Page 110 of Game Changer
“Get dressed,” he said. “We’re going out!”
* * *
The March weather was cold and damp and shitty, but Kip was so happy to be out of the apartment with Scott. They weren’t holding hands or doing anything else that would suggest that they were a couple, but just being out in the world with him felt surreal and wonderful.
Scott led them to a diner a few blocks from his apartment. They sat in a booth, grinning at each other over their menus.
“What are you getting?” Scott asked.
“It’s my birthday,” Kip said. “I’m getting a damn patty melt!”
“Good man.”
“And a milkshake.”
“That sounds amazing. What flavor?”
“Vanilla. Why mess with perfection?”
“Yup,” Scott said, closing his menu. “I’m getting the exact same thing.”
They ordered, and then Scott said, “You know... I was thinking we could maybe go somewhere this summer.”
Kip raised an eyebrow. “You were?”
“Yeah... Like, I told you I usually go away in summer, to places where I don’t usually get recognized. We wouldn’t have to worry so much,” Scott said in a hushed voice, leaning in, “about people seeing us together.”
“Right.” Kip frowned at the table. “Yeah.”
Scott started talking excitedly about some beach town in Spain or Italy he’d been to and didn’t seem to notice that Kip was starting to spiral.
I don’t want to hide our relationship anymore.
Is he even going to want me by the summer?
How long can I be in a relationship with someone in secret?
The server brought their food and Kip was grateful for the distraction.
“Man, it has beenwaytoo long since I’ve had a patty melt,” Scott said. He was so cheerful.
“It’s good,” Kip said, forcing a smile. “Thank you.”
There was no way Kip was going to let Scott take him on a luxurious vacation. Between the hockey tickets, the tuxedo, and the time spent in the penthouse, Kip had already accepted way too much from him. What could Kip possibly give him in return? An all-expenses-paid trip to some five-star incognito gay beach resort would only increase the debt Kip was keeping a running tally of.
I’d rather he just take me to a diner again. And we can split the bill.
“So where are you going tonight?” Scott asked, before taking a long pull from his vanilla shake.
“Oh, there’s this pub, in the Village—the Kingfisher. I used to go there a lot, but I don’t go out as much these days. When I do meet my friends, though, it’s usually there.”
“Is it, like...agaybar?” Scott asked in a low voice.
Kip laughed a little. “Yeah. It’s very much like a gay bar. But it’s chill. It’s just a pub with cute bartenders.”
“You’re meeting some friends there, you said?”
“Yeah, Elena. I asked Maria from work. And then some friends from college.” He leaned in with a playful smile and whispered, “Somegayfriends.”
