The Welcome Party

Chapter Four — The Welcome Party

Saturday night arrived faster than Beck expected.

The championship organizers had decided to throw a welcome party for all the teams staying in town.

Which meant one thing.

Almost every hockey player in the tournament would be there.

Beck stood in front of his bedroom mirror, fixing the collar of his shirt.

His phone buzzed.

Mason: We're outside.

Beck grabbed his jacket.

"Coming!"

His mother looked up from the living room when he walked downstairs.

"You're going to the welcome party?"

"Unfortunately."

She smiled.

"Have fun."

"I will."

"And be careful."

"Always."

She raised an eyebrow.

Beck laughed.

"Okay. Usually."

"Better."

He kissed her cheek before heading out.

The party was already packed when they arrived.

Music shook the walls.

Players from different schools filled the room, talking, laughing and showing off their school jackets.

For once, nobody was thinking about hockey.

Beck liked that.

He walked inside with Mason and immediately spotted several teammates.

Then someone grabbed his arm.

"Beck!"

He turned.

His smile appeared instantly.

"Lucas!"

Lucas pulled him into a quick hug.

Mason grinned.

"Here we go."

Beck rolled his eyes.

"What?"

"You two."

"What about us?"

"You disappear for five minutes and suddenly—"

"Shut up."

Lucas laughed.

Beck turned back toward the crowd.

Then he noticed someone standing near the other side of the room.

Aitor.

Of course.

Aitor was surrounded by several St. Aurelia players, but he wasn't really participating in their conversation.

His eyes were scanning the room.

Until they landed on Beck.

Beck lifted his drink slightly.

Aitor gave him a small nod.

Then Aitor's eyes moved to Lucas.

Back to Beck.

Lucas leaned closer.

"Is that the guy?"

Beck looked at him.

"What guy?"

"The one you've been complaining about all week."

Beck sighed.

"Valdez."

Lucas looked across the room.

"Oh."

"Exactly."

"You really don't like him."

"Not even slightly."

Lucas smiled.

"Sure."

Beck frowned.

"What does that mean?"

"Nothing."

Before Beck could answer, the music changed.

Lucas grabbed his hand.

"Come on."

"Where?"

"Dance floor."

Beck laughed.

"Absolutely not."

"You're coming."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

Lucas pulled him toward the crowd anyway.

Beck eventually gave up, laughing as they disappeared into the group.

Across the room, Aitor watched.

He wasn't sure why.

He told himself it was because Beck was his rival.

Because knowing his opponent mattered.

That was all.

Then someone beside him spoke.

"Valdez."

Aitor turned.

His teammate, Javier, nodded toward the dance floor.

"You know Hayes is gay, right?"

Aitor's expression barely changed.

"No."

Javier shrugged.

"He's pretty open about it."

Aitor looked back.

Beck was laughing with Lucas.

There was nothing secretive about him.

No hesitation.

No nervous glances around the room.

He wasn't trying to hide anything.

He was simply being himself.

Aitor looked away.

"Oh."

Javier frowned.

"You didn't know?"

"No."

"Well, now you do."

Aitor nodded.

He should have forgotten about it immediately.

Instead, the information stayed in his head.

Beck Hayes is gay.

For some reason, that fact felt strangely significant.

He didn't understand why.

Later that night, Beck walked outside to get some air.

The noise from inside faded behind him.

He leaned against the railing and looked up at the night sky.

The door opened.

Beck glanced over.

Aitor stepped outside.

Beck sighed.

"You've got to be kidding me."

Aitor leaned against the opposite railing.

"I could say the same."

"You following me now?"

"No."

"Good."

Silence.

Beck looked at him.

"You enjoying the party?"

"It's fine."

"That's the most enthusiastic thing I've ever heard you say."

Aitor smiled slightly.

"You seem to be enjoying it."

"I am."

Aitor nodded.

Then, after a pause:

"Your boyfriend?"

Beck looked at him.

"Lucas?"

Aitor shrugged.

"Yeah."

Beck smiled.

"He's not my boyfriend."

"Oh."

"Why?"

"No reason."

Beck studied him.

There was something different about Aitor tonight.

Not arrogant.

Not competitive.

Just... curious.

Beck folded his arms.

"You know I'm gay, right?"

Aitor looked at him.

"I know now."

Beck laughed softly.

"Okay."

"What?"

"Nothing."

"What?"

"You're just acting like I told you some huge secret."

Aitor looked away.

"Maybe it is."

Beck's smile faded slightly.

"For you?"

Aitor didn't answer.

Before Beck could ask again, the door opened.

Mason stuck his head outside.

"Beck! They're looking for you."

Beck pushed himself away from the railing.

"Coming."

He looked at Aitor.

"See you tomorrow, Valdez."

Aitor nodded.

"Tomorrow."

Beck disappeared inside.

Aitor remained outside.

The music continued behind the door.

He stared into the darkness.

He didn't know why learning that Beck was gay had unsettled him.

It shouldn't have.

It was just information.

Just another fact about his rival.

So why couldn't he stop thinking about it?