Page 63 of Hidden Plays
“I guess I get that.” Grabbing my chin, he turned my face to his. “I just wish you and Cooper could reconcile and be friends again, like you were before this nonsense with Myles.” His grin returned. “Then we could all go to the gay bar together.”
I scoffed, freeing from his hold. “I’m not going to the gay bar.” Not this again. Getting them to leave me alone about that was the reason I’d gotten together with Holden in the first place, though.
“Okay. To each his own.” He released a long sigh and focused on me. Jabbing a finger into my thigh, he said, “You have to tell me what the hell happened at the gay bar though. He kissed you?”
With a sharp laugh, I said, “He did. Right after the shot-boy kissed him.” The night had been so surreal, but all the strange things that happened made sense now. He had been questioning himself, but not accepting it, while I had been doing the same, but differently.
“You should watch out for the shot boys. They can be so flirtatious.” He raked his teeth over his lower lip. “But make for a good hookup if luck is on your side.”
“Casey.” I mock-glared at him. Of course he’d hooked up with the shot boys at the club. “Is there anyone you wouldn’t hook up with?”
Tapping his finger on his chin, he looked toward the ceiling for a beat. “Nope. Don’t think so.”
The next morning at practice,I walked onto the field behind Casey and Cooper, all suited up and ready for drills. The next evening, we were playing Stanford, and the coaches were all fired up about it. They were a hard team to beat this year, so we had new plays to run through.
Holden stood on the sideline by himself, frowning at his phone.
I stepped to him, leaving the surrounding guys, my discussion with Casey echoing in my head. I could talk to Holden without the team seeing our feelings for each other, couldn’t I? I bumped Holden’s side. “Hey, what’s up?” I glanced at his phone. There were text messages from Noel. His brother?
“Oh, my brother’s decided tonight would be a good night to meet for drinks. But I kinda wanted to have dinner with you.” He scowled. “He wants to meet at the Yucca Tap Room.” With a peek at me, he said, “He wants to stay and watch some metal band, but I can’t stay out that late. We have a game tomorrow.”
My brow hooked. “Do you like metal bands?” If he did, it was something I didn’t know about him.
“They’re all right. This one does Scorpions’ covers.” He shifted his weight, glancing at the field. “If he doesn’t show, I’ll end up sitting alone while I could have been with you.”
“I have an idea.” I shifted my helmet from my right hand to my left. “If he doesn’t show, call me and I’ll meet you there. I owe you for making you go to the gay bar and Postino’s with me.” I flashed him my best smile. “We can leave early and be home in my bed by eleven.” How could he turn it down? And it might be a fun evening.
He studied me. “If he shows, I’m still leaving early and goinghome to your bed. How’s that?” His gaze fell on my lips, and he blinked. “Shit, I almost kissed you.”
“Don’t do that. Not here.” My chest expanded with warmth. He was so deep in, he couldn’t stay away from me.
“Okay, you’ve got a deal.”
Coach Barlow waved at me. “Matthews, quit lollygagging and get your ass down here.”
“Coming, Coach.” Placing my helmet over my head, I jogged to him and the other offensive line players.
That afternoon,while others were gone, my phone rang during my study session at the dinette. I peered at it, the screen readingHenry Cowden.“Fuck.” This was it. The agent my uncle had told me about. Leaning back in my chair, I tapped the screen. “Hello?”
“Jordan Matthews?” he asked.
“Yes, this is him.” A smile tugged at my lips. Things were happening.
“This is Henry Cowden, an agent for the NFL. I’ve been in contact with your uncle, Brian?” He drew in a breath.
“Yeah, he told me.” I planted my elbows on the table. “He thinks you’re one of the best.” I winced. Should I have said that?
“Thank you. I’ve been following your career at ASU, and I think you’ll be one of the best wide receivers in the draft this year.” He chuckled. “I guess it’s no surprise that I’d like to sign you.”
“Nope, no surprise. My uncle filled me in. You understand my situation, right?” My pulse sped up, and my throat went dry. Brian had said he had a gay son. Were they close, unlike Dad and me?
“I do. My son is gay, so I’ve seen some things. I don’t have any problems with it, and I’ll be sure any contract you sign gives you the protections you’ll need.” He paused. “My son playsminor league baseball. He’s keeping his private life private for now. What you decide is up to you.”
Damn, he really understood. Uncle Brian knew exactly the agent I’d need. “I plan on being out. I am now, so I don’t see how we could hide it at this point. Plus, I don’t want to.” I was so done with that shit. I scanned the empty main room, the gaming controllers on the coffee table. When would the guys pile through the door?
“I’d like to start working with you and have a contact drawn up we can review. Did you want me to allow your uncle to review it as well?”
“I do.” Mom and Dad wouldn’t know what to do with it. My pulse slowed. “If he reviews it and gives it his blessing, I’ll be good with it.”
