Paul claps his hands. “Alright, what are we drinking? I’ll sneak you two a free round, but it’s well drinks only. None of that luxurious top-shelf shit you’re used to. Carter, at least.”
He slides over two vodka sodas with a grin.
Then he looks directly at me and says, “So, I can’t believe Charlie Dodds is coming here.”
“He’s extremely cute. Do you think he’s single? Do you think he’d be into me?” Paul asks, not even pretending to hide his excitement.
I glance at him, amused. “Oh, Paul. This has nothing to do with you. We’re here to meet. I’m gonna tell him I’m gay. I’m gonna introduce him to my boyfriend. And then, we’ll see where it goes.”
Paul dramatically gasps. “Don’t lie to yourself, it’s always about me. And I will get in his pants. Mark my words. I need that football player butt ASAP.”
Ten minutes later, Charlie strolls in like, with such confidence. Long blond hair, striking blue eyes, Abercrombie face, and a body like a wide receiver; tall, lean, and cut.
He spots us by the bar. Paul smiles widely, but Charlie barely glances at him, expression unreadable.
Paul jumps in first. “Hi, cutie. What are you having?”
“Bud Light. Thanks,” Charlie says, flatly. No follow-up. No smile. Nothing.
He turns to me, then does a double take when he sees Nate beside me. “Who are you?” Charlie asks.
Nate freezes. “I—I, um…I’m Nate. I’m a friend of Carter’s.”
I lean over and kiss Nate on the cheek, hoping to ease the awkwardness. Charlie definitely notices. His face shifts with surprise, then curiosity.
“Oh,” he says. “So, you’re part of the club. I had a feeling. I mean, you were texting me all those years ago. I know it could’ve just been a fanboy thing. Or maybe it was because I came out, and you were curious what that was like.”
“It was more the second one,” I admit with a small smile. “I wanted to ask how it went, because honestly, I think I was jealous. I am jealous now.”
Paul jumps in, loud as ever. “Just come out already, dude. No one’s gonna care.”
Charlie shoots him a glare, and Paul gets the message, mumbling something and walking off to pour a drink for someone else.
Charlie turns back to me. “Who is that guy? Is he your friend or just an annoying bartender?”
“He’s harmless,” I say, laughing. “Annoying, sure, but Paul’s a good guy. He is just a lot sometimes.”
Charlie smirks, then gets serious again. “I was planning to come out on my own terms, but that didn’t happen. Got caught kissing my secret boyfriend in an alley. Some creep took a photo. Like, who does that?”
I glance at Nate, who’s gently rubbing my back. He can feel how tense I am.
Charlie shrugs. “Being out’s been easier than I expected, honestly. Yeah, there are douchebags on social media, but not many in the league. My team in Chicago? Mostly great. There were a few ass holes on the team, but keeping to myself helped.”
He pauses, then adds, “I’m single as fuck, though. Not looking. If I could do it again, I’d come out on my own timeline, just to prepare.”
“That’s literally what I’ve been thinking,” I say quickly. “It’s not even about making an announcement. I just want to be myself. Maybe if I weren’t constantly on edge, my football performance would improve. I could focus and be more consistent.”
Charlie tilts his head, studying me. “Is that why you played like shit last week?”
I blink.
“You played against the Chicago Avalanche, my team. We beat you by twenty. I watched most of it, and you looked nervous. Your cuts were off. You got tackled at the line frequently. Dropped passes.”
I nod, embarrassed. “It wasn’t my best game. I only had 40 yards, total. I think I was just in my head. I knew I’d be seeing you. Don’t ask me why, but coming out to you, or anyone, is nerve-wracking as fuck.”
Charlie gives me a sympathetic nod. “It happens to all of us, but nothing to be nervous about. I’ve been there. I’m here for you now, and I will be there for you later, if you need me.”
I look at Charlie and smile.
