In Every Universe

27. Cameron

TWENTY-SEVEN

CAMERON

Seeing Zacky be so strong and beautiful on the ice calmed the final anxious piece of Cameron’s heart. Getting back to fighting trim had been tough, and not just because of the head injury. While Zacky’s body had been playing pro-level hockey until the head injury, his brain hadn’t. He needed to learn systems, build some chemistry with the team, and figure out how to pace himself to play a full sixty.

They were in Seattle for the final game in the regular season. The outcome of the game didn’t matter. Seattle was already eliminated from playoffs, and Texas had clinched the week prior. The boys were taking it easy, trying to save energy for the games that did matter, and Cameron was so blisteringly grateful for the position he found himself in. Their team was good . Zacky was not only healthy, and not only his best friend, but also the best lover he had ever had. Cameron used to balk at the certainty people had when they talked about their partner being the one , but, well, Zacky was the fucking one.

Most people didn’t get to have their lover be their winger, but there was Zacky, catching his passes and jumping into scrums to protect Cameron despite his recent injury. That was one thing Cameron would have to talk to him about because if he was the reason Zacky ever got hurt again, he would have to get a therapist.

“Ves!” Zacky called out on the ice, using his hockey nickname the way they both did with each other around the boys. Zacky was open, right in the high slot, and Cameron passed him the puck before he had a chance to think about it. And once it was on the toe of Zacky’s stick, he shoveled it into the net, right over the goalie’s leg pad, glove side.

There was no goal horn for the away team, but Cameron’s arms shot up as though he was celebrating his own goal, while shock spread over Zacky’s face. It was his first NHL goal.

“Yeah, baby!” Cameron shouted, as the rest of their teammates on the ice crushed them in a hug. They were already winning a game that didn’t matter, and the over celebration could have been considered poor sportsmanship. But by now, everyone in the hockey world knew Zacky’s scenario. If anyone was allowed to celebrate this goal, it was him.