Chapter Seven #2
“Why not come work with us? That way you’ll step into the life, but you’ll have the power to decide if and when you want to let the world know.”
“If I do it, that’s a pretty strong indication I’m part of the community.”
“No,” Brody answered. “We have allies who are willing to help us.”
“I’m not sure,” I demurred, propping my chin in my hand.
“I’ll think about it, and when I do come out to everyone, rest assured I’ll be there.
But there’s also something else. You two have your summer football camp and the shelter you started down in Brody’s hometown.
Your lives are full. I have no idea what to do with my time.
I’m not coach material, and I don’t want to go the broadcast route, but I would like to do something football related. Any ideas?”
Dev folded his big arms, and I could see his mind working. “Lemme ask you something. You’re planning on staying up here?”
“Yeah.” I thought about Jet and knew if this was where he lived, it would be my home as well. If he wanted to stay together, of course, but I put the negativity aside.
“There are tons of colleges up here and in Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Vermont…the whole North Atlantic, with good football programs. Why not ask the Kings if you can work as a scout for them? You were in the NFL for twenty years. You’ve got the eye. I’m positive you’d be great at it.”
I turned the suggestion over and over in my mind, and I liked it. A lot. I could see myself in the role, checking out new talent for the Kings. I didn’t bear them any ill will for not re-signing me. It was a business decision, and with my big salary, I was always vulnerable.
“Who should I talk to? Coach? I don’t really know anyone in management well enough to call them up out of the blue and make a business pitch.” That was my fault for not keeping up ties with the team. Now I desperately wanted back in and hoped I hadn’t blown my chance.
“We’ve got a conference call with Armi tomorrow. We could feel him out about it, if you want?” Brody asked, and though it felt like the coward’s way out, I accepted.
“I’d love that. Thank you so much.”
Dev gave me another bone-crushing hug. “We’re not only former teammates.
We’re neighbors now. And hopefully we’ll become better friends.
When Brody and I were active, especially in the final years of us playing, we were so wrapped up in our own lives that we didn’t feel safe to open our circle and get to know you well, but we can change that now. ”
It was special to be included in Dev and Brody’s lives. They’d set the gold standard—not only for their positions in football, but also for how to handle with grace the media, as well as same-sex relationships. But most importantly, how to be good human beings in general. They were an inspiration.
“I think we have.”
“I agree,” Brody said with his gentle smile. He reminded me of Jet, and a pang hit my heart. I missed him already. The thought of not seeing him that night after his shift ended saddened me, and I sighed.
Dev jumped up, and that was one thing I always remembered about him. Devlin Summers was a man in motion. He couldn’t sit still. He left Brody and me sitting to open the box of baked goods from Dolly’s.
“What’s wrong?” Dev inquired, peeking up from behind the cardboard top. “You look sad.”
“It’s silly.”
“Tell us anyway,” Brody urged. “That’s the whole friendship thing, see?” His sweet words made it easier.
“Well, the guy I’ve been staying with has worked nights. So he comes home in the morning, and I’m there with his coffee and breakfast.” I shrugged. “It’s been nice sleeping in his bed and then being able to do something for him, even if it’s just having his coffee ready.”
“Hey, that’s really sweet.” Dev returned with the pastries and a bowl filled with chips.
“Don’t diminish it. I’m sure he’ll miss you being there as well.
Why don’t you go there when you know he’ll be coming home and wait for him?
” He grinned. “Maybe you can sneak in the house and surprise him. You know, be the naked barista.”
“Oh, God.” I covered my face with my hands. “I can’t believe you said that.”
“Believe it.” Brody sighed with a roll of his eyes. “This one is forever coming up with ways to surprise me.”
Dev gave him a lingering kiss. “I do it because I love you. And I know you love it too.”
“You got that right.” Brody chuckled.
I hoped I’d one day have the kind of love the two of them had. It wasn’t envy, because I wasn’t jealous of what they’d built. I knew how long and hard they’d fought to be together. It was simple—I wanted that forever love.
The rest of the evening was filled with laughter and fun, trading war stories and discussing the Kings’ chances to go all the way to the Super Bowl this year.
By the time I left, they’d assured me that even if the Kings idea fell through, we’d come up with another plan.
I liked being part of the we of Dev and Brody.
During the car ride home, I contemplated Dev’s suggestion. I hated the thought of Jet coming home to an empty house. As much as I liked my new cabin, right now Jet’s felt more like a home to me.
I undressed for bed and set the alarm.
Jet usually walked in the door at 8:15, so the following morning, I arrived at his place half an hour before. He’d given me a key, which he hadn’t asked me to return. I took a shower and went to the kitchen to prepare his breakfast.
At 8:17, the lock clicked, and Jet walked inside. Totally naked, I stood in the living room, holding a mug of steaming coffee.
“Welcome home.”
His eyes blew wide open, and his face turned pale under his beard. Behind him was a woman, around sixty, with the same golden-brown hair and blue-gray eyes. The cold chill of dread poured through me, and I watched in horror as Jet stepped in front of her.
“Mom. Can you wait on the porch for a second?”
Oh, God. Oh, God. Jet’s mother? What have I done?