Page 43 of Fate in Motion
One of them points at us, wide-eyed. “I know who you two are.”
My stomach drops. My face instantly flushes; I feel caught. Exposed. Like they can immediately sense the gay in me.
Before I can even react, the guy whips out his phone. “Can I get a picture with both of you?”
I freeze
I glance at Nate, who’s still watching me like he’s ready to step in if needed. I reach under the table and rest my hand on his knee, giving it a gentle squeeze.
“Thanks,” I whisper. I glance at Nate and mouth,I’m good.
In my head? I’m freaking out.
But I know this needs to happen. And realistically, these two guys probably don’t know anything. Probably just fans who want a simple picture.
The one with the phone steps forward and, without asking, hands it to Nate. Nate steps back a few feet, ready to take the photo, and that’s when both redheads move in, one pressing in on my left, the other on Charlie’s right.
We’re suddenly shoulder to shoulder, squeezed tight like we’re posing for a team photo.
Charlie leans over and mutters with a tight smile, “Can this end already? Sometimes being even remotely famous is exhausting.”
Nate quickly snaps the photo and hands the phone back. Both guys glance at me, then at Charlie.
“So…why are you two here anyway?” one says.
I freeze. Stammer. “Uh…we’re just, um…”
Charlie cuts in smoothly. “Old friends. Catching up. And I think it’s time for you two to bounce.”
Blunt. Sharp. Exactly what I needed but didn’t have the guts to say.
The two guys look slightly taken aback but don’t argue. They shuffle off with awkward grins and a few mumbled words.
Once they’re gone, Nate looks over at me, then glances at Paul from across the bar and raises a single finger. One more drink.
Paul, ever the attentive bartender, appears like magic with four fresh drinks; one for each of us and one for himself. We all knock them back in unison, the burn washing down the tension like it never existed.
Once Paul bounces again, Charlie turns to me. “You okay?”
I shrug. “I think so. They probably didn’t even think anything. Just fanboys meeting their gay icon.” He grins and points at himself.
Nate lets out a small laugh, which makes me feel just a bit lighter.
“You’re right,” I say. “I just…I don’t know. I always feel like if people do find out, they’re judging me. Even if they’re not. It’s like I can’t stop assuming the worst in people.”
Charlie nods, more serious now. “I get it. It takes time to accept yourself fully. I didn’t magically feel proud the moment I came out. It took a while. Some days I still stress about it.”
He leans forward, his voice steady but kind. “But if I can give you one piece of advice? Remember who matters. Not the public. Not the league. Not even your teammates, if they don’t have your back. The people who matter are your friends and your family. The rest are just background noise.”
He pauses, then looks from me to Nate. “And you’ve got a great man. Nate’s awesome; he’s hot, he’s sweet, and clearly he adores you. So, whenever the time comes, you’ve got him to fall back on. You’re not doing this alone.”
I say nothing at first. Just stare down at my almost empty glass, feeling the warmth in my chest that has nothing to do with alcohol.
He’s right.
We’ve been at the bar for three hours now, and it’s already past six. I must look completely drained, because Charlie glances at me and says, “Alright, I think it’s about time I head out. I’vegot to meet with the Hawks on Monday. I need to be in tip-top shape for all the drills they will inevitably throw at me.”
He stands and stretches a little, flashing a relaxed smile. “Don’t be a stranger, guys. Maybe I’ll be your teammate next year. Do me a solid: make the playoffs, kick ass, and win the Super Bowl.”
