AMOTM

“Hey,” Cliff says, suddenly struck with the best idea he’s ever had. “I think I know someone you’d get along great with.”

“Marleau, I’m not really looking—“

“No, no, trust me. He’s a good guy, and one of the best hockey players I’ve ever met—aside from you, of course.”

Shane isn’t sure where Cliff is going with this, but he does know he’s not interested in anyone but Ilya.

“I know you mean well but—“

“Rozanov,” Cliff announces, grin a mile wide, and Shane blinks. Cliff, for his part, is incredibly sure this is a good idea; he knows that Ilya is bisexual, even if he doesn’t talk about it. Even Cliff is aware of the dangers with Russia. Even if the rest of the league hates it, they can fuck off.

Mistaking Shane’s silence for skepticism, Cliff continues, “I know he seems like an asshole, but he’s one of the best men you’ll ever meet. I know you’ve seen it—the whole rivalry thing is bullshit anyways, right? He’s actually a big softie…”

And all of this is treated as No Big Deal. Because Shane isn't allowed to do anything but what Ilya wants. Isn't allowed to feel anything but love for this man who resents and mistreats him, and anger at himself for his own perceived selfishness. Not one time is he given space by the narrative to push back on Ilya's behavior- instead he turns it back onto himself. Which, gee, sounds AN AWFUL LOT like what someone in an abusive relationship would do, by the way.

His own parents don't even appear to give a fuck about him. All we get is Yuna asking who accused him of tripping. All of the anxiety and pressure and pain that he endures through this book, and the only time he gets this weak-ass show of support is when it's directly related to hockey (I may be wrong on this point- I haven't reread TLG in ages).

"Shane has so much support!"

You smile a lot. Is that a bad thing?

HUDSON WILLIAMS as TREVOR Snow Angel (2022) dir. Hudson Williams

They are back on the ice