Chapter 131 Chapter 131

Chapter 131 Chapter 131
The guys were at the ice rink for hockey practice, the sound of skates cutting across the ice echoed throughout the arena as Coach Daniel barked out instructions from the sidelines.

"Keep your formation!"

"Scott, quicker on the pass!"

"Logan, eyes on the puck!"

The team immediately adjusted, continuing the drill without complaint.

Well... almost without distraction.

"COME ON, LOGAN!"

Every player on the ice instinctively glanced toward the stands.

Chase was standing there with both hands cupped around his mouth.

"YOU'VE GOT THIS!"

A few players snorted with laughter.

Ethan nearly lost control of the puck as he laughed.

Coach Daniel slowly turned toward the source of the noise, his brows knitting together in annoyance.

Logan closed his eyes briefly, already knowing exactly who it was.

A helpless smile still found its way onto his lips.

"GO, LOGAN!"

"YOU'RE THE BEST!"

Another round of laughter spread through the team.

Jace skated over until he was beside Logan, shaking his head.

"You need to get your boyfriend under control before Coach decides to throw him out."

Logan sighed dramatically. "I know."

"We all know he's crazy about you." Jace continued quietly, trying not to laugh himself. "But if he keeps screaming like that, Coach is either going to kick him out or kill him. Do something."

Logan looked toward Chase again.

The idiot was clapping enthusiastically while completely ignoring the dirty looks Coach Daniel kept sending his way.

He couldn't help laughing.

"I'll take care of it."

Logan skated toward the edge of the rink before gesturing for Chase to come over.

The moment Chase noticed him, his entire face lit up.

He hurried over with a huge grin.

"There he is!" Chase beamed.

Logan rested both arms on top of the barrier separating the rink from the stands.

"Are you trying to get me kicked off the team?" He asked, trying his hardest to sound serious.

Chase blinked innocently. "Now who would do that?"

"You, apparently."

"I'm just supporting my boyfriend." Chase shrugged. "What's wrong with that?"

Logan laughed, unable to stay serious. "Nothing's wrong with supporting me." He pointed toward the team. "But your yelling is distracting everyone."

He tilted his head toward Coach Daniel.

"I'm pretty sure Coach is about five seconds away from throwing you out."

Chase glanced over.

Coach Daniel happened to be staring directly at him with his arms folded.

"...Oh."

Logan laughed harder.

"I didn't mean to cause a scene." Chase admitted sheepishly. "I just wanted to cheer you on."

"I know."

Logan reached over the barrier and intertwined their fingers.

"And trust me... it means more to me than you'll ever know." His smile softened. "But you can support me without shouting my name every ten seconds."

Chase rubbed the back of his neck. "Fair enough."

"I don't want you getting yelled at."

"I understand."

A smile slowly spread across Chase's face.

"I guess I got carried away." He looked into Logan's eyes. "I just love you that much."

Warmth spread through Logan's chest.

He rolled his eyes playfully.

"Whose ridiculously crazy boyfriend is this?"

Chase smiled proudly. "Yours." He squeezed Logan's hand. "Entirely yours."

Logan reached over and ruffled his hair. "I love you."

"I love you more."

"I'll see you later."

Chase nodded. "I've got my next class anyway."

He glanced around discreetly.

Most of the players were busy talking among themselves while Coach Daniel was focused on explaining the next drill.

Seeing no one paying attention, Chase leaned over the barrier and quickly stole a kiss.

It lasted only a second.

"Be careful on the ice." He whispered.

"I will."

Chase smiled one last time before turning and jogging toward the exit.

Logan watched him disappear through the arena doors.

A bright smile remained on his face.

Just that tiny kiss had made his entire morning.

He already missed him.

"Logan!"

Scott's voice pulled him back to reality.

He turned around.

Scott was standing on the ice with his hockey stick resting across his shoulders.

"You done flirting?" He asked with an amused smile.

Logan felt his ears grow warm. "Maybe."

Scott laughed. "Come on. Practice isn't over yet."

Logan nodded, adjusting his gloves before skating back onto the ice.

This time, he felt lighter.

More energized.

And with Chase's smile still lingering in his mind, he was more determined than ever to give practice everything he had.


The guys were gathered around their usual table in the cafeteria, lunch trays spread out in front of them as laughter filled the air.

"You guys should've seen him." Ethan said between laughs. "He was literally yelling, 'You got this, Logan!' across the entire ice rink."

Jacob burst out laughing.

"I'm serious!" Ethan continued. "Even Coach looked like he was about to jump over the barrier and strangle him."

The table erupted into another round of laughter.

Only Chase remained completely unbothered.

He leaned back in his chair with a shrug.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh all you want." He waved them off. "I don't feel embarrassed at all. I was simply supporting my boyfriend."

He slid his chair a little closer to Logan before linking their arms together.

"And I'm pretty sure Logan doesn't mind." He turned to him with the softest smile. "Right, baby?"

Logan couldn't help laughing.

He shook his head.

"No, I don't."

"There!" Chase pointed proudly at him. "You heard him."

Ethan dramatically covered his face. "Oh God..."

Jacob let out an exaggerated groan. "You two are crazy."

"Crazily in love, you mean." Chase corrected with a wink.

Jacob stared at him for a second before pretending to gag.

"I swear one day I'm going to kill you."

"You say that every week."

"And one day I'll actually do it."

The table burst into laughter again.

Scott shook his head with an amused smile while Jace quietly sipped his drink, watching the chaos unfold.

Just then, Logan's phone began ringing.

He reached into his pocket absentmindedly, intending to decline the call, but the moment he saw the caller ID, his smile disappeared.

Mom.

His fingers tightened around the phone.

Without another word, he slowly stood up.

"I'll be right back."

The others except for Chase barely paid attention as he quietly walked out of the cafeteria.

Once outside, he stopped beneath a large tree near the pathway.

He stared at the screen for a brief moment.

His heart was already beating faster.

Taking a deep breath, he answered.

"Hello, Mom."

"Logan!" His mother's relieved voice immediately came through the phone. "Where are you? Your father and I just got home, but you weren't here."

She paused before continuing.

"And... most of your things are gone." Her voice became more anxious. "Are you okay? Did something happen while we were away? Where are you, sweetheart?"

Logan closed his eyes briefly. "I'm okay, Mom. I didn't expect you and Dad to come back so soon."

His mother sighed softly. "We missed home. And we missed you. So we wrapped everything up earlier than planned." She laughed quietly. "Your father has also been worrying about you this entire trip."

Logan smiled. "I'm not a little kid anymore, Mom."

"I know." Her voice softened. "But that doesn't stop us from worrying."

There was a brief silence.

"So... Where are your things?" Her tone became hesitant. "Did... did you move out without telling us?"

Logan immediately felt guilty. "No. No, Mom. It's... a long story." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I'll come home tomorrow. I'll explain everything then."

His mother sounded even more worried. "Logan... Are you in some kind of trouble?"

"No." He answered immediately. "I promise I'm okay. I just... don't think this is something I should explain over the phone."

He looked toward the cafeteria windows.

"I'm still at school, and my lunch break is almost over."

There was another pause before his mother finally sighed.

"Alright. As long as you're safe." Her voice became warm again. "I'll make your favorite meal tomorrow. So don't you dare cancel."

Logan smiled. "I wouldn't dream of it."

"Good. I love you, sweetheart."

"I love you too, Mom."

"See you tomorrow."

"See you."

The call ended.

Logan slowly lowered his phone.

A long breath escaped his lips.

His parents had come home far earlier than expected.

He had hoped for a little more time.

Time to think.

Time to prepare.

Time to figure out how he was going to tell them about Chase.

But maybe...

Maybe there was no perfect time.

Maybe the only thing left to do...

...was tell them the truth.

He tightened his grip around his phone before slowly turning around.

His steps came to an abrupt halt.

Chase was standing a few feet away, concern was written all over his face.

He had obviously noticed how long the call had taken and had come looking for him.

The moment their eyes met, Chase walked over.

"Baby... Is everything okay?"

Logan looked at the guy he loved.

The guy who had taught him it was okay to be himself.

The guy who had never once made him feel ashamed for who he was.

A small smile slowly spread across his face.

His uncertainty disappeared.

His heart suddenly felt lighter.

He knew exactly what he had to do.

Tomorrow...

He was going to tell his parents the truth.