Page 31 of Honkers Under the Holly

We just had to figure out how to tell it without breaking everything we’d built.

FAKING IT WAS NOT MAKING IT

“In here,” Tommy yanked us into what appeared to be a storage room, shutting out the chaos of reporters shouting questions about betrayal and scandal. His jersey was still damp with champagne and sweat, his eyes wild with the same adrenaline that had won them the game.

“Tommy, I’m so sorry, we didn’t mean—” I started, but he waved me off.

“Are you kidding? This is the most excitement we’ve had since Sir Honksalot crashed that Oktoberfest tent.” Wait. I thought he was passed out for that.

He peered out the small window. “Though the press corps are getting creative with their theories. Apparently, according to those yahoos, I’ve known about your affair for weeks and I’ve been drowning my sorrows in karaoke again.”

“This isn’t funny,” Mac said, his hand warm on my lower back. “They’re overshadowing your MVP moment. Everything you’ve worked for?—”

“Okay, options.” Tommy cut Mac off and started pacing. “We could say Sara Jayne and I already broke up because I’m leaving L.A.”

“What?” I looked at Mac, who suddenly found the floor fascinating.

“Miami’s interested,” he admitted. “Big money. Fresh start. We’ve been in talks, but...”

“But they’re super hush, hush. Violet doesn’t know yet,” Tommy finished. “And if this gets out before the deal’s done...”

“It’s dead.” Mac ran a hand through his hair. “Along with any chance of other teams offering either. Violet will know she can keep you for a song. Not to mention all the prospective clients I’ve got coming in ghosting me. They probably are already planning too anyway at this point.”

I knew what that felt like. Magda had been texting me constantly for the last hour with cancelled gigs. At least April and Crown of Curves weren’t giving up on me yet.

The weight of everything we could lose pressed against my chest. My entire career was about to be back to pre-Illustrated Sports days. Mac’s growing agency was shrinking by the second. Tommy’s carefully rebuilt image was possibly trashed.

All because people loved to gossip and loved a fall from grace even more.

“I could just tell them the truth.” Tommy stopped pacing. “That this was all fake because I’m?—”

“No.” Mac said. “I wish you could, Tom. I wish the league, the public, the world was ready. But it means the end of your career and you know it.”

I looked between the two of them. “Because you’re what?”

Tommy gave me one of those fake slugs on the arm. “Because I’m gay, babe. If I come out, no one will question that we were never together and that you being with Mac is fine by me.”

Oh. “But it’s the twenty-first century. It’s not like being gay is illegal.”

Tommy shrugged and Mac shook his head."Unfortunately, there’s a lot of bigoted people in sports. Honestly, in America.People who can’t see past their distorted values enough to understand that gay men are actual people... with feelings. The League isn’t ready. The sponsors aren’t ready. Tommy’s career would be over if he came out. No one has ever been openly gay in the League. And even at the top of his game, MV Fucking P of the Bowl, today is not the day they’ll all suddenly be okay with it."

Tommy clenched his fists and his expression went dark and angry. Something I’d never seen on him before. “Maybe it’s time someone changed that.”

“Not like this.” Mac’s voice was fierce. “Not because you’re trying to save us. We won’t let you sacrifice everything you’ve worked for.”

I took one of Tommy’s huge hands in mine. “I appreciate you trust me enough to share your true authentic self with me. And I want you to know that you’re always safe with me. But Tommy, I don’t want you to put your livelihood or even your actual safety in jeopardy.”

A sharp knock made us all jump.

“Frayzer!” a harried PR rep called through the door. “Press room. Now. Unless you want a riot on your hands.”

Tommy’s face shifted, that familiar mischievous glint returning to his eyes. “Actually, I know exactly what to do.”

“Tommy...” Mac’s warning tone made me nervous.

“Trust me.” He straightened his jersey. “Nobody’s losing anything today. Well, except maybe their dignity when they realize how wrong they got this entire story.”

“What are you going to say?” I asked, worried. I knew what it was like to be shamed and chastised just for being who I was.

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