow. It’s two hours later for us back in Kansas. We’d be up for chores now anyhow. You should have the first shower.

I reek, don’t I?

None of us smell like flowers, but I think you need it most. Will grabbed the little bottles of shampoo and bodywash off the counter. Here. And I’ll grab a pair of my clean shorts for you.

Ack. No luggage. His stuff was in his own hotel room two miles away. Jesus, I should go get it before the news breaks. One more thing to do. He rubbed between his eyes where a headache was building. But phone calls first. What time is it?

It’s just five, Casey said. Same for your hockey team in Oregon, but eight for your folks. You still have time to get clean first. If you give me your keycard, I’ll go get your stuff from your room while you shower.

I can’t ask you to drive across town at five—

Casey put a thumb on Scott’s lips. It’s a few blocks, not dogsled to Alaska. And if I can do anything to make today easier, you’d better let me.

Okay. He couldn’t fight the look in Casey’s eyes, didn’t want to. The card’s in my pants pocket.

I’ll be back soon. Casey slipped out the door.

Will gave Scott a sweet smile, the one Scott had worked hard to earn since that first night in a dimly lit bar. I’ll get you some shorts. Hey, unlimited hot water.

Yeah. Scott waited till Will closed the door, then stepped into the tub, moving stiffly. The showerhead was wimpy, but the warm flow over his sticky chest and groin was so welcome. He closed his eyes and let the water stream over him, face to toes, breathing through the steam. Opening his mouth, he rinsed out the taste of sleep and stale sex. Eventually, he rotated and washed his ass carefully, wincing at the sting of soap. He’d have to sit carefully for a few days. Good thing they weren’t heading out to ride at the ranch. I wish we were at the ranch.

The water kept flowing hot, but in a desert town like Las Vegas he felt guilty about using so much. He shut it off, got out, and dabbed at his butthole with a tissue. There were a couple of tiny drops of blood but not enough to worry about. He rummaged through Will’s Ziplock bag for the anesthetic ointment and was recapping the tube when Will opened the door.

Here’s some clean shorts— oh! Will froze. Were we too rough?

Perfect rough. He set the tube down and went to kiss his man. Exactly what I needed, and I remember begging for it. No regrets. He hadn’t been drunk last night, but between the mix of need and adrenaline and fear and delight, he didn’t remember all the details. Still, he knew he’d demanded every forceful, perfect moment.

Will kissed him back but kept some body distance. My turn for the shower if you’re done?

Sure.

The main room smelled of sex and sweat. Scott pulled on the borrowed jockey shorts, a loose pair for Will that fit strainingly snug across his own skater’s ass. He slid open the balcony door. The sun was still below the horizon, but a gold glow behind the buildings showed where it was about to emerge. He took a breath of fresh air— well, city air, like any other city, basically. Five-thirty. Eight-thirty down in Florida. His mom would be up, no doubt. His dad used to rise early, but since the heart attack he’d been taking it much easier, so he might still be in bed.

The TV sports show with his coming-out interview would air at ten. Less than five hours. I could still call and beg the show to not run the spot. Offer them a different interview or a live call-in show or— He cut off the frantic thoughts in his head. He was done hiding. Trying to back down would make it look like he was scared, or ashamed. There was a reason he’d made his first move something he couldn’t take back.

No more hiding.

The shower cut off. A minute later he felt Will at his shoulder, breath warm against his neck. Pretty sky.

Real pretty. He watched colors chase each other across the clouds, crimson edges turning paler as the sun came up.

A few days, and we’ll all be sharing sunrises at home.

You and Casey might. I plan to sleep in and be lazy for a month.

Will nudged his shoulder. You wish. We’re gonna get some work out of you.

They stood there as the colors changed and lightened, fading into the blue of a sunny day.

Eventually Will murmured, You figure your parents’ll be upset with you?

He sighed. I don’t know. They won’t be Bible-thumping and preaching hellfire because I’m gay, but Dad’ll be worried about my career. Or angry about the risk of losing it. Probably both. They sacrificed a lot to get me where I am now.

With the second-worst team in the NHL?

He dug an elbow back into Will’s ribs. Hey! We beat the Glaciers.

Wow. Better than the worst team in the NHL.

He stifled a laugh and leaned back enough to feel Will’s support against his shoulder. He waited for Will to say something wise about how his parents couldn’t expect him to hide who he was forever, but as the quiet moments passed, he realized that wasn’t Will. The steady support behind his shoulder blade was.

Did you ever come out to someone important? He realized how dumb that sounded immediately. I mean, of course you did. The ranch hands. Duh.

Not sure that’s the same.

Huh?

"I was the big dog in that conversation. If one of ’em didn’t like the gay, they were losing their job, not me. And sure, I cared what they thought of me, well, most of ’em, but I don’t love them the way you love your folks. So it was easier."

I guess.

After a moment, Will said slowly, I did come out to a foster parent, one time. Heat of the moment, kind of.

Scott kept his reaction to a hum of encouragement. Will almost never talked about his life before the Tri-Cross ranch, like he was born as a skinny, broke seventeen-year-old on Graham Slater’s front porch.

Didn’t go well. Will said. Wasn’t going to mention it.

Scott repeated the hum, shifting his weight to make solid contact with Will, until Will wrapped an arm around him to keep them balanced.

Will’s voice came soft and even. Foster sister was a lesbian, and it was bad, how they treated her. She ran away, eventually. I told them I was gay too, and two hours later I was gone. Never did find her.

Scott turned away from the window intending to hug Will, but Will took a step backward. I kept it on the down-low for a long time after that. If it’s any use, I do wish I’d told the Slaters. Turns out they knew, but I wish I’d been the one to tell them.

Scott had seen the letter Graham and Annmarie left for Will, revealed after their hit-and-run murder, where they gently told him they knew about the three of them. Will had missed out on spending real no-hiding time with the two people he’d loved the most. There was a wistful pain in Will’s voice that Scott ached to fix.

Then don’t wimp out on your own parents. That does help, thank you. He hadn’t been as close to his folks in recent years. No doubt some of the distance was from all the important things he couldn’t even mention to them. If Dad had died from his recent heart attack, he’d never have known who Scott really was or who he loved. Of course, he’d never have been angry and disappointed in me, either…

The door opened and Casey came in with Scott’s suitcase and garment bag in his hands. I think I got everything. Jesus, Scotty, for as much as you travel, you sure do spread your stuff around a room.

I have a system.

Sure you do.

Will took the garment bag from Casey and hooked it in the closet next to Scott’s rumpled awards-day jacket that he didn’t recall hanging up. Scott glanced around the room. Sure enough, most of the evidence of their rush to get each other naked had been cleared away. His phone was over on the desk. Someone had hooked it up to the juice. The screen lit up when he bumped it, challenging him with his contact list. He tapped the home button. 5:43 AM. Sunny. 73º.

8:43 at his folks’ place.

Heart attack or no, Dad would be up by now. Maybe best to let him finish his breakfast first. Scott set the phone back down.

Will hefted Scott’s suitcase onto the rack and tossed briefs, a pair of cargo shorts, and a polo shirt on the bed. You probably want to be wearing something more than my boxers when you call your folks.

Hell, yeah. Your skinny-ass shorts are chafing me.

Casey cupped a hand under Scott’s ass cheek. Wouldn’t want that. Scott turned and nuzzled Casey’s neck, breathing in his scent. My men. Worth all of it.

He gathered up the clothes and his toiletries case and retreated to the bathroom. Getting dressed and styling his hair and brushing his teeth ate up some time, until he realized he was mechanically brushing his gums to bleeding. Idiot. He gargled mouthwash, swallowing the peppermint burn against the renewed bile in his throat. Coward. In all his years, he’d never seriously fallen short of Dad’s expectations.

He met his own eyes in the mirror, straightened his shoulders, and raised his chin. He’d done scary shit before. He’d stick-handled toward two-hundred-and-fifty-pound defensemen who planned to smear him against the boards. He’d helped wrangle an angry two-thousand-pound bull. Full speed ahead was his style. This should be no different.

In the main room, Casey sat bent over his phone, and Will stared out the window, but Scott could feel their attention on him. He picked up his phone and touched Mom’s contact. Hey, good morning.

Scott, it’s good to hear your voice. I’m so sorry you didn’t win.

He almost said win what? Oh, yeah, the Calder. I didn’t expect to. Just thrilled to even come close.

That’s what Dad said. Not a rookie in a thousand would’ve made the finalists without a full season.

Dad may be a bit biased. He swallowed hard. I hope he stays that way. Mom, I’ve got something I want to talk to you and Dad about, and I’d like to do it on Skype. On my tablet. Would that be okay?

Huh? Sure. Your Dad’s right here finishing his coffee.

Let me get set up and I’ll call you back.

Is something wrong, son? Can we help?

He squeezed his eyes shut. No, Mom, something’s really right. Back in a minute. He tapped out of the call, took a breath, and dredged up a smile for Casey. You guys ready for show and tell?

Tell us what you want.

Will nodded.

Let me get the tablet. Maybe we can sit on the… He glanced around the room. Sitting on the bed felt like rubbing his folks’ noses in the wrong part of his relationship. The couch? It was more of a loveseat, too narrow for three.

Casey sat down on one of the arms. Sure.

Scott dug the iPad out of his bag and sat on the seat beside Casey, squinting up at him. Establishing the high ground, Marine?

Always. Casey ruffled Scott’s hair.

Dammit, I spent ten minutes styling that.

Will perched on the edge of the seat beside him. It looks fine. He nudged Scott with his knee.

Right. Scott blew out a breath. Here goes. He called Mom. When she answered, her face and Dad’s were side by side, like they’d pushed their chairs together at the table.

Hi, son, Dad said. Well done. Great end to your first NHL season.

Thanks. He tipped the iPad a bit more, hoping that Casey was in the frame. You remember Will and Casey, right?

Of course. Hi, boys. Did you travel up there to see Scott at the awards?

Yes, sir, Casey said.

That’s awful nice of you both. Isn’t it hard to get away from the ranch in the summer?

Will said, We’ve got good ranch hands who can take over for a few days.

Well, everyone should get some vacation. Are you checking out the casinos while you’re there?

Not really, Casey said. We’re not much for gambling.

Mom said, Scott, what did you want to tell us? Is the ranch having problems?

Dad said, Now you’re earning an NHL salary, you can probably get a loan on the expectation, if you need one.

It’s not about money. Scott paused. He’d rehearsed coming out to his folks a thousand times, ever since he figured out in high school that he really wasn’t bi, and he was never bringing home a nice girl to give them grandkids. The imaginary scenario had changed when he met Casey, and then Will, but it had always started with four simple words. Mom, Dad, I’m gay.

On the bright screen, his mother bit her lip. His father said, We guessed, son. Some time back.

You don’t mind? The words came out more plaintive than he intended.

Mom said, It’s not up to us to mind, is it? Not like you’d change, if we did.

No. But— He couldn’t change, but it mattered.

It’s all right, Scotty. His dad’s voice was a familiar, easy rumble. We just want you to be happy.

We love you. Mom reached toward the screen as if to touch him. We’ve worried, of course, with you playing professionally. It could make you vulnerable. Someone could betray you. Blackmail, even… You’ve worked so hard for your career.

He wished he could scoff at the idea of blackmail for being gay in the twenty-first century, but it’d happened to Casey and Will, forcing them out of the closet. Maybe in the end, the blackmailing bastard would turn out to have done them a favor, but it didn’t feel that way yet. Yeah. Hiding is bad.

Dad’s eyes narrowed. Are you being threatened? Are you thinking about coming out to the league? You’ll want to give that long, careful thought, son.

He fumbled for a place to start. Casey and Will had to come out together publicly this spring—

"We saw that, but we figured it was made up to protect you. Casey and Will? His father’s gaze sharpened. Your mother thought you and Casey were together."

We are. There was no more room to wiggle around the truth. We all three are. Casey and I have been together for four years, and Will joined us three years ago. It’s been the three of us, for a long time now.

Mom said, Together, as in… sleeping together?

Sleeping, living, working. Loving. He turned to look at Will, whose clear blue eyes were fixed on him. I love Will and I love Casey. And they love me. We intend to spend our lives together.

Casey leaned over his shoulder to address the screen. I love Scotty and I love Will. We work as a threesome, much better than as a couple.

But you can’t do that! Mom winced at her own words. I mean, you clearly have been, but it’s not legal.

It’s legal as long as we don’t all get married, ma’am, Will said. No laws against living together.

There may not be laws, Dad said. But there sure as hell are people who won’t like it and won’t understand it. I’m not sure I understand it myself. Casey, you had a guy like Scott and you still went out looking for someone else?

Casey didn’t, I did, Scott interrupted. He was not going to let Dad make him out to be some kind of victim. I suggested we needed a third. I was traveling a lot, and when I was gone it was hard on both of us. Having Will made us better.

Casey having Will, you mean? Because I doubt you were packing him around the country in your gear bag.

Yes! Casey having Will and Will having Casey, while I had hockey taking up my time and mind and heart.

How was that fair to you? Mom asked.

It’s not about fair. Scott didn’t know how to explain. It’s about what works. What makes us happy. For me, part of happy is calling home and having two guys who love me on the other end, instead of one guy missing the hell out of me.

So you really did it for Casey. Dad insisted.

No! Or yes, but also for me and Will. He didn’t want to share details of the fractures between him and Casey, or the bad times, but he needed them to understand. Will is… he’s like the best part of Casey and me, the part that helps us stay together.

You’re the best part, Will murmured.

Hush, you. Scott nudged Will’s ribs with his elbow. Mom, remember when Dad was in the hospital? Wouldn’t it have been great to have someone else who loved him just as much, right there for you, sharing the load? Wouldn’t it have been good to have someone keeping it together when you wanted to fall apart, someone you could support when it was their turn to fall?

Mom looked struck by the idea but shook her head. I can’t imagine sharing your father with another woman.

Maybe ’cause you wouldn’t fall in love with another woman. But it’s not about me sharing Casey, or Casey sharing me, it’s about all three of us adding something. There’s more love all the way around.

Will said, I know it’s gotta sound strange to you folks. It sure was strange to me too, starting out. I figured I was just a bit of added spice for a few nights for Scott and Casey. Every day, I expected soon they’d be done with me. But this thing between the three of us just… grew.

Three years, Mom. Scott had to hold the tablet, but when he put his free hand on Will’s thigh, Casey’s hand landed warm and reassuring on his shoulder. This isn’t some whim or kink. This is our lives.

What about hockey? Dad asked. What if someone finds out? This isn’t just you and Casey, in love and maybe getting married someday. This is— Dad made a gesture that encompassed them, as if he had no words. You’d get crucified in the media if this came out.

Um, well, about that. He stalled, clenching his teeth at the look on his father’s face.

Scott Michael Edison, what’s going on?

"I did an interview with Randy Metz of InTheZone and came out. His words tumbled together. All the way out. Me and Casey and Will. It airs this morning."

Jesus. Dad rubbed a hand over his face, suddenly looking older. Can you cancel it?

No.

Sweetheart, why? Mom leaned closer. Couldn’t you have kept it a secret?

He suddenly felt exhausted, down to the bone. He leaned back against Casey’s arm. Maybe. But for how long? I already spent months scared to go home to my men, for fear someone would find out. I’m tired of hiding and I’m tired of lying.

Not half as tired as you’re going to be of the media circus you just unleashed, Dad said.

Maybe not. But at least it’ll be an honest tired. He couldn’t resist adding, It was you taught me how important honesty is.

I taught you to own up to your mistakes—

This isn’t a mistake. None of it is, except for the fucking mistake that tells gay players they can’t come out, if they want to play in the NHL.

Scott—

No, you listen, Dad. Yeah, this could end my career. The Rafters could send me down, or trade me. The trolls might make playing unbearable. But none of that is worse than hiding and lying and more lying and knowing there’s a place in our big bed between Will and Casey that I’m too chickenshit to claim.

There was a moment of silence. His fast breaths sounded loud in his ears.

It was never about you being afraid, Casey murmured.

Sure it was. He took his hand off Will to reach up and grip Casey’s fingers. Afraid of the fans and the Internet trolls and the media and the coaches. Afraid of what Mom and Dad would say.

You were afraid of us? Mom sounded hurt.

You haven’t said welcome to the family yet, to either of my guys. You just told me how screwed up we are. So yeah.

I— Her gaze flickered side to side. I’m sorry, you’re right. Casey, when he was rehabbing his knee, I was glad you were there for him, and I hoped there was more between you. And now Will. So. Thank you for taking care of my boy.

He’s a grown man, Casey said. We take care of each other.

Scott squeezed Casey’s fingers hard. That’s great, Mom. They’re good to me. I want you to get to know them both better.

I’ll look forward to that.

Dad said, Getting back to this interview. Did Casey and Will go on the show?

Yeah, briefly.

Have you warned the ranch hands that they may get an influx of paparazzi?

Um. He blinked. He hadn’t thought as far ahead as he should have.

Will said, I plan to call them this morning, sir, right before it airs. I trust most of ’em, but this sports guy put a good spin on it for us. I’d hate for the news to get out early.

Dad actually nodded approval. That makes sense. What about the team, Scott? What does your media relations person suggest? I’m surprised they gave you approval for this.

Scott could feel the heat in his face as he repeated a line from the interview. It’s easier to ask forgiveness than permission? He hated the way his voice rose tentatively at the end.

You didn’t tell them first. Dad made that a statement.

No. He welcomed a flash of anger. Because like you said, I don’t know if they’d have given me permission. I’m done with hiding and the only people whose approval I needed were Casey and Will, and only for their part of my story. It’s my life.

That may be, but I suggest you get off this Skype right now and contact your team.

It’s not even six-thirty here.

I’m sure your media rep would rather be woken up than blindsided. Call them.

He clenched his teeth against an automatic Yes, sir, and sucked in a breath.

Casey must’ve felt his tension because he said, I’m sure Scott will deal with his team just fine. Although you’re right, time’s at a premium this morning. It was great talking to you. I hope we’ll get to know each other better soon.

Will put an arm around Scott and said softly, Nice talking to you, sir, ma’am.

Mom said, Oh, you must call us John and Donna. Both of you.

Yes, ma’am.

Scott chuckled and took an easier breath.

Good-bye, son. Dad nodded. Stay strong now, and follow through.

He always does, Casey said.

We love you, Scotty. Mom blew him a kiss. Whatever happens. You know that.

He couldn’t force words out, so he closed out of Skype and sat staring at the screen.

Casey brushed a kiss on his hair. Coulda been worse.

Sure could, Will said.

Scott reached over his shoulder to haul Casey down for a proper kiss, then turned to smoosh lips with Will. You think there’s time for you to fuck me again before I call the team?

Better not. Casey handed Scott his phone and dropped his voice to a growl. I promise, when we get to it, you aren’t going to be thinking about phone calls at all.

Thanks for the hard-on while I deal with my bosses. Scott tugged at his shorts, and scrolled his team contact list for the media director’s cell number. There was a string of texts from her asking where he was, sent the night before. She’d clearly hit up the after-awards parties he’d missed, and had been telling him to put in an appearance. The last and grouchiest was time-stamped after midnight. He sighed. Maybe he’d better start things off with a text and not jolt her out of her sleep.

Chapter 2

Casey Barlow glanced around the fancy hotel room they’d been ushered into. He’d claimed a spot standing behind Scott, who perched stiffly upright in an upholstered armchair staring at the muted TV. Casey wanted to put a hand on Scott’s shoulder, but Scotty’s rigidity didn’t invite a touch. Casey reminded himself to be glad the media director had let him and Will tag along. Well, she’d insisted they tag along, but same difference. They were here for Scott.

There hadn’t been a lot of time for introductions when they showed up at nine thirty, as Shana Vail had commanded. The hotel room belonged to the Rafters’ General Manager. Scott had seemed surprised to find out the GM was in town, though Paul Desrosier probably wasn’t averse to a trip to Vegas on the team’s dime. Desrosier had shaken Scott’s hand very briefly, and given Casey and Will a cool nod. The guy was from Canada, even if he pronounced his name like an American, so Casey hoped maybe he was more peeved about the short notice than about the gay part.

Here it comes, Vail said. She flicked her long auburn hair over her shoulders and turned on the sound of the giant TV screen as the theme song for InTheZone played.

Will quit staring out the balcony doors and came to stand shoulder to shoulder with Casey. Scott’s knuckles whitened as his hands gripped hard on his knees. Casey would bet he’d find new bruises there the next time he got Scott naked.

Randy Metz, the host, appeared on screen, looking polished and smooth. "Welcome to InTheZone, your number one source for sports news. And do we have a big story for you this morning! First, I want to recap the results of this year’s NHL Awards, presented last night at the Encore Theater here in Las Vegas." For a few minutes, the show ran clips of announcements and winners holding up trophies.

If you could’ve won the Calder, that might’ve made this worthwhile, Desrosier muttered.

He was never going to win with his games-played, Vail interjected before any of them could reply.

Desrosier grunted at that obvious statement, then quieted as the awards clips ended.

And now… Metz’s tone sounded snarky to Casey. We’d usually show our interviews with the winning players for you here. And we will. But before we do that, we have a very special interview with one player who didn’t win a trophy, but who left the Encore Theater with a far more remarkable achievement. A player who’s already made a name for himself, and who you’ll be hearing a lot more about in the days and years to come.

Casey took back the thought about snarky as Metz gave a quick, positive summary of Scott’s career to date. The man’s presentation was free of double meanings and put Scott in a very good light.

I guess you could’ve chosen a worse show, Vail said over the list of Scott’s stats.

The images cut from canned footage of Scott on the ice to Metz. I spoke with Scott Edison right after the awards ceremony last night. And with no more introduction, here’s what he had to say.

Casey had wondered if Metz might open with Scott’s flat coming out statement for the shock value, but he led into it, showing Scotty’s story of the young fan whose death had helped trigger his decision. It lent an inevitability to Scott’s revelation, a build of emotion that made Me. I’m gay, seem like the only possible answer to Metz’s question. Casey did grip Scott’s shoulder then, his eyes stinging. Scott didn’t shrug his hand off. Will moved closer, brushing Casey’s arm.

When Scott on screen said polyamorous, Casey saw Desrosier flinch, even though Scott hadn’t held back any details from Vail, and she’d surely warned the GM.

The bits of the interview with Casey and Will had been edited down to a few bland soundbites, establishing Casey’s military and law enforcement past, and making Will into the quiet cowboy stereotype. It could’ve been far worse. When the interview ended, the host played a clip of Scott, scoring one of his Rafters goals on a breakaway.

As Scotty deked out the goaltender before flipping a wrist shot neatly into the top corner, Metz said, "This season, Scott Edison showed us what he can do on the ice. Now he’s stepped up to a new challenge as the first active player in NHL history to come out as gay. In the days, weeks, and months ahead we’ll see if the league and its fans can live up to the promise of rainbow tape and Hockey Is For Everyone logos. Dozens of active players who are still in the closet, and thousands of teens and young men across the nation, will be watching the reception Edison gets, wondering if they can stop hiding at last. For InTheZone, this is Randy Metz, with more to come from your week in sports."

Desrosier took the remote from Vail and muted the TV, still staring at it.

But no pressure, Scott muttered.

Will barked a laugh.

Vail jumped to her feet. He laid the groundwork for you. That’s your theme. You’re coming out for all those kids who think they can’t be gay and play.

Partly, of course, but—

No buts, she interrupted. Casey held back an inappropriate smirk— definitely hockey butts. You’re stepping up to perform a public service. Doing your part for oppressed youth.

And for me. For us three.

You agreed to let me spin this. So listen up. We’re spinning you as a hero, fast and hard, because I guarantee that won’t be what everyone thinks.

I’m no hero.

You think you won’t need to be? She took two fast steps closer, forcing Scott to look up at her. Let me hit you with a slice of reality. I timed our first team announcement to go up on our social media five minutes after the show started, telling the world how proud we are to support the league’s first gay player. Any bets how many comments with the word ‘fag’ in them are already up there, along with the good ones? How many demands that we send you back down where you belong?

How would you know? Scott asked. You haven’t even looked.

Come on, Edison, you know how this goes. Shall we check? She stalked to the in-suite dining table where a laptop was set up. After a second’s hesitation, Scott rose and followed her. Casey stuck to Scott’s elbow, with Will trailing behind them.

Vail typed her password and the screen opened to the team Facebook page. Front and center was a picture of Scott scoring a different goal, one Casey thought might have been the third of his hat trick. The team’s message of support was posted above it. Below it, the list of comments was already long and getting longer. Vail scrolled through them as they read over her shoulder. Most were great. Some were grateful and wistful and made Casey’s throat tight. But mixed in were all the words of hate he’d ever heard, in a froth of anger and disgust and hate. Abuse, threats of boycotts—

Casey bumped Scott’s arm and said, Notice how bigots can’t spell? Or write?

Scott snorted, though Casey could feel the rigid tension in his body.

Vail said, Sorry, maybe that was harsh, but I want you to understand why I need to be on top of things. She tapped over to the team website where another announcement was posted. This is the longer official statement.

Scott read it through. That’s nice.

We plan to be very nice, as long as you do as you’re told and don’t hide anything from us. Which comes to point one. William, Casey? She glanced between them. I want biographies from you two. Anything good we can highlight, and anything relevant that might be dredged up and used against Edison.

This isn’t about them, Scott protested.

Sure it is. Will’s tone was easy and smooth, like a day at home on the ranch, even though the troll comments had to have bitten deep for him too. What affects you, affects all of us. Right? He turned to Vail. You tell me what you need, ma’am. I’m pretty much an open book.

Any arrests? Any scandals? Past lovers who might have naked pictures or video, especially of kinks? Past sex partners who were underage, or married?

"No, ma’am. Well, I can’t swear I never made out with a married man,