Page 64 of Side Out

“Jesus christ,” Coach groans.

Suddenly it dawns on me that I haven’t even told Emerson I’m married, let alone the fact that I’m probably moving out since it would make literally zero sense for Theo to move into our house.

Great. Add that to the never-ending list of things we need to do.

And because now is clearly not the time to figure all that out, I simply smile and say, “Okay.”

Theo nods at Coach Taylor before heading for the door, but as he begins to open it, the deep voice on the other side of the desk stops him in his tracks. “If you boys are happy then I’m happy for you. But Young…”

“Yeah, Coach?” Theo asks.

“Hurt my boy again, and you’ll have me in the line of people you’ll have to deal with.”

This time my eyes practically pop out of my head. There’s no hiding my surprise. But I should have known Coach noticed there was more going on with me last year than just a hurt leg. He sees everything.

I look between the two of them only to find Theo simply nodding in understanding, a small smile crawling across his face. “I won’t, Sir. But even if I did, I’d gladly welcome the invitation.”

And even though he’s not looking at me, I smile softly at Theo before he walks out the door. Not more than a few seconds later Austin comes walking in. Coach gestures to the open seat next to me and spins his laptop around on his desk. “Alright, boys. Let’s start with some of your serve receives.”

CHAPTER40

HONEY, I’M HOME.

JACKSON

I’m barely out of the sports complex before my phone starts ringing in my pocket. I reach in and hit accept without even thinking to look at who it is. However, it doesn’t take me long to figure it out because not more than half a second later Emerson’s voice is yelling through my headphones, “YOU GOT FUCKING MARRIED?”

Well that solves the problem of me having to tell him.

“Wait, that’s why we’re calling him?”Clay?“Actually, double wait, YOU GOT MARRIED AND I WASN’T THERE TO BE YOUR BEST MAN?”

?*“Who the hell says you’d be the best man?” Emerson asks.

Clay barks back, “Oh shove it, Emmy. We all know I’d be Jackson’s best man. You’re just jealous he loves me the most.”

“Who got married?” Rocky’s voice echoes in the background.

“Oh hold on, the twins are calling,” Emerson says. “Let me patch them in.”

“Oh my god, please don’t?—”

“Hey, what’s going on?” Emerson asks. “Oh, hey, Clay!”

“Hey, bud,” Clay answers. “Hey, Bry.”

“Sup, Clay. What’s happening? Why are we?—”

“WAIT!”Clay shouts. “Who in the flying fuck did you get married to?”

“The athletic trainer,” Emerson says. “The one with the blond hair and?—”

“Young?” Clay instantly sounds perturbed. “You got married to Theodore Young?”

“You married a guy?!” Bryson asks. “Ouch! What the hell was that for?”

“You can’t ask it like that,” Grayson scolds. “But also, like… you married a guy?”

“Who cares if he married a guy, HE DIDN’T TELL ANY OF US.”I genuinely think Emerson might pop one of my ear drums.

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