Game Changers, #6
The Long Game
by Rachel Reid
Contents
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Overview
Ottawa’s resurgence continues with a big home win that lifts team spirit. Troy decides to come out and later announces he’s dating Harris as Harris adopts team dog Chiron. Ilya wrestles with jealousy and fear, seeks therapy, then follows advice by telling old friend Svetlana about Shane, expanding his support network.
Summary
Midway through Ottawa’s first home game after the break, Ilya needles Detroit’s Kerr as the energized crowd backs a 5–2 win capped by Troy’s empty-netter. At Monk’s, the team celebrates. Buoyed by momentum and his relationship with Harris, Troy confides to Ilya that he may come out publicly on Pride Night.
After practice, Harris brings Chiron to the locker room and reveals the dog won’t be a therapy dog; Harris plans to adopt him. Troy then stands before the team and announces he’s gay and dating Harris, sealing it with a kiss as teammates cheer. Ilya is thrilled yet privately jealous, reminding himself his time will come.
Feeling unsettled, Ilya returns to therapy with Galina. He shares his engagement to Shane and plans to come out in summer but admits fears that Shane might panic or later resent career fallout. Galina encourages him to tell a trusted friend to break the isolation.
In Boston, amid boos and penalties, Ilya arranges dinner with old friend Svetlana. Over drinks, he explains signing with Ottawa to be near someone and finally reveals he’s in love with a man—Shane Hollander. After initial shock, Svetlana is supportive. They part warmly, agreeing to stay in touch, leaving Ilya feeling more whole and less alone.
Who Appears
- Ilya RozanovOttawa captain; revels in winning, supports Troy, struggles with jealousy, returns to therapy, and confides his relationship with Shane to Svetlana.
- Troy BarrettTeammate who plans a public coming out; announces he’s gay and dating Harris; scores empty-netter.
- HarrisTeam social media manager; dating Troy; brings Chiron to the locker room and plans to adopt him.
- Svetlana VetrovIlya’s blunt, glamorous old friend and former fling; learns and supports his secret relationship with Shane.
- GalinaIlya’s therapist; congratulates the engagement and urges him to tell a trusted friend.
- Evan DykstraTeammate; banters at Monk’s and shares the Boston penalty box with Ilya.
- BoodVeteran teammate; jokes after the win and challenges others to pool before dashing to expectant wife.
- ChironTeam dog; deemed not therapy-dog material; soon to be adopted by Harris.
- KerrDetroit defenseman; target of Ilya’s trash talk during Ottawa’s win.