Page 169 of Studs Up
I was tense, and my blood raced, but Nolan was cool and calm. He had his arm draped on the back of my chair, his fingers making soft circles on my shoulder.
It was like ripping off a bandaid to just get it over with. Next time we could go out just us and we wouldn’t be as noticed as we were now.
We got through it, and then he drove me home with my plants and belongings, and we made our home in the cabin.
I had done it. I went on a public date with the man I loved, and the world didn’t end. I suppose dreams do come true.
…
It was decided, mainly by Frank and me, that Nolan shouldn’t walk into the stadium with me. Many other guys would walk in with their families and significant others. Hardcore fans and photographers would be there taking pictures and looking for autographs.
This being such a new revelation and a bit of a touchy subject, I walked in with Alex, and Nolan was snuck in around the back by Frank. He was given a suite with Charlemagne’s girlfriend Sophie, and a few of the families. I had no idea how that would work for them, but I would have to find out later.
Morales came and found me on the pitch at warm ups.
“Hey, you okay?” He was concerned. “Tried to call, but your phone was off.”
“Yeah, we’re okay,” I said. There was still so much to wade through. “Nolan turned it off and refused to give it to me. He didn’t want me to get on the internet and see the reactions before the game.”
“That was probably smart,” he said. “It’s hard not to go down the bullshit rabbit hole even if it’s overwhelmingly positive.”
“Is it?” I asked nervously. “Overwhelmingly positive?”
“You’re gonna have an awesome time in the off season reading through all the posts from women deeply disappointed that you are with Reed. And oh boy, the gays are thrilled but also bummed you’re taken.”
I flushed. I hadn’t thought that much about anything beyond the negative reactions. Hearing it wasn’t so bad made me ready to find out.
“Look,” he squared off to me. “I just wanted you to know I am actually sorry about what happened, that was some serious bullshit, and I can’t even imagine what you were going through. I say that now because I’m not sure you’d believe me after I kick your ass tonight.”
“Thanks, Morales,” I said and held out my hand. He shook it without hesitation.
“Reed, really?” He cocked his head.
“Yeah, really.”
“Fucking crazy, man.” Morales dropped my hand and turned around, muttering as he returned to his team.
The game was a fucking battle to the bitter end but I put a header into the corner of the net, and then it was over.
Nolan
Sophie was a spitfire and I could see why Charlemagne was smitten with her. She didn’t take no shit, and she was just as much of a screamer in the suite as I was.
I was going to tell Charlemagne to marry that woman for no other reason than I liked her.
“Which one is yours?”
“Nine,” I said.
“Ah,” she scanned the field to find Holden hanging out at the halfway line, waiting to beat Morales. “He is charming.” She had a thick French accent.
“He looks better naked.”
She smiled with a seductive grin. “I bet he does. Charlemagne told me all about you. He said you are an adorable asshole.”
“Adorable is subjective, I guess. Asshole is right on the money.”
She laughed. “My Charlemagne is always trying to find the positives. I suppose adorable is the best he could do for you.”
