Page 153 of Hiding in the Outfield

“Have you decided on what you want to do?” Liam asks. “Chuck said you’ve discussed the pros and cons of coming out or letting it happen when it happens.”

Chuck’s attention falls on me. “We can go over them again here with everyone if you’d like.”

I shake my head. We did discuss it earlier. Chuck made some great points for both. If we come out upfront, we get to control the narrative. We don’t have any say in how we’re outed if we leave it up to the paparazzi and media.

If we wait, there will be added anxiety around when the shoe will drop. Who knows how it’ll happen and what the media will come up with.

But once the world knows…that’s all I’ll be.

A gay Major League ballplayer. My talent as a ballplayer, anything I accomplish this year—will all come second to my sexual orientation.

I rest my hand on Frankie’s, and he instantly laces our fingers. “I want things to remain private. I just want to be Jackson Olander, center fielder for the BDE for as long as I’m able. I have a lot to prove to this organization and the fans. I’m…overwhelmed by the reception I’ve had, the support from you all and my teammates. I want to show you that you made the right decision acquiring me.”

Kat smiles. “That catch you made last night was all the proof I needed. Though today’s home run didn’t hurt either.”

My cheeks warm. “Thank you, ma’am.” I look at Frankie and clear my throat. “However, we don’t plan to hide. I’ve done enough hiding.” I look back at everyone across the table.

Liam smiles softly at me. “Understood. Unfortunately, privacy is a rare commodity for a professional athlete. And this is something the buzzards will feast on. We’ll prepare a statement that can be released immediately when the media finds out. It’ll go through you for approval. Then it will sit in your file, ready.”

“I suppose it’s good I live on the other side of the country.” Frankie’s words are light with a joke that doesn’t hit. “There will be nothing juicy for the media to sink its teeth into.”

Sympathy reflects back at me from across the table. My gaze falls, and I bite my cheek, but I nod. I hadn’t thought there were any positives, but I guess there is one.

Liam’s throat-clearing slices through the awkward cloud that just settled over the room. “We also need to discuss what happens once the world finds out. There are a lot of ways we can go about this. We can do nothing and keep things as private as possible. Or we can run with it—interviews, appearances, photoshoots.” He glances between Frankie and me. “Jackson alone and the both of you. A full media push.”

Layla glances at Kat quickly before focusing on me. “We hold a Pride night in June, like most teams, but I think we should add more throughout the year. We want the world to know we support you more than just in June. Something where the focus can be as much or as little on you as you’re comfortable with.”

“I love that, Layla,” Kat says. “Definitely get that rolling.”

“So…” Frankie says. There’s something in his tone that gives me the feeling he’s about to say something very Frankie-esque. “Liam, love. You said something about photoshoots.”

Oh dear.

Chuck laughs softly next to me.

Liam lights up. “Yes! I guarantee magazines, especially queer-focused ones, would love a spread with the both of you. It sends a message of pride, allows you to tell a bit of your story—own it, and inspire others.”

“Not to mention, you’d both make for a beautiful spread,” Layla adds. “Frankie, you already have the face of a model.”

Frankie’s hand shoots to his heart. “I love you.” He turns to me. “I love her.”

I can’t stop my grin. If that’s what my man wants, that’s what he gets. “Nobody puts Frankie in the corner,” I whisper. His expression goes soft.

I clear my throat and look back at Liam and Layla. “Photoshoots and interviews it is.”

Layla claps excitedly. “Perfect. I’ll start curating a list. We’ll be ready to get this shopped around the moment it hits. The media will think they caught you, but little will they know, we’ve been ahead of them the whole time.”

“I’ll send you an email,” Chuck says to Layla and Liam. “I have some thoughts on this too.”

Looks like I’m in capable hands. I sit back in my chair and take the first full breath my body’s allowed since I got the news of the trade.

I close the hotel door quietly behind me. The lightness I’d felt immediately after the PR meeting is gone now. Now everything’s constricting, a snake’s wrapping itself around me.

Torso. Chest. Neck.

Squeeze.

Frankie turns, and the minute his stare lands on my face, his falls. He’s in front of me in two strides, fingers sliding up my jaw and sifting into my hair. “Hey. Breathe.”