Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 117872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 589(@200wpm)___ 471(@250wpm)___ 393(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 589(@200wpm)___ 471(@250wpm)___ 393(@300wpm)
“Ugh,” he groans, dropping his head like he just can’t deal.
I wrap an arm around his waist. “I can go upstairs. Or I can be with you if you want.”
He turns into my touch, looping his arms around my waist. “Now that I got you all locked up, I want you with me. You know that, right?”
My heart glows. “I do.”
He nuzzles my neck, then bites my ear. “Fuck, I’m getting horny again.”
I slug his arm. “You’re always horny!”
“That’s true.”
“But you can’t be horny if he’s coming over, so let’s order food and watch a show.”
“Watching a show with you makes me horny,” he says, shameless about his sex drive.
“Then I’m making dinner, since you only behave while I’m cooking.”
“That’s debatable.”
While he replies to Xavier, I gather the ingredients to whip up a quick veggie and tofu stir-fry.
Thirty minutes later, the meal’s ready, but before we can sit down to eat, the doorbell rings, so I set everything on simmer.
Jason lets in his teammate. I meet them in the living room, giving a chin nod and a brief wave.
“Hey, man,” Xavier says to me.
“Hey.”
“Let’s talk,” Jason says, but he’s on his guard even as he gestures to the couch.
Xavier sits on one side, and Jason and I on the other.
The guest wastes no time. “Listen, I wanted to explain myself. I might have come across like a homophobic jackass,” he says to Jason.
Jason doesn’t acknowledge the comment, but there’s a bit of if the shoe fits in his shrug.
“I come from a different world than you. I’ve been in the league for fourteen years, and times are different now, but when I started, man . . .” Xavier blows out a weighty breath, but Jason waits for him to go on.
“The world was not this world. Guys didn’t come out. I had a friend on my first team who was in the closet the whole time,” Xavier says, shaking his head in visible regret. “We went to bars together, and he went home with dudes. I kept his secret, but he was terrified of the backlash if anyone found out. He was sure the team would cut him, the fans would slash his tires, harass his mother. Anything.”
“That sucks,” Jason says.
“He retired eight years ago, and he only just came out earlier this year.” Xavier looks from Jason to me. “But guys like you are making changes. And guys like me—straight dudes who sometimes don’t have a fucking clue but want to do the right thing,” he says, then stops, struggling to find the words. “You hear me?”
Jason studies Xavier’s face. “I’m not sure I do, Xavier. But I want to.”
I might know what Xavier’s problem is. It’s something I struggle with at times. I don’t always talk in a straight line either. “You’re saying you worry about us because you’ve seen the flip side. And you know, too, that people are going to be assholes, so you want to keep your ear to the ground for us,” I supply.
Xavier thrusts his arms high. “Yes! Thank you for translating X-Man speak.” He turns back to Jason. “I’ve seen the way it was, and I know there are also guys like Coach, who are just pricks, plain and simple. I played for him back in Miami when he was an offensive coordinator, and I saw that ice in his eyes, you know?”
“Know that well,” Jason says, warming up to Xavier. He’s leaning closer, and his voice is less distant.
“And I pay attention to what people say on social media. Most are chill, but some are flaming turds. And at the end of the day, most fans just care about winning. But I want you to know where I’m coming from. I’ve seen some of the shittier days, and here we are in better days.” He takes a beat and locks eyes with Jason with ferocity in his dark gaze. “But I’m your teammate, and I’ll be here for you.”
Jason smiles and offers a hand. “We’re all good, X-Man. Thanks for coming by.”
Xavier leans forward to shake with him, then relaxes against the couch and stretches his arms across the back. I struggle not to smile at Jason’s expression as his teammate ignores the hint to leave, manspreads over the sofa, and sniffs the air. “Something smells good.”
“I made dinner.” Damn, that feels good to say. Yes, I made dinner for my boyfriend at his house.
Xavier hums. “Something smells real good.”
Jason cracks up. “You can stay for dinner, X-Man.”
The cornerback pops up. “Thanks for the invite, bro.”
We head to the kitchen and eat, the old guard and the new.
46
THE CHORE LIST
Jason
Once upon a time, back in October, I wanted to take Beck to Lulu’s Diner. On Tuesday, a few days after Xavier’s visit, I do. After we order, I slide in next to Beck and snap a picture of us, then I return to my side of the booth and type.