Chapter 22 #2
Betsy checked the oven. “Will? We’re all in the family room.” As a smile swept across her face, she sauntered into the front room. “Travis, come and greet your brother.”
“Ugh.” With a roll of his eyes, Tex set his mug on the coffee table and stood. “Come on, it’s time for you to meet Will in person. Don’t listen to most of what he says. He likes to tease me, especially when I have a boyfriend around.” He threaded his hand in mine and led me past the kitchen.
Will strolled toward us carrying bags of presents, his smile growing wider as he focused on us.
He was two inches shorter than Tex and probably one-hundred pounds lighter, but had similar blue eyes and blond hair.
“Little bro, you’ve gotten even bigger since the last time I saw you, damn.
What is Colton feeding you?” He side-hugged Tex, patting his back, and then turned his attention on me.
“Colton, I’m so glad someone thought he was worth having. ” He held his arm out. “Hug?”
“Sure.” With a soft giggle, I side-hugged Will and glanced at Tex, shaking his head with a smirk and planting his hands on his hips. I said, “And for the record, your brother is the most amazing man I’ve ever met.”
“Oh, honey.” Betsy, holding a few of Will’s presents, touched my arm. “That’s so sweet.”
“I see you’ve got him well trained.” Barking a laugh, Will pushed on Tex’s shoulder. “Now, what are we drinking? I have the day off.”
“We were having Mexican hot chocolate. Would you like me to make you one?” I stepped next to Tex, and he hooked an arm around my waist. His brother seemed like a funny guy. I could tell through the teasing, he really loved Tex.
“Hell yes.” Will set an elbow on my shoulder and leaned in close. “Make mine a little stronger though, huh? I have to catch up with you guys.”
“You’ve got it.” With a glance at Tex and then his mother, I strode into the kitchen. We’d left all the ingredients on the counter, so it would be easy to make more, and Tex and his family had waited on me all day. “Does anyone else want one? Betsy?”
“I’d love one, dear.” She strolled into the room with her boys and set Will’s presents under the tree.
After the Christmas Eve meal, most of us sat on the couch around the tree with eggnog and brandy in clear mugs, while Will sat beside the tree to hand out presents.
It almost felt like I was in a Hallmark Christmas movie with how perfect the day had gone.
Tex and Will’s witty exchanges made me laugh more than a few times.
How different would my life have been if I’d had a brother?
I wasn’t sure Tex understood how lucky he was.
Betsy turned on Christmas music and a burning yule log on the television before sitting next to John.
Will handed the presents out one by one, and each person opened them.
Tex had purchased presents for his family from both of us to make things easy.
Toward the end, Will picked up a medium-sized box and handed it to me.
“Uh-oh, Colton. I wonder what’s in there?
It’s from my brother.” As he shook the box by his head, Tex hopped from the couch and seized it from him.
“Give me that. What’s the matter with you?” Shaking his head, he scoffed a laugh.
“What? I had to.” Will snickered and sipped his eggnog.
I hadn’t seen this box in his luggage. He’d likely hid it or wrapped the present during my shower time. I spied my present to him, still resting under the tree in a decorative bag. I hadn’t spent too much, but it was something I hoped would mean a lot to him.
As Tex handed me the present, he said, “Here you go, babe. I hope you like it.” He returned to my side, and everyone watched me.
“Um, thanks.” I tore the wrapping paper off the box and slowly lifted the lid. A maroon and gold jersey rested inside. “Oh, my God.” As a smile swept across my face, I lifted the jersey. It had his name on the back and his number. “Tex, you didn’t.”
“I did. It’s an older one, so it’s smaller. But I want you to wear it for the Sun Bowl game when you come to it with your dad.”
“What?” I stared at him. What had he done?
“On New Year’s Eve, I arranged for you and your dad to fly into El Paso to see the Sun Bowl. I didn’t want you to go alone, and I tried Evan, but he’s got a game that night.” Lifting his chin, his eyes twinkled. “Your dad is very excited.”
“When the hell did you do this?” My dad had been to a few PFLAG meetings since I came out to him, but I didn’t know he’d been talking with Tex. He hadn’t said a word to me when I’d spoken with him or when he’d joined my therapy sessions. I held the jersey to my chest.
“Last week, but it was a surprise. I hope you don’t mind that I had to get his number from your phone.” As his cheeks flashed pink, he held up his hand. “I swear I didn’t look at anything else.”
“I trust you, Tex.” Throwing my arms around his neck, I planted a hard kiss on his lips. There was nothing on my phone he couldn’t see, anyway. There were no secrets between us. “Thank you.”
“That’ll be a good game. It should be close.” John beamed at us and then drank some eggnog.
“I think it’ll be a wonderful bonding experience for you and your dad.” Tex straightened as I freed him.
“You’re lucky, Colton. He never invites me to any of his games.” With a tick of his head, Will sniggered and peered into his empty eggnog mug.
“You’re always working on the weekends.” Tex rolled his eyes.
“Okay, boys. You behave. I think we’ve still got Colton’s present for Tex to hand out.” Betsy gave Will a pointed look.
With a tut, Will picked up my bag and handed it to Tex. “Here you go. Note—I didn’t shake it.”
My heart pattered against my rib cage. I hoped he liked what I’d gotten him. It wasn’t as extravagant as what he’d given me.
“Thanks.” Flashing a coy smile at me, Tex lifted the red and green-colored paper from the bag and then held up my gift card. “What’s this?” He turned it in his hands. “A gift card for the Varsity Tavern?” His smile stretched to his eyes.
“Yeah, I thought we could catch a hockey game or whatever you want. I looked it up and ASU has games into March.” Holding up my new jersey, I said, “I’ll wear your jersey, and everyone will know this time that I’m your boyfriend.
” I gauged his reaction, my mind replaying the memory of the day so long ago when I’d gone there with Evan to watch Tex’s game.
“Oh, hell yes. I can’t wait.” He threw his arms around me in a squeezing hug and kissed the side of my head. In my ear, he whispered, “I can’t wait to show you off on campus when we get home.”
FOUR MONTHS LATER
The semester raced past, consumed by my thesis, Tex’s training and studies, and his combine travel.
I’d heard nothing from Sara, and I’d been too busy to keep in touch with her.
The football game with my father had indeed been a bonding experience, and it had helped that we’d spent time with him between Christmas and the game.
My dad was still learning to accept that my partner was a man, but football gave us common ground from which to work from and he’d mentioned several times how proud he was of me and Tex.
With April well underway, draft picks and graduations lie ahead. On the first day of the draft, Grey and Malik had contracts with New York teams. But Tex had attracted significant interest from the Denver Broncos, whose pick occurred today.
We planned a party at Tex’s house with Evan, Malik, and Grey. They’d all met each other when we’d watched a Coyotes NHL game at the Varsity Tavern, with me wearing Tex’s jersey. I’d gotten a lot of looks and smiles that day.
I drove into Tex’s driveway in my car with Evan and stopped. “Okay, we’re here.”
“Can’t wait. This is exciting.” Evan held a bottle of champagne. “Dude, I still can’t believe you’ll be leaving me for an NFL player.” He patted my thigh and leaned in close. “I’m happy for you, though.”
“Thanks.” I killed the engine before meeting him on the pathway to the front door. Soon everyone would leave this house behind. Grey and Malik would head to New York, and hopefully we’d have Denver as our new home. As we stepped onto the entry, the door opened wide.
“Babe, come on in.” Tex planted a hard kiss on my lips and then stepped aside.
“Here, I brought you this.” With a warm grin, Evan handed Tex the bottle.
“Oh, thanks, man.” Tex patted Evan on the back as he stepped inside.
Grey and Malik jumped from the sectional, greeted us, and then Malik brought the champagne into the kitchen. “Should I open it now?”
“No, don’t jinx it.” Tex paced back and forth in front of the kitchen island, chewing his thumbnail.
“Dude, sit down. You’re driving me insane.” Malik scoffed and set the champagne inside the refrigerator. “You know they’re going to pick you.”
“Yeah, nothing’s in stone though. What if some other team surprises me?” He stopped with his gaze landing on me. “Sorry, did you guys want a beer?”
“Already on it, Tex. Go sit down, please.” Malik grabbed two beers from the refrigerator and handed them out to me and Evan.
“Thanks.” I snatched Tex’s hand and stopped his pacing while Evan sat at the end of the sectional. “Babe, it’ll work out. Relax. Come and sit down with me.” I’d never seen him so nervous. I pulled him along to the couch and dropped in the middle with Tex falling in beside me.
“Where’s my beer?” Tex scanned the open beers on the coffee table.
“It’s this one.” With a sharp laugh, Grey slid a beer toward Tex. “Listen to your boyfriend. You’re getting a contract today.”
“Yeah, but following talks with the Broncos, I looked up houses and activities in Denver and now I really want to live there.” He drank a few gulps of his beer.
“You shouldn’t have done that. It’s a sure way to jinx it.” Evan opened his beer can and sipped it.
“Evan, keep your superstitions to yourself.” I slapped his thigh. Hockey players could drive themselves crazy with that shit.
“Okay…” Evan arched a brow at me.
We watched a few picks come in on the television in silence, and then they announced Denver would be next.
“Watch your phone.” Malik pointed to Tex’s cell, resting on the coffee table.
“Jesus, this is making me nervous now.” Evan tapped his finger on his beer can, making ticking noises.
“Stop it.” As my pulse jumped, I wrapped my hand over his, stopping him from tapping.
Tex’s phone went off like a foghorn blast, buzzing, alarming, and flashing with lights.
We all jumped and yelped.
“What have you done to your phone?” I stared at him while he fumbled with it. That was not his normal ringtone.
“I wanted to be sure I heard it, now hang on.” He hopped off the couch and strolled into the kitchen. “Hello?”
Malik ran after him, snatched the champagne bottle, and unwrapped the foil.
“Yes, this is Travis Rowlings.” He nodded. “Uh-huh. Of course.” As his lips curled, he bit his lip. “I’d be honored, sir. Like I mentioned at the combine, the Broncos are an upstanding organization, and I’d love to be a part of it.”
Malik popped the cork on the bottle, and it hit the ceiling before landing in the crook of Tex’s arm.
“Shit.” He shook his arm, wiggling, and the cork fell to the floor.
“No, I’m sorry, sir. My roommate just, well, he opened a bottle of champagne.
” Pinching the bridge of his nose, he huffed a chuckle.
“Yes, sir. Absolutely. Speak with you soon.” He ended the call and through his teeth said, “Malik…”
“What?” Shrugging, Malik poured champagne into four lowball glasses, handed them out and then returned to Grey’s side. “Tex will be a Bronco. I can’t wait to blow by your ass in a game.”
“Like hell you will.” With a wide grin, Tex held his glass up. “To NFL contracts.”
In unison and tapping our glasses, we all said, “NFL contracts.” We sipped our drinks and then Evan said, “By the way, I got called up.”
“What?” I swiveled my head. “Why didn’t you say so?” My heart soared. Everyone had gotten what they wanted this year.
“Yeah, I’m what they call a Black Ace. I’ll get to practice with Lucas again and serve as backup if guys get injured during the playoffs. You know, the Coyotes have a good chance at the Cup this year.” He wagged his brows.
“The Stanley Cup?” Grey beamed at him.
“That’s the one.” Evan hooked an arm around my shoulders and pulled me to his side. “I didn’t want to say anything until Tex got his contract. I thought—”
“You might jinx it? Jesus.” With a quick laugh, Tex shook his head once. “Love you, man, and congratulations. Looks like we’re breaking out the good tequila tonight.” Reaching across me, he patted Evan on the shoulder.
“Hell yes.” Evan drank more champagne.
Grabbing Tex’s hand and Evan’s, I held them both up, kissing both their knuckles.
“I’m so damn happy for you both.” I scanned the room as warmth buzzed through my body.
“And Grey and Malik, too. Seriously. I don’t know what I, a nerdy tutor, did to deserve to hang out with such amazing athletes, but I’m so happy to share these moments with you. ”
“Colton, we love sharing this with you because we know Tex deserves only the best. There is no one better for him.”
“Thanks, guys.” A pink hue filtered through Tex’s cheeks as he gave me a kiss full of all the love his heart held for me.