Page 55 of Instigator

“He’ll meet you there tonight at seven.”

I squint at her. “He already knows about this?”

I can’t believe he wouldn’t tell me he has another blind date coming up. He’s always griping about them. If he’s still interested in going on dates, it’s that much less likely he’ll be interested in spending time with me.

“Well, I still have to talk to him. But don’t worry. He’ll be there.”

Maybe this is what we need. A chance to recalibrate. If he sees me on a date, maybe he’ll finally see me as a woman and not just a gender-neutral humanoid who sometimes shares his bed platonically.

The boardroom door bangs open, and Colt rushes in, his light brown hair askew and white dress shirt rumpled. He hurries into a seat, and Heidi glares at him before calling the meeting to order.

“You okay?” I mutter to him, and his cheeks redden, but he nods.

“Long story,” he replies in an undertone. “Lunch after?”

“Definitely.”

We suffer through the meeting, speaking only when absolutely necessary lest we earn Heidi’s attention—or wrath. I give a report on the status of the helmet project, we talk through the plans for the upcoming end-of-season gala, and then talk moves on to the outreach campaigns other members are working on.

After what feels like an eternity, but in actuality is only two hours, the meeting wraps up and we’re set free. Hailey has a doctor’s appointment, so she heads across town, and Colt and I decide on the dive bar on Dalton Street with the honey-chipotle cauliflower I’m obsessed with.

“Okay, so what’s your deal?” I ask once we’re seated at the counter and Pablo has brought us drinks. “You’re never late. And never…” I wave my hand at him. He’s usually so put-together. Never rumpled or disheveled.

“I met someone,” Colt announces, then goes beet red.

“Oh? Who is she?”

He swallows loudly. “Uh, he is pretty awesome.”

I do my best to keep my surprise off my face, but I don’t think I’m successful. In over twenty years of being friends and colleagues, I’ve never known Colt to be queer. He’s always been associated publicly with women. Whether he’s finding out a new piece of himself or has simply never shared this part of his life, it’s none of my business.

I grin, trying to convey my sincerity. “That’s great. I’m so happy for you.”

“It’s still really new,” he admits, drawing a circle in the condensation left behind by his water glass. “I’ve never felt like this before. I didn’t know it could be like this.”

“Colt.” I reach for his hand, squeezing it. “That’s fantastic.”

“Yeah, well…” He looks up at me, consternation on his face. “He’s associated with the team.”

My heart stops. “Is he a player?”

If he’s hooking up with Aidan… I don’t know if I could stand it.

“No. Nothing like that.” He blows out a breath. “He’s the assistant equipment manager. And he’s out. But, uh, I’m not.”

“Is he asking you to come out before you’re ready?”

“Nothing like that. I just… I never knew this about myself. I had no clue. And now…” He bites his lip, worrying it with his teeth. “I want to give him the world. But he doesn’t want that.”

“What does he want?”

He lets out a snort. “He says he only wants me.”

“Colt, that’s⁠—”

Amazing. Wonderful. It’s the goal.

But he shakes his head. “It’s a lie. It’s got to be. Guys like him would never be interested in a nerd like me. He’s a jock.”