Chapter 35 #2
He shakes his head. “No, K. It’s not like that. I don’t care who you date.”
I nod slowly, trying to decide if I believe him.
I know that everyone isn’t going to be sunshine and roses about me and Wells being together, but there’s just something…
off about the way that Coop is acting. So I push.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from being with Wells, it’s that directness is the best policy.
“Then why have you been radio silent on me this semester? This is our last time playing hockey together, and I feel like we’re practically strangers. Did I do something else to offend you?”
“I’m happy for you. It seems like things are going well?”
I know he’s trying to distract me. But who doesn’t want to talk about their amazing boyfriend when given the chance?
I smile reflexively, thinking about how it feels like my world is in technicolor now that Wells has come into it.
I don’t feel like I’m just surviving anymore.
“They are. I’ve honestly never been happier. ”
He nods. “Cool. Great. Glad to hear it. And, uh… how are things going with the pro interest?”
Interesting. I don’t think I mentioned to Coop what Coach told me. “How’d you hear about that?”
The tips of his ears go red. “I asked Dutch.”
“Instead of asking me directly?”
He shrugs. “A lot of good it did me. He told me I needed to get my head out of my ass and talk to you if I wanted to know.”
I laugh. “Yeah, that sounds like Dutch.”
“So… is going pro what you want? You aren’t, like… worried about it?”
I consider the question. “I mean, I’m sure it will be intense.
And I can’t get an offer until July anyway, so I’m trying hard not to consider anything seriously before then.
But, yeah. I think that I could do it.” I’d miss my family like crazy.
And Wells. But… maybe he’d come with me.
It’s not like the idea hasn’t crossed my mind before.
I shake my head, and Coop gives me a confused look.
“Sorry. Was just getting too many steps ahead of something.”
Coop clears his throat. “I mean, aren’t you worried about being out or whatever…”
I frown. “I guess I haven’t thought a ton about it.
There are too many steps between here and there.
Get picked up. Actually play in a few games.
Have people give enough of a shit about me that they care about my personal life.
” Being poor hasn’t really given me the chance to think too far ahead in life.
I just have to take things as they come.
“I’ve just always been told that it’s not…”
“Not what?”
The color drains from his face, and his voice is quiet when he says, “I sort of had a thing with my old best friend. When I was younger.” He stills, and I give him the space to get out whatever is weighing him down.
“He plays hockey, too. His dad caught us and told me–both of us, actually–that it would ruin our futures. Our lives, even.”
My hands instinctively clench into fists.
“I’m sorry that happened to you, Coop. And I’m even more sorry that some people are bigoted assholes.
But…” I’m trying to find the right words.
I don’t want to lie to him. “Everyone seems to have an opinion about everything these days. Especially if they think it can bring you down a few pegs. Happiness–real happiness–doesn’t seem to come around that often.
And it’s completely normal when an adult tells you that you’re doing something wrong to believe them.
But caring about someone–loving them–just because they’re also a guy, isn’t wrong. ”
“I think that seeing you these past few months, just living your life, really got me thinking about exactly what you’re saying. How I just accepted it as the truth.” He runs his hand across his tired face. “I’ve been pretty messed up over it, actually.”
“Well, I hope that I’m living proof, at least so far, that falling in love isn’t a bad thing.” I quirk my lips. “I haven’t actually used the L-word with Wells yet, so please keep that between us.”
Coop smiles, and for the first time in the last, long minutes, I see his body relax. “I really am happy for you. And I’m sorry that I’ve acted like such a weirdo this semester.”
I lift my hands. “We’ve all got our stuff. I’m cool if you are though. I don’t want to waste the last few months of the year tip-toeing around one another. You’re one of my best friends, Coop. A great player and a hell of a guy.”
Coop is going to be arguably the best player on the Radford Renegades by his senior year, and the world is going to be his for the taking. I hope that one day, he won’t let some narrow-minded asshole make him feel less-than just because of who he loves.
When he stands up from the sofa, I throw my arms around him in a bear hug, which happens at the same moment that Dutch walks through the door. “Group hug,” he yells, barreling over to us and wrapping his even bigger arms around both of us. God, that man can squeeze.
Finally, Dutch lets us go so that I can let Coop go, and we both need a few seconds to fill our lungs with air again.
I rub at my chest and Coop coughs, which makes us all laugh.
He looks up and smiles, and I just have this feeling that everything is going to be okay.
Between us, but also for him. “Mario Kart?” he says, already grabbing for the controller.
“I thought you’d never ask.”