Page 35 of Against The Boards

“Why would she think that?”

She sighed. “Sometimes people think, ‘oh, she’s just doing it for the attention’ or ‘she’s too afraid to say she’s a lesbian.’ But that’s not it! I’m fucking bisexual! The gender of my current partner doesn’t define my sexuality.”

“I’m sorry.”

She shrugged but had a sad look on her face. “Sometimes I feel like I’m not accepted in the gay community either; there’s a lot of biphobia among queers, too. My mom and I have never seen eye-to-eye, but I thought she loved me unconditionally, so it really stung.”

“What about your dad?”

“He just sat there. They both have reached out a couple times since, but I have nothing to say to them. They made it clear they don’t support me.”

She looked ready to cry, and that made me angry for her. I couldn’t say I understood what she went through, but it reminded me a lot about what my parents put my sister through.

I put my coffee down on the island. “C’mere.”

“What?”

I pulled her towards me and rested her head against my chest. She leaned into my embrace while I stroked her hair. “You don’t owe them anything.”

My heart twisted when I felt tears sliding down my chest. Seeing Rox be so vulnerable in front of me told me last night had changed everything between us. Even if we both tried to deny it.

She pulled away after a few seconds and wiped her eyes. “Sorry. You know I’m the emotional twin, right?”

“Is that why TJ’s such a robot?”

We both laughed at that.

“I’m sorry, I know you didn’t ask for the crying lady in your kitchen this morning.”

“Hey, I don’t talk to my parents either.”

She gave me a look of surprise. “You don’t?”

“They’re super religious, and when my sister came out, they kicked her out. She went to live with our grandparents, but once I got drafted and shipped off to my first team, I never looked back. I might not get how you feel, but my sister sure does.”

“I didn’t know your sister was gay.”

I nodded. “Oh, yeah. She’s got the wife and kids and everything. I love Nina. Abuela introduced them.”

She smiled up at me and wiped the rest of her tears away. “I think I like your grandmother.”

“She’s awesome, but…”

When I looked away, she reached a hand up and guided my face back to her. Her soft touch against my beard was a pleasant sensation. “Hey, what is it?” she asked, and she sounded sincere.

“I hate being so far away from my family. My grandparents are getting older, and I feel bad Liliana and Nina are the ones bearing the burden. I’m considering whether I should ask for a trade to Boston.”

“Oh. You really want to play for Boston?”

I shrugged. “They’re my home team. Don’t get me wrong, I love playing for the Bulldogs, but I feel so guilty being away from my family.”

“Have you talked to your family about this?”

I gritted my teeth. “They don’t want me to ask for a trade. They think I already do too much for the family, but I feel like it’s not enough. My grandfather said he wants me to be happy, and that doesn’t mean I have to be in Boston.”

She went to say something, but then her phone beeped. “Shit, I gotta get going.”

I furrowed my brow. “Got big plans?”