Page 70 of Scoring Zone
He steps back, and I dig deep to find the box I keep locked inside me and fling it open as I hit the bag.
My mind wants to go blank, but I sit with all the things I’ve kept pent up. My throat gets tight, and I’m burning up from the release I’ve never allowed myself.
I yell at the top of my lungs and punch with all my might, pouring out my anguish until I’m ready to collapse.
“I hate that I got to live our dream and you didn’t.” The gloves thump his back as my arms wrap around him. His familiar smell immediately slows my heart rate.
“I know.” He holds the back of my head and hugs me to him. “The dream had to change, but we’re still together, and look at us now. Neither of us would’ve predicted this.”
“Teenage Austin would’ve run far, far away from you. He was a coward.” I wipe my cheek on his shirt.
“Nope. You did the best you could, and so did I. Trying to rewrite the past will only drive us crazy. Now we’re a team. You and me.”
“Forever.” I let go to kiss him.
“Forever,” he agrees.
Chapter 30
Grayson
The forced smile I flash Austin is meant to be encouraging. We’re sitting on opposite sides of the couch, and he’s mentally psyching himself up to make the call.
“You can wait. There’s no rush,” I say for the billionth time.
“I won’t hide you. You mean everything to me.” He inhales for five seconds, holds his breath, then lets it out. “I’m fully aware that my parents won’t approve, but they deserve the truth. It’ll be worse if they’re blindsided. This way, they can seek refuge in the church before it becomes public.” He tries to smile but gives up.
Reaching across the cushion, I hold my hand out for him to take. “We’re in this together. No matter what, I’m here.”
He squeezes my hand and hits his dad’s cell number. It rings a few times and goes to voicemail.
“Hey Dad, hoping to catch up. Call me when you get this.” He hangs up and runs a hand through his short blond hair. “Of course, now I have to wait. Ugh.”
His phone rings, and he jumps, fumbling it so it lands on the floor.
I pick it up. “It’s him,” I say, placing it in his palm.
Austin clears his throat and answers. “Hey, Dad.”
“Austin, great to hear from you. I heard the team is doing well this season.” His dad’s voice booms from the speaker, and I rein in my irritation. Most fathers would watch their son’s games or at least follow the highlights. Austin’s sister, Lori, keeps his parents informed.
They make small talk for a few minutes, and anxiety slithers over Austin’s face. I shift next to him so our legs touch and grip his knee.
“Dad, will you grab Mom? Gotta to talk to you guys about something.”
“Sure.” He calls for Austin’s mom.
Austin’s hand clutches mine on his knee.
“Hi, sweetie.” His mom joins the call.
“What’s going on?” His dad’s voice is tense.
Austin’s terrified eyes lock on mine. “Mom, Dad, I recently realized that I’m bisexual.”
I throw my arm around him as his eyes close, anticipating the censure. He’s shaking but leans into me.
His mom and dad speak at the same time.
