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)
We pad our lead and don’t look back.
The best part of the win? As we head off the field, Coach gives Elroy and Johnson pats on the back.
In the locker room, I invite them, Xavier, and some of the other guys to join Orlando, Devon, Nate, and me at The Spotted Zebra.
That’s what we need. To be more of a tight-knit team.
Riding on a post-game high, I practically jog through the concourse to meet my dad. The stubborn turkey is powering up the steps on his crutches.
“You need to stop showing off!” I call out.
“Never.” Then he adds, “Great game, kid. Everyone played well.”
“They did,” I say, boosted by adrenaline and pure joy. “They really did.”
We stop in at Dad’s favorite Chinese restaurant before I take him home, then I park the car at my place so I can walk to The Spotted Zebra.
Along the way, I check the rest of the scores in the league. “Fuck,” I mutter when the Renegades’ overtime win flashes on the screen.
But I’m not totally annoyed. I’m weirdly happy for Beck, and that’s not a feeling I want to have for my rival.
I don’t want to think about him too much either, so I do my best to focus on my teammates when I reach the bar.
It’s time for a karaoke sing-off.
Xavier takes to the stage, busting out some John Denver in his baritone while Elroy and Johnson cheer him on.
I opt to croon some Frank Sinatra, but when I sing the line about exchanging glances in the night, I’m picturing Beck without even wanting to.
What’s he doing tonight? How does he celebrate a win? Will they let loose on the team plane on the way home?
Thoughts of Beck dog me the rest of the night even as I chat with the guys about the game, the city, and life as we know it.
As nine rolls around, I’m spent from today’s hard-fought game, so I head to the register and ask the bartender to close out my tab.
“I’ll have that for you in a minute,” she says.
“Thanks so much. And I’ll cover the rest of my team too,” I reply.
“Sounds great,” she says.
As I return to Devon, Orlando, and Nate a few stools away, the voice of the sports anchor on the TV screen snags my attention.
“This is Eva Sanchez, and I’m here with Beck Cafferty after the Renegades’ win against Texas. How did that feel, Beck?”
He looks ridiculously hot after a game. Sweaty, spent, and elated.
“Texas is a tough team, and we knew we had to stay focused on the X’s and O’s the whole time,” he says, calm and methodical. Nice. Beck practiced his media skills, and it’s paying off.
“And now one more question,” the reporter says. “Is there a special someone waiting on the sidelines for you?”
I flinch. What the hell? Reporters don’t usually get that personal after games.
Beck doesn’t balk. “I’m still looking for Mrs. Right,” he says, then takes a deliberate pause and adds, “Or Mister Right. But for now, I’m focusing on football.”
Whoa. That’s . . . hot.
The reporter smiles. “Thanks for your time, Beck.”
“Thank you, Eva,” he says, then walks out of the shot.
Nate’s next to me, and he whistles in appreciation. “That was ballsy. For anyone. Coming out on national TV.”
“And awesome,” I add, ridiculously proud of the guy.
Some pro athletes have been out since high school, like me. Some have come out on social, like Gunnar Ford on the Dragons. Now, Beck is part of that group, and like he often does, the guy surprised me by doing it mic-drop style.
That’s just . . . hot.
Men who know who they are turn me on.
A big hand comes down on my shoulder. “Holy shit. Dude just came out on TV. You two know him?” Xavier asks.
My jaw clenches from the implication that all the queer dudes are friends. Is this going to be a problem with Xavier?
My teammates are pretty cool. They’re used to not one but two star players being gay. But Xavier is new, and I don’t know his heart. I do know this – sometimes you need to give a guy a way to save face. I turn to Xavier and answer, deadpan: “I haven’t seen him at our queer club meetings.”
Xavier winces, but before he can answer, Devon cuts in, the rookie’s gaze locking on the star defender. “And Nate and Jason know every gay athlete in California. Is that going to be a problem for you?”
Xavier grimaces in apology. “That’s not what I meant. I just thought it was cool what he did, coming out in front of all of America on TV.” He glances from Nate back to me as if worried he’s misspoken again. “It is cool, right?”
I smile, relieved. “That was pretty awesome.”
Xavier blows out a breath. “Good. But don’t date him, okay? No dating a rival.”