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“Thanks, man. You’re comin’ to the presser, right?”
“Would not miss it.”
Hayes had only told a few of the guys about what he and TK had planned, Osi being one of them. However, in typical Bridgeport style, it appeared word had spread rather quickly because almost all of them were foregoing the showers and throwing on a quick change of clothes. Rizz approached Hayes and put a hand on his shoulder. “I’m proud of you, Hayes. The two of you. It’s important to live your truth, and I’ll be right there supporting you the whole time, brother.”
Hayes nodded, taking the hand he’d extended for a handshake, clasping it in his own, then pulling Rizz in for a hug. “I appreciate you, man. Thank you.”
Reaching into his stall to grab his phone, he turned around when he felt another hand rest on his shoulder. “Hey, Teek.”
“Hey. So, are you ready for this?”
“No. But we gotta.”
“Ugh, I know. Yo, you played like the absolute fucking star you are tonight. I’m so proud of you.”
“You did, too, Teek. Had my back at every turn.”
“And I always will, baby.”
Just then, Hastings came into the locker room and made a beeline for Hayes and TK. “Boys, listen. I just wanna say…”
“It’s happenin’, Coach. I’m sorry, but it’s not somethin’ I can…”
“Hayes, will you shut your fuckin’ yapper for a second? I was gonna say that while I don’t love this idea, I understand you have to do what you have to do. And I want you to know that I support you. Both of you.”
“Thanks, Coach,” Hayes replied softly.
Hastings turned toward TK. “And Travis, what we talked about yesterday? It’s in the works. Should have it finalized by the end of the week. It’s looking like the Sens.”
TK nodded. “Thanks, Coach. I appreciate it.”
“See you both in there. Good luck. And Hayes? Keep your damn cool.”
As TK watched Hastings walk away, Hayes grabbed him by the arm and forcefully turned him in his direction. “Teek? What the fuck’s he talkin’ about the Sens for, man?”
TK looked down and began picking at his fingers. “I…I was gonna tell you, I just…”
Hayes’s eyes pleaded with TK’s. “Teek, no…”
“I have to, baby. If I wanna get better…if I want you to get better, which I do more than anything, then I have to go.”
“No. Trav, we can do this together…”
“You know we can’t. As much as I love you, you know what we have isn’t…it’s very toxic, baby. You know that.”
Hayes nodded, pulling his Bridgeport #17 hoodie over his head, reaching into his stall for his gray wool hat, and pulling it down over his hair. He hadn’t gotten a haircut in a while, so his sweat soaked locks were a bit untamed, being fresh off the ice.
“Here, lemme.” TK reached up and carefully adjusted the hat, tucking some front strands of his hair underneath and smoothing some others gently behind his ears. “There we go.” He kept his hands on the back of Hayes’s head and pulled it forward to meet his own, their foreheads touching. “You’re an absolute fuckin’ beauty, Ty Hayes.”
“I’m gonna miss you so fuckin’ much,” Hayes said quietly, as TK pulled away from him.
“I know. Believe me, I’m gonna miss you, too, baby. But we can still talk. It’s just…it’s better if we aren’t around each other all the time. It’ll be easier for us to heal that way, you know? We’ve been through some shit together, Ty. But we’re gonna be OK. You know that, right? That we’re gonna be OK?”
“I know that, Teek.” Hayes glanced at the clock on the wall.
It was time.
“You ready?” he asked, grabbing TK by the hand.
