Something tells me that biting my nails would be really pathetic. Not to mention difficult to do while wearing gloves.

"Would you stop panicking over there and pass me the puck?" Dandy hisses. I've been so lost in thought that I completely forgot the puck was still on my stick. I pass the puck to him and watch him skate up to the net with it and shoot it on Manny.

It's not a very productive practice, we're all frustrated over the tie with Nashville. I'm trying to concentrate, but my mind keeps shifting to the fact that Steve is in the trainer's room working out on the equipment back there. I'm probably going to have to talk to him today, and I'm so nervous. What do I say to him? Do I pretend nothing's happened?

At least I'm not the only one distracted. There seems to be something in the air that's affecting everyone's attention spans. Every few minutes, someone will say something to someone else, that person will start laughing, and we'll all have to try to regain our focus. The phrase "not getting anywhere" comes to mind.

Finally, Bowman dismisses us, and we all gladly rush into the locker room. Everyone hurries to shower and change so that they can go home. We're like little kids who can't wait to get out of school. I'm pulling my shirt over my head when I hear a voice from behind me. "Boyd?"

I turn around and see Stevie standing there, and my heart feels the need to jump up into my throat. "Hi," I say, trying to sound calm.

He smiles. "Hey. Want to go for a walk?"

Oh right. Like I'm gonna say no to that, to anything that he would ask of me. "Sure, I guess..." And then we're walking. Next to each other. I'm actually shaking, and I'm not sure if it's from nervousness or excitement.

After a few minutes, Steve turns to look at me. "Boyd, I have a favor to ask of you."

I try to keep my eyes from popping out of my head. "Uhm, ok. What do you want me to do?"

There's that smile again. I swear, he could melt glaciers with his grin. "Well here's the thing. I don't know if you've noticed, but Shanny....the man has no life whatsoever. In fact, he has no life other than making my life miserable."

I have no idea what he's talking about, but I nod obediently anyways. "Where do I come into this?"

Steve's smile gets a bit wider. "Well you see, I've been watching the going-ons in the locker room for awhile, and I've noticed there's been someone who can't keep their eyes off Shanny."

I can't help a gulp. He can't mean me. He can't think that I...that I would be staring at Shanny. That I would even have the time away from being obsessed with him to stare at Shanny. "Who...who would that be?" I squeak out.

"Dandy."

Oh. Oh phew. It's like a weight has been lifted from me....wait a sec. Dandy? "Dandy has been staring at Shanny?"

Steve looks confused. "Yeah. You mean you never noticed?"

I shake my head. "No, I must have been...uhm...distracted." It's amazing what you miss when you're having panic attacks.

He shrugs. "Well, I saw it, believe me. Which brings me to that favor. I know you and Dandy are friends. Do you think you could maybe talk him into initiating some conversations with Shanny, seeing what happens?"

I blink. Is Steve asking me to help set people up? "I...I'll try, but I can't guarantee anything. Dandy is...he's sort of new to the whole 'being attracted to other men' thing. I don't think he's used to it."

Steve seems to ponder this for a moment. "He's not going to get used to it if he doesn't try."

It hits me that Steve is talking with a whole lot of knowledge on that topic, which means that..."Are you...I mean, do you..."

He lays a hand on my shoulder. "Boyd, are you trying to ask me if I'm gay?" I nod, grateful for the save. "I'm bisexual."

He's...he's...oh my God. He's bisexual. Fuck you, Doug Weight, the greatest captain in the whole NHL is bisexual. There isn't something wrong with me, being gay isn't a poison. I feel like jumping for joy. "I...uhm...I didn't know."

He smiles softly. "Now you do." He releases my shoulder. "So, do we have a deal? You'll talk to Dandy?"

"Sure. I'll do my best." I can feel myself blushing.

"Thanks. I rally appreciate it." We start to walk back to Joe Louis Arena, and I decide that this rivals the day I got traded to Detroit as the happiest day of my life. He's bisexual. It still might not be ok to be in love with him, but it's a little more ok now. And I guess this is the proof that he really does want to be friends. I don't know why, but he does. And you better believe that's a great feeling.

How could you believe in someone sorry and sad like me
I know the deal and I thank you anyways
And if you leave you know I'm crawling at your feet
You never get weak when I'm leaning hard on you
And I guess that's just the way you are
- Goo Goo Dolls, "Just The Way You Are"

Part 16 | Part 18