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Cole’s heart sank. He’d hated being the one who was hidden, even though it had been at his insistence. He’d do it again all day every day for the rest of their lives if it meant Bryce could have kept playing with the Lightning. But it wasn’t fair to Ava to deny her. He didn’t want to put her on the outer. It wasn’t fair.
“Trav, we spoke about this. I’m not lying anymore. If I can’t come out as poly, I won’t say a single word to the media at all. Let them make up whatever they want about me if they aren’t prepared to hear the truth.”
A lump lodged in Cole’s throat. Bryce’s attitude was admirable, but what damage would it cause? How much worse would it be if he said nothing?
Travis sighed, frustration leaking into the sound. “I’m not recommending that approach, Bryce. But ultimately, it’s your life and career on the line. I can’t protect you if you don’t want to be protected.”
Ava slid her hand onto Bryce’s leg, squeezing the thick muscle there and Bryce knocked his head back against the headboard. “Urgh, yeah. I know. We’ve still got a day. I’ll have a decision to you in an hour.”
“Okay. Now if you agree to the Gold Coast offer, they’ll want a press conference with you at their headquarters first thing tomorrow. I’m booking you a flight early evening tonight.” Cole’s eyes flicked up to meet Ava’s and at his unspoken question she gave him the barest of nods.
“Book three seats,” Cole said. “Ava and I are coming.”
*****
“Why don’t you call Liam?” Ava suggested when Bryce was no closer to an answer. He’d spent the better part of the hour he’d stalled for pacing. He was antsy and anxious, and Cole hated seeing him like that. It didn’t help that they hadn’t received the written offer from the Gold Coast team yet. Their coach had reached out telling him that Rogers left big shoes to fill, but he was sure if Bryce accepted the offer, he would fit in well with the team.
“He plays for the Gold Coast, doesn’t he? He’s good people too. He’ll understand,” Cole encouraged.
Bryce nodded. “He does, yeah. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that.”
“You’ve had a lot on your mind. It’s easy to forget you’ve got people who’ll support you.”
“This happened to my cousin. You remember Levi? Same thing, and it destroyed his career. I should call him too,” Bryce mused.
Cole breathed a sigh of relief. Bryce was finally opening up and ready to talk. He hadn’t said anything to his parents or brothers yet—another call they’d have to make—but Cole couldn’t very well jump the gun and do it for him. Bryce was the centre of his story and Cole would support him in every aspect.
“Call them.” Ava handed him his phone, smiling indulgently as he rolled his eyes and pressed a kiss to her forehead. They sat down, Bryce perching on the edge of the couch, Ava sitting on the coffee table. Cole sank to the floor on their plush rug as Bryce called, putting his phone on speaker.
“Bryce, mate, how are you?” Liam greeted warmly after he picked up. Before Bryce could get a word in, he added, “Would you believe I’m at a get-together with your cousin Levi?”
Bryce chuckled and Cole blinked.
“Small world. Cool.” Bryce paused and Cole could see him struggling with what to say, how to even approach the conversation.
“You okay, mate?” Liam asked, concern lacing his voice. Noise in the background had Cole on edge. Was Liam somewhere private enough that his secret wouldn’t be shared even earlier than it was going to be?
Bryce responded, his voice filled with pain. “No. Um, I… I’ve been bumped down to the reserves again. Easts don’t want me playing professionally this season. I’m a liability.”
Cole hated that they were prepared to dispose of him so readily when he’d had a killer first season.
“What do you mean a liability?” Liam asked, sounding a mixture of confused and irritated.
“I don’t get it. You had the best rookie season I’ve seen in ages. You kicked arse.”
“Apparently the team doesn’t want bad publicity.” Bryce sighed, the sound resigned. “We’re about to be outed. I had the editor of an online newspaper email me photos. I either confirm our relationship and give them an exclusive piece, or they’ll put up an exposé.”
Clear as day, Cole heard Adelaide call out for Levi, saying, “We need you in here. We’ve got an emergency.” A moment later, she came on the phone again. “Bryce, repeat what you’ve just told us. We’ve got a room full of friends who want to help.”
Ava squeezed Bryce’s hand as he spoke, relaying the email and their conversation with the team and Travis regarding his playing future. That Travis had been able to pull off that much was great news—a testament to Bryce’s talent—but Bryce still sounded miserable, and Cole’s heart clenched painfully when he thought about what it would mean for them.
“What’s concerning you most?” King asked.
"Coming out. Being outed. I have no idea what it’s going to mean for me, or for us. I knew that I’d be in the public eye, but now I’m dragging Ava and Cole into it too, and this isn’t going to be pretty.” Bryce paused, swallowing hard. He sounded defeated when he spoke again. “My agent wants me to deny we’re a trio. He’s suggested I come out as gay, tell everyone that Ava and I aren’t really together and she’s my closest friend. They want me to be the poster boy for gay athletes, and that’d be fine… except I’m not gay. I don’t want to catfish anyone.”
Cole could hear murmurs in the background, an understanding rippling through the group of people on the other end.
Bryce continued, “Then there’s my playing career. I either move to the Gold Coast or I’m out of the NRL. I don’t know whether to chuck it in and join Ava and Cole, or to move.”
