CHAPTER 25- PREGAME RITUAL, FIRST GAY KISS

Liam had barely Cracked the door open when the entire team piled into the room like a chaotic wave. Marcus led the charge, Big Mike right behind him, with Lee, Fred, Kowalski, and a few others crowding in, laughing and shoving each other.

“Yo, what the hell is going on in here?” Marcus said, eyes darting between the rumpled bed and Liam’s flushed face. “You two look like you just got caught doing something nasty.”

Big Mike let out a booming laugh, dropping onto the edge of the bed without invitation. “So… how was sleeping in one bed, boys? Did you cuddle? Who stole the blankets? Did either of you wake up spooning?”

The room exploded in laughter and whistles. Lee leaned against the wall, grinning. “Come on, Cap. Spill. Was it spooning or was it big spoon/little spoon situation?”

Fred joined in, “Bet Raphael was the big spoon. He looks like he’d hog the blankets.”

Liam’s face burned. He crossed his arms, trying to look composed. "Really. Really guys? That's what you're starting with? Shut the fuck up. Nothing happened. It was just a bed. We slept. End of story.”

Raphael, leaning against the desk with his arms crossed, looked far too amused. He raised an eyebrow at Liam but said nothing, letting the team have their fun.

Marcus wasn’t done. “Nah, man. You two have been acting weird for weeks. Big Mike told us about the bus ride, now sharing a bed? We need details.”

Big Mike wiggled his eyebrows. “Did you at least get a good night’s sleep, or was it too… hard?”

The room erupted again. Liam wanted the floor to swallow him whole. He could feel Raphael’s eyes on him, that subtle smirk probably still in place.

“Enough,” Lee finally said, waving his hands. “Let’s stop torturing the captain and get on with the pre-game ritual already. We’ve got a game tomorrow.”

Liam rolled his eyes, grateful for the save. “I still don’t understand why we all act like this tradition is sacred. We’re grown men in our twenties.”

Marcus smacked him lightly on the back of the head. “Stop acting superior. This tradition existed long before you became captain. Don’t ruin the vibe.”

The team quickly cleared space, sitting on the beds, the floor, and the chairs. Bottles of alcohol appeared from someone’s bag. Big Mike took charge, explaining the rules with a grin.

“Truth or Dare. Simple. Refuse your truth or dare and you take two shots. No exceptions. No backing out. Let’s get loose.." "But not too loose — we’ve got a game tomorrow.” Liam cut in like the only responsible adult.

The game started innocently enough.

First round: Fred was dared to do ten push-ups while singing the national anthem. He did it badly and everyone laughed.

Second round: Kowalski had to confess his most embarrassing hookup story. The room howled as he described a disastrous night with a puck bunny.

Third round: Lee was asked truth — “Who on the team would you least want to see naked?” He pointed at Big Mike, earning more laughter.

The alcohol flowed. The team got louder, drunker, and more chaotic with each round.

Then Big Mike turned to Liam with a wicked grin. “Your turn, Cap. Truth or Dare?”

Liam sighed. “Dare.”

Big Mike’s grin widened. “I dare you to kiss the person on your left.”

Everyone immediately realized Raphael was sitting on Liam’s left.

The room exploded.

Whistles, shouts, and drunken cheers filled the air. “Do it!” “Kiss the roommate!” “Let’s see some captain-on-captain action!”

Liam’s face went pale. “Shut the fuck up. I’m not doing that.”

Big Mike insisted, “Rules are rules, Cap. Two shots if you refuse.”

Liam grabbed the bottle and took the two shots without hesitation, the burn barely registering over the panic in his chest. No way. Not happening. Not in front of everyone. Not even in secret.

The game continued, but the energy was higher now. Everyone was drunk and reckless.

Later, Raphael got dared to do a series of press ups. To make it entertaining, Liam was instructed to lie on the floor beneath him while he did them.

The room erupted in laughter again. “This is gold!” “Go for it!”

Liam reluctantly lay on the floor. On a normal day, he wouldn't agree to do this, but the alcohol had loosened him up quite a bit. Raphael positioned himself above him, hands on either side of Liam’s head, body hovering. Their faces were inches apart. Raphael started the press-ups, lowering himself slowly until their chests brushed.

On the final rep, Raphael purposely “lost balance” and dropped down, their bodies pressing together for a second — chest to chest, hips brushing, and their lips right on each other's.

Liam remained there with his lips pressed to Raphael's. He could smell and taste the alcohol in Raphael's mouth and he didn't know what to do with this new information.

The room, on the other hand, exploded with shouting, laughter, whistles, and drunken reactions. They seemed to be eating up his current predicament.

Liam shoved Raphael off when his immense shock finally lightened.. “What the hell was that?!” he bellowed. But honestly, there was no actual bite to his words. It was just an act to keep up his straight homophobic mojo.

The teammates laughed harder. “It was obviously an accident, Cap! Relax!”

Raphael acted innocent, shrugging with a smirk. “Lost my balance. Sorry.”

Liam didn’t buy it for a second. He could see the mischief in Raphael’s eyes.

Fed up with everyone’s behavior, Liam finally cut the game short. “Alright, that’s enough. We’re moving on to the second pre-game ritual.”

The team groaned but looked excited. Marcus grinned. “You mean the best one?”

Liam sighed. “Yes. The sauna.”

The room went wild. Everyone cheered and celebrated, already talking about relaxing, sweating out the nerves, and preparing mentally for the game.

Marcus clapped Liam on the back. “Can’t wait to scrub each other’s backs. Team bonding at its finest.”

The team immediately joined in with more ridiculous comments. “Who’s scrubbing Raphael’s back?” “Cap, you volunteering?” “Make sure you get all the hard-to-reach spots!”

Liam’s horrified reaction was instant. His face paled as he realized what this meant.

He was about to be trapped in a hot, steamy sauna with Raphael — after everything that had happened today.

The thought made his stomach twist with dread… and something dangerously close to anticipation.