Page 154 of Game Changer
“Ah,” Carter said, putting his fork down. “Tired of keeping your girl a secret?”
“Sort of,” Scott said with a grimace.
“Sure, it was maybe getting a little old, the sneaking around. Sexy, for a while, but you can’t keep love down.”
“Love, huh?”
Carter shrugged. “I’m not ashamed.”
“Glad to hear it. I guess that... Yeah. Love. It’s a whole big thing, huh?”
“You can’t cage it, Scott. You gotta let it loose for the world to see.”
“Right.”
“Listen,” Carter said. “Why don’t we do a double date or something next time Gloria’s in town? You could ease into it, you know? We’ll go somewhere low-key, if you want.”
“Maybe,” Scott said, knowing there was no way. Was there?
“What are you worried about? It’s really not a big deal. You think she can’t handle a few cameras?”
“I’m just a private person. Or, as private as I can be, anyway.”
“Well, it wouldn’t hurt for you to be seen withsomeone. Otherwise they’re gonna start saying you’re gay!” Carter laughed. Scott didn’t.
“Jesus, Scott. Lighten up. No one is saying that. Relax.”
Scott stood. “I’m gonna—” he said, making a vague gesture toward the elevators. He retreated to the privacy of his hotel room.
* * *
Back in his room, Scott made a list on the hotel stationery of what he stood to lose if he made his announcement.
Money, respect, endorsements, fan support, friendships, privacy, and, in a worst-case scenario, his career.
He made a list of what he stood to lose if hedidn’tmake the announcement.
His sanity, his self-respect, Kip.
Kip.
When he put the two lists next to each other, it was no choice at all. Especially when he reasoned that the items in the first list were things that he wouldn’t necessarily lose. The three items in the second list he woulddefinitelylose.
Okay then.
Where to start? He’d said he wouldn’t do anything until the playoffs were over, but now that he’d made his decision, that seemed like an eternity away.
He needed to do something now. Even if it was only going partway. He couldn’t stand pretending Kip didn’t exist, and he couldn’t keep letting his friends believe he was dating a fictional woman. Enough.
He gathered his courage, and sent out some texts.
* * *
Twenty minutes later, Scott was joined in his hotel room by his three best friends. Bennett was the last to arrive.
“All right,” Carter said with a raised eyebrow, “we’re all here. What’s up, Scott?”
“Um,” Scott said, “why don’t you have a seat?” He gestured toward the beds, where Huff was already sitting. Bennett and Carter joined him. They all watched Scott, waiting.
