Page 37 of The Battery
Romo had me cornered after the game. He got me alone in a conference room, sheltered by soundproof, frosted-glass walls. A table stretched between us. Romo stood there, arms crossed, an easy smile on his face. He’d been through the wringer in his personal and professional life when he officially came out during a press conference. I could never take the scrutiny of the public eye that he had gone through and still act normal. I don’t know how he did it.
So when he asked me his particular question, I wanted to drive my fist through the glass.
“Come again?” I asked, brow up.
“I said, did he break up with you or did you break up with him?” Repeating the question seemed to amuse him more, which only served to deepen my glower.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Romo shrugged his shoulders with his arms still crossed. His grin grew lopsided. He knew. He knew that I knew that he knew. The man just had to wait.
I cracked. “It wasn’t a breakup.”
“Well, it wassomethingbecause you played like crap tonight.”
“My uncle is dying, you asshole. It’s been on my mind.”
“Yeah, you told me that in confidence when you started,” he said, not missing a beat. “And I pray for him when I can. But it’s not just that. Stop hiding behind that.”
My chest lifted as if anger gave me wings. “The fuck? What right do you—”
“You told me back inMayabout your uncle. You’ve been carrying your grief like the Spartan soldier you are and it hasn’t once impacted your game. I’ve been watching you, Leo. Something was different tonight. I mean, you still killed it out there. We won. But I could tell something was off.”
“Then why the hell do you assume I had a breakup?”
“You can say his name. It’s safe with me.”
I gave him a stare that could set fire to driftwood. It just bounced off the man. “How…?”
He unfolded his arms and gestured grandly. “C’mon. Of all people? Who do you think would notice?”
I couldn’t argue that. His coming out story was one for the history books, and the upcoming winter nuptials were all over the sports tabloids. He was sharp, perceptive, amicable. He was right. Of all people who would notice, it’d be him.
“It’s not a relationship. This thing withCody,” I said. I kept eye contact. I felt shame, yes, but wouldn’t let that show.
“Does he know that?”
I opened my mouth for a rebuttal but stopped myself. After Cody’s date-night setting, clearly he thought to do something more. With a quieter voice, I said, “He does now.”
Romo nodded slowly. “Ah. You hurt his feelings. And you’re feeling guilty about it.”
I snorted and managed to crack a rueful smile. Mr. Perfect had many exceptional talents it seemed.
“You like him?” he asked. “I mean,like him, like him?”
I wasn’t answering that. “It’s irrelevant. I need to focus on the game.”
“Okay. I can understand that. Can you be friends, at least?”
Who did this guy think he was? How could he just brazenly ask personal questions without considering the consequences?
“I would like to be,” I answered genuinely. “I can see past my attraction. I don’t know if he can.”
“So tell him. Say what’s up.” He stuffed his hands into his pockets. “Look, Leo, I want my players to be at their best. Hill isdynamiteout there. And you replaced Hiroshi way, way faster than any of us anticipated. If I can help keep the status quo, I will. Do you want me to talk to him?”
“What? Fuck no. Romo, come on.” He smiled. White toothed, dimpled cheeks. Handsome fucker. “I can do it.”
“Do what? Tell him you just want to be friends?”
