Page 203 of Force Play
“It was never just women.”
They look at me in curiosity, and Ella speaks up. “What does that mean?”
“We all know that I slept around, but it wasn’t just women… I’m bi.”
“Shit,” Knox says in surprise. “We had no idea.”
“I was only out to a couple of people. I told Cole way back when we were still in the Huskers’ farm system, and I told Lucia last month. Accidentally came out to my mom this morning, though.”
“We never made you feel like you couldn’t come out, did we?” Harlow asks nervously.
“No, not at all,” I reply quickly. “There’s still such a stigma around it. I just wanted to be Ari Morgan, the baseball player, not Ari Morgan, the bisexual baseball player. It would become my identity, and I’m more than my sexuality.”
“The stigma around it is so stupid,” Liv states in annoyance. “My sister is a lesbian, and the amount of hate she and her wife receive is appalling.”
Rory looks on with a mischievous smile. “Did Cole know because you hit on him when you met?”
I bark out a laugh as Cole sighs. “I never hit on Cole. We just clicked when we met, and I knew I could trust him.”
“Yeah, but I’m still hot enough for him to have hit on me,” Cole smirks.
I shrug. “Yeah, you’re not too bad, Pierce.” I squeeze Lucia’s hand. “I’m good with my girl, though.”
“It seems like I need to amend my earlier statement,” Josh says. “Ari is now a one-personman.”
“Thank you for sharing that with us, Ari.” Ella’s tone is sweet and comforting.
“I’m proud of you, man,” Cole smiles.
“I’m proud of you, too, Jae-Hyun,” Lucia whispers before kissing me softly.
Not re-signing in Atlanta two and a half years ago was the best decision I’ve ever made.
The group of friends I have here is so supportive, and I now get to share my life with the most incredible woman.
I fucking love New York.
fifty-nine
Lucia
“Doesthislookokay?”I ask, flattening my palms over the flared skirt of my red dress. My girls are all helping me get ready for a date again, but this time, it’s one Iwantto go on.
“You’re literally stunning, Lucia,” Liv smiles, and I feel the warmth even through the phone screen.
“Ari isn’t going to be able to keep his hands to himself,” Rory snickers.
I smirk at her. “It’s cute that you think he ever could.”
“Luc will definitely get to ride the jewelry later,” Ella teases.
I sigh. “Do wealwaysneed to talk about my boyfriend having a pierced dick?”
Rory shrugs. “Ella always talks about dicks.”
I roll my eyes while Ella agrees with Rory.
Harlow chimes in now. “You’re so much happier about this date.”
