Page 105 of Full Split
He’s right. Ignoring the question, or shutting it down, might only make things worse. It’s better to be ready for anything.
“We are very close. We’ve known each other since childhood. He’s like a brother to me. There is no truth to those rumors. However, if there were, it wouldn’t be anyone’s business but his and mine. Rumors about what happens in someone’s private life are inappropriate and only perpetuate the idea that LGBTQ+, especially trans people, are deviants or promiscuous. I’d appreciate it if everyone here could help us all by stopping this narrative entirely.”
“Very good,” Sid says.
Before Wyatt can come up with another question, Sid jumps in with another. “And the rumors about your coach, Wyatt Lincoln?”
My face immediately gets hot. Not just because of the question, but because of the way Sid is watching me so closely. Jesus, does he know too? I swing my gaze to Wyatt, who gives me a wide-eyed look of panic and a shrug from behind Sid’s back.
“Well maybe you could start by not looking right at him, yes?” Sid says flatly.
I clear my throat. “All allegations of illegal or inappropriate relationships are simply rumors with zero proof. I’d appreciate it if we could move on and stop giving attention and weight to these unfounded claims.” It’s not an outright lie, but it’s a deflection for sure.
Sid snorts. “Clever, but your execution needs work if you want it to be believable.”
Yeah. He knows.
“Sid…”
Sid cuts Wyatt off by putting a hand up. “I don’t need to know anything. I know you both well enough to know you aren’t some kind of predator. If you were, you wouldn’t have just quit working in my gym without speaking to me first. Also, I have a strong feeling Niles was the instigator here.”
My face gets even hotter. I just shrug, because what else can I do?
“We love each other,” Wyatt says.
“I can see that, too.”
“I’m sorry we kept it a secret.”
Sid makes a face. “I’m not. For God’s sake, I don’t want to know your business. But I do want you to come back to the gym after everything has settled. We will make sure you are not part of Niles’ coaching staff in any official sense, but I need you.”
“If the truth did come out, it could affect you.”
“Yes, and that’s why I say wait until the dust settles. You aren’t just an employee, Wyatt. You are part of the heart of this business. And you know I have no children of my own. Who else will take over when I am gone, eh?”
Wyatt looks dumbstruck.
“Anyway,” Sid says, casually moving on as if he didn’t just drop an emotional bomb in the room. “Your strategy is good. But have confidence, yes?”
I nod gratefully and smile up at him when he slaps my shoulder and stands to leave.
When I look over at Wyatt, he’s still staring down at his hands, one tear slowly falling down his cheek.
I get up and go to him, sitting on my knees in front of his chair and looking up at him. Lifting my hand to his face, I rub the tear away with my thumb. His eyes meet mine.
“I didn’t know he felt that way.”
“You’ve always been a bit oblivious to the way others love you.”
Dinner that night is a weird combination of relief, nerves, and excitement. Everyone is buzzing with adrenaline, like we’re about to get on the world’s scariest rollercoaster.
The company is good, and so is the food. Weston cracks jokes, and Sid rolls his eyes. Mik tells stories about his twin niece and nephew, and all the things they do to drive their mother nuts. Turns out, Mik and Jason have a bit of a sordid love story themselves, but theirs ended up working out alright. I have a lot of hope that we’ll get there, too.
We have the acceptance, if not the support, of the people closest to us. And we have each other. That’s all that matters.
Our happily ever after is only just beginning.
When we finally split up for the night, there’s a flicker of awkwardness in Weston’s expression as he sees Wyatt take my hand to lead me down the opposite hallway. All of our rooms are scattered across the hotel and not adjoining this time. Weston plays it cool, even nudges my shoulder and says, “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” He cringes as soon as it comes out of his mouth, making all of us laugh.
