Hat Trick 3: Penalty Shot (30 page)

Scottie came up and started down at the end of the line of coaches, shaking hands. It gave things a more official air than just fist bumps. He wrapped up with me before he took the podium.

He pulled a piece of paper from his jeans pocket. “I’ve played hockey for over ten years now and this is probably my favorite season ever. I came so close to not being able to play at all, but with the help of the people you see up here, and all of the teammates out there, I got to play. This started as a sort of selfish endeavor to make sure I had ice time. It means so much more now.

“We made a point this season. A flamboyant goalie can play, and play well. A transgender guy can go out and kick ass with no hesitation. A team of mixed sexual orientation can get together with the goal of playing good hockey and do it without any name calling, or questions about what’s going to go on in a locker room. At times we met opposition that tried to make us feel less-than because there were queers on the ice. By the time the final buzzer sounded this afternoon, we had coaches looking to poach our players, gay and straight. We had the respect of the league that initially didn’t want us there. All we did was go out and play. Thanks to you all for being a part of it. I hope if you’re eligible to play next year that you’ll come back. I don’t know about you, but I want that shiny cup to have our name on it. Now, one last time, guys, on three…One, two, three…”

The room erupted in “Rainbow High” loud enough that I saw people down on the rink look up towards our room to see what was happening.

“Now let’s eat,” Scottie said over the cheering to get everyone moving towards the food spread.

“That was awesome,” Alex said, as I turned off the mic. “I don’t think I’ve been to such a lively banquet, even our senior year one at Central.”

“Right,” I said. “It’s pretty incredible.”

“You two did good stuff here,” Hillary said as Mimi came up to her side.

“No,” I said, looking at Hillary as well as Danny, Trent and Alex. “
We
did good stuff here.”

Alex pulled us all into a group hug before we joined everyone else in working through the food line.

The final buzzer sounded and we’d held off Wisconsin’s onslaught to win the game in regulation. It was hard fought, but a blast. We were looking solid with a month to go before heading into the Big Ten Tournament and the NCAA Championships. The team congratulated itself as we pulled off another win.

“Thank you for attending Couple’s Day at Yost,” the announcer said to the spectators. “We have one more special presentation at center ice, you’re welcome to stand by and join us.”

I had no idea what that was about. Yes, it was a pre-Valentine’s Day couples day, but we had event days periodically and they didn’t usually come with a post-game presentation. Danny was suddenly at my side, moving me away from the team and towards center ice. The team was following, too. He put me on the face-off dot.

“Stay right here,” he said.

What the hell?

The team circled around. I did what Danny told me, but I had no idea why I was here. I noticed the Wisconsin players were all on their bench, not clearing off as they normally would. The person I didn’t see in the mix was Alex. He’d been here just a moment ago. I spun around and spotted him coming from the scorekeeper’s box, moving his way into the circle. He had a microphone with him.

“Hi everybody,” he said. This from the guy who hated how he sounded on the pride night video. “Thanks for hanging around. Coming up on Valentine’s Day, and with it being Couple’s Day here, I decided this was the right day to do this. I’m guessing all of you know that this man right here has been my boyfriend for more than four years now.” He pointed at me and there was some applause with that. “We got together during our senior year in high school and have spent the past four years as proud members of the Wolverines.”

I still had no clue what he was doing.

“It seems like this is the perfect place, with our Michigan Family, as well as our families back home and former Central High School friends and teammates watching on Skype, to begin something new.”

Skype? My eyes darted around and I saw Danny with a phone pointed towards us.

Alex dropped to one knee and the whole thing suddenly became very clear.

“Simon Roberts, you’ve been the most wonderful, supportive, caring, awesome, incredible boyfriend. More than I could’ve even dreamed when I licked that cheese off your finger. I love you so much and I want to know if you would make my future complete by becoming my husband.”

Ooohs and aahs came up from the audience.

Oh my God! I wasted no time answering even while my stomach was doing somersaults. “Yes. Absolutely yes!”

The crowd roared their approval while our teammates, and our Wisconsin opponents, banged their sticks on the ice. The sound was deafening, matching, if not exceeding, anything I’d heard for any game win. The scoreboard guy got into the act, too, by sounding the buzzer and activating the lights over the goals.

Alex passed the mic to Trent and I caught sight of a ring box in Alex’s hand. He opened it and took out a thin silver band. I pulled off my left glove and gave him my hand. Alex gently slid the ring on my finger. It was beautiful. He held out the box to me and I saw a second band. I dropped my other glove so I could handle the box. After I removed the ring, Alex let me put the ring on his finger.

I helped him up and wrapped him in a hug.

“This is amazing. I can’t wait to officially become your husband. I don’t know how you pulled this off, but wow.”

“One more thing, too, take a look at the player entrance.”

I looked over my shoulder to see Alex’s parents, my mom and, even more surprising, Zack.

“Incredible! You got everyone here.”

“It’s an important day that should be witnessed by all our friends and family. That’s why we cooked up the Skype thing, since not everyone could get here in person.”

The crowd continued to cheer around us. Even the opposition was still banging their sticks against the boards.

“Congratulations to Simon and Alex on their engagement,” the announcer said. “The entire Michigan hockey family wishes them a happy future. Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes today’s game. We hope you’ll join us in two weeks when Boston College comes to Yost.”

As the crowd started to disperse, our teammates fell in around us to offer congratulations.

“Congrats, you guys,” Trent said. “That was even more spectacular than I imagined it would be.” He hugged us both. “Mimi and Hillary are already on their way to IHOP to greet people for the party.”

“Perfect,” Alex said. “Thanks.”

This was overwhelming. Tears, and some leftover sweat, rolled down my face.

“I love you so much,” I said.

We talked to the remaining players and the ice started to clear. Some of the Wisconsin players skated over and wished us well, too.

At the player entrance, we gently hugged our parents. Zack, however, got the biggest hug. It was great to see him here.

“I can’t imagine the hoops you jumped through to get here again so soon.”

“I wouldn’t miss it. Congratulations, bro.” His voice broke as he spoke.

“We’ll talk at the party, yes?” I asked, releasing him.

“Absolutely,” he said.

We said goodbyes to our families who said they’d meet us at the restaurant.

We were just off the ice and I stood still, looking at Alex. The man I would spend my life with. We’d talked a lot about the future, especially since the start of the year, and I figured we’d marry eventually, but his proposal was a total surprise. It was epic. As usual, he took my breath away.

“You’re staring.”

“I am. I don’t have the words to tell you how much all this means.”

“I’m pretty sure I know.”

I took his hand and brought it up to my mouth to kiss the new ring.

“Let’s go get cleaned up. We’ve got a party to get to.”

Everything was different now as the rings bound us together more than ever.

It was a perfect day. The sun was out. It’d snowed just enough overnight to dust the ground. There was no wind, so while it was cold, it wasn’t freezing. Alex and I stood at the edge of the pond, the place we’d played so many games together. This was the perfect place to officially become husbands.

We decided the ceremony would be small with just family and close friends. Family, high school and college friends and teammates, co-workers. Thirty-four seats we set out in all. Zack and Danny stood with us as our best men. Leo was reading over his remarks nearby. He’d gotten himself ordained online so he could perform the ceremony. I had a feeling that Jackson was here, too. If this were a movie, he’d be in a glowing silhouette standing off to the side.

This evening there’d be a reception at Linden Hall where we’d see a couple hundred people. It wasn’t IHOP, but in a nod to our history, there would be a pancake bar.

I was excited and a little bit nervous.

I couldn’t take my eyes off Alex. He was so incredibly handsome. I’d seen him in formal wear a few times over the years, but the tux he wore today fit him so perfectly, showing off how good his physique was. With his ongoing work to keep his MS at bay, I think he was in better shape now than ever before. It would be a treat to strip him out of those clothes later.

“You ready?” Leo asked. “Everyone’s seated.”

Alex and I looked at each other and nodded.

“Let’s do it,” Alex said.

Leo gave a nod to Hillary, who cued the music. Leo moved out first, taking a position right on the edge of the pond. We’d debated about doing the ceremony on the ice or not, and decided not since we didn’t want to risk anyone slipping. Once Leo was in place, Danny and Zack walked to their spots. We waited a moment before we walked. We weren’t out of sight, but we wanted to have some sort of processional.

Our families were in the front row, with everyone else behind. We deliberately didn’t have a middle aisle so there wouldn’t be any question about which side to sit on. Everyone here were jointly our friends.

“Family and friends,” Leo began once Hillary faded out the music, “we are gathered here today to witness the joining of Simon Aaron Roberts and Alexander Logan Miller. They chose this place for the ceremony because it’s sacred to them. They played a lot of hockey here. It’s here that their closest friends found out about their blossoming relationship. It’s here that they marked the passing of one of their best friends. I dare say if they decide to have a child, that child will end up on this ice at some point.”

Alex and I looked at each other and smiled. It was the first time we were hearing the remarks Leo prepared and he was doing a great job.

“I’ve had the honor of bearing witness to this relationship from the start and I’m proud to perform this ceremony for them. From everything I’ve seen, these two are meant to be together. They’ve seen each other through some amazing, triumphant times and through a few difficulties, too. They always come out stronger than before, not only as individuals but as a couple. I’ve no doubt they have a strong foundation for the future.

“I know both Zack and Danny have brief remarks. Once they’re done, if anyone in attendance has anything to share, you may do so.”

We knew Zack and Danny wanted to speak. Giving the audience time was unexpected and kinda cool. I’m glad we told Leo he didn’t have to run anything by us.

Zack took a step forward. “I’ve learned more from my brother in the past four years than I ever thought possible. I couldn’t be more proud of him for getting through every challenge thrown at him to end up here. I wish you both all the joy possible, and then some.”

He gave me a quick hug before stepping back.

“I’m a relative newcomer to this circle of friends, and I’m honored that Alex asked me to stand with him,” Danny said. “I’ve learned so much from these two about what it means to be in love.” He paused and looked at Sara, who smiled back at him. “If you spend any time around them at all, you see how they look after each other in both the smallest and largest ways. I aspire to love the same way they do.”

A tear fell from Alex’s left eye and that was all it took for me to lose the battle with my emotions.

“Anyone else?” Leo asked.

We turned to face the crowd so we could see them. Right away Derek, who was here with Ariel, stood. “I was a freshman when these two were seniors at Central. It was a thrill to be on their line and skate with such excellent players. These two helped me see what teamwork was about, what integrity was about, and the importance of being true to yourself.”

Matt stood next. “I’ve a bit of a selfish comment, really. I have to thank these two for putting Leo in my life.”

“You’re welcome.” I stole a look at Leo and caught him blushing.

Alex’s father stood next. “The love these two share, I know, got Alex through the past year.” He paused for a moment and took Martha’s hand. “It gave him the security to know that no matter what, someone would be there,” his voice cracked and he paused again. “It was more than any words his mother and I could’ve given, any doctor could’ve given. And I’m very thankful for that.”

Alex walked out to his dad and wrapped him in a hug. His mother wept quietly and he gave her a quick kiss before coming back to me. As he resumed his spot, he wiped a tear from my cheek and I returned the favor.

Trent stood. “I have a message from Scottie, a goalie these two coach in Ann Arbor.” He read from a paper. “You gave me, and a bunch of people, a chance to prove ourselves on the ice. You’ve also shown a lot of us what we want in a relationship. From me, and all of Rainbow High, past and present, we wish you all the happiness.”

Coach Archer stood next. I had no idea when Leo opened this up that this outpouring would happen. Tears flowed freely and, thankfully, I avoided breaking down completely.

“I’m speaking not only for myself, but Coach Greg Rapp as well, who couldn’t be here because it’s game day. It’s been an honor to have these two as part of our hockey families. They’re outstanding teammates, outstanding young men and we’re looking forward to hearing stories of their happiness and success. Teams, on three,” the Wolverines and Falcons in attendance stood, “one…two…three…”