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“Jordan is. You guys should meet up and go together,” I offer, way too chipper.
Jordan looks at me completely unamused. “You’re going.”
“I hate you.” I lift my glass and finish off my drink. “You have someone to go with. Why are you harassing me?”
“I have no problem going by myself, but you are not going to hole up in your apartment and mope because the boyfriend is out of town.”
I roll my eyes, and Brit snickers, much like Aaron does. He’s around a lot, having become Asher’s new best friend. They roughhouse like teenagers, and while it’s hilarious, it’s also expensive since they crash into shit regularly.
We’re down to the last two minutes of the game, we have the ball and are down by three points. We need a touchdown to win, field goal to tie and go into overtime. Everyone in the box is leaning forward to watch the game, on edge. Thomas drops back and throws the ball downfield in a Hail Mary pass. Everyone is on their feet, watching it fall right into Asher’s hands. The stands erupt in screams as he races for it and crosses into the end zone. The cheers are deafening as we scream and celebrate the win, everyone hugging each other and high-fiving as they set up for the extra point and pull ahead by four points.
My face already hurts from smiling so much, and my heart is pounding as adrenaline and excitement course through me. I’m jittery, hands shaking and my stomach fluttering as I watch the other team receive the ball and the clock run down to zero. The families start gathering their things and clearing out. All smiles and happy conversations. I hang back and wait to see if Asher is interviewed. I don’t have to wait long.
Becca Walker, the local journalist who interviews players, shows up onscreen with a sweaty-faced Asher towering over her. Her long blonde hair is hanging down her back, the tips fluttering in the wind. She’s so put together in her blue slacks and cream silk shirt.
“This was a tough game. What was the most important part of this game that you guys had to master?”
Asher is breathing heavy, chugging water before he answers. “The mental game. This was a team win. It took all of us staying focused and not letting falling behind get to us.”
“You’ve had a difficult summer. How do you think that has affected your game tonight?” She shoves the mic back in his face, and a look comes over him as he stares in the camera. Unease squeezes my stomach as he answers the question.Don’t you dare . . .
“My boyfriend was key. I was able to focus, process, and grieve thanks to him being by my side and loving me through the hard times.”
There’s a buzzing in my ears, and I’m pretty sure the entire stadium has fallen silent.I can’t believe he just said that.There are too many thoughts in my head to focus on any one specifically, but he’s out. Officially out.
Becca looks momentarily stunned, staring at him.
“Thank you, that’ll be all,” Asher says with a big smile and jogs away from her toward the locker room.
I’m going to kill him. What the fuck? That wasn’t the plan.
Someone has their arms around me in a hug. I blink a few times and realize it’s Jordan.
“You good, man?” Brit asks with a hand on my arm.
“I-I,” I start but close my eyes and take a deep breath. “I don’t know.”
“He loves you,” Jordan says with her chin on my shoulder. “Enjoy it. It’s going to be okay.”
The wives and girlfriends give me hugs and high-fives, saying goodbye and telling me not to worry about the haters that will pop up.
I don’t know what to think or how to feel right now. Am I excited for the secret to be out? Sure. I hate hiding, but what will the backlash be?
CHAPTERTHIRTY-TWO
Asher
I’m still buzzing when I exit the locker room, showered and dressed in a damn suit an hour later. Will Eli be pissed? I didn’t name him, but it will take about two-point-five seconds for the media to connect the dots. He’s probably freaking out, his anxiety making him overthink it and find every bad scenario possible.
Aaron walks out with me since he’s meeting with Brit for a post-game dinner. We find Eli, Brit, and Jordan standing together at the end of the hallway we use to enter the building from the parking lot.
Eli has his back to me, and I run up behind him and wrap him in my arms. He gives a startled shriek that I love and slaps at my arm.
“Ass,” he huffs under his breath while Brit and Jordan laugh.
“Hi, baby,” I say into his ear, his back pressed against my chest.
“You’re a dick.”
