Chapter 25
Dean
Sunday. Game day. And the Niners were inching closer to the playoffs.
Colton’s family had invited Dean to watch the game with them, and he hadn't expected to be so overwhelmed as he stepped into one of the larger private boxes at the stadium, filled with people eating, drinking, and loud conversations around tables.
Dean certainly wasn’t an introvert, but being surrounded by Colton’s friends and family had him feeling a little timid, insecure, and out of his element.
Thankfully, a few folks in the suite recognized him. They asked for selfies and were eager to chat about Dean’s music and his upcoming shows, which put him at ease and made him feel a little more like himself.
Dean introduced himself to new people, getting to know them and how they knew Colton.
He chatted with Colton’s dad, Peter, about football, impressing him with his knowledge of the game.
“You can thank Colton for that, sir. He’s taught me so much about the game these last few months,” Dean said with a smile.
He visited with Colton’s younger brother, Casey, who was practically a carbon copy of Colton; short blonde hair, blue eyes, cute as a button, and muscles for days.
He also played running back at Stanford.
He came to as many of Colton’s games as he could, and hoped to be drafted to the NFL after the combine next year.
“How cool would it be to have both of you playing for the Niners?” Dean asked.
“That's the goal, man. It would be awesome!” Casey beamed.
Occasionally, throughout the day, Dean caught Colton’s mother, Mary, glaring at him from across the suite. They had only been introduced earlier that day, when Dean first arrived. The only words they had spoken to one another were, “Hello. Nice to meet you.”
Dean didn’t understand why he was getting the incredulous side eye from Mary.
Maybe Colton told her he’s gay and she had a problem with that.
Maybe she had read something about Dean on the internet.
As with most celebrities, there were a ton of bogus rumors and downright false, outlandish stories about Dean floating around the web.
Because Dean is gay, some journalists over the years had created stories suggesting Dean was a drug using, sex-crazed nymphomaniac, throwing wild sex orgies after every gig.
Dean could only wish his life was that wild and depraved, but many people in the world believe everything they read on the internet.
It was out there, and Dean couldn’t change it.
He sincerely hoped Mary hadn’t read one of those dishonest articles and based her opinion on that.
After a while, Dean took a seat on one side of the box, watching Colton on the field.
He’d had a great game so far and Dean loved to watch him run.
Those tight football pants hugging his plump, perfect ass certainly made the view more enjoyable.
Dean’s cock took interest as Colton spiked the ball in the endzone and flexed his biceps for the camera. Holy shit!
Mary sat next to him with a fresh glass of wine. Her timing couldn't have been worse. After a few moments of watching the action on the field below, she spoke. “It was nice of you to come today.”
“Thank you for having me.” Dean smiled. “I really enjoy watching the game in person, and I’ve met some very nice people today.”
Mary suddenly shifted in her chair, turning toward Dean. “Why are you hanging out with my son?” she asked bluntly.
“Oh!” Dean turned his head to Mary and squinted his eyes slightly, taken aback by her brazenness.
Internally, he huffed at the audacity of the question.
If Dean were straight, she would never even think to ask that question.
He would just be one of Colton’s pals watching the game.
But, since he’s gay, he must have some scheme planned for her son.
But he took a beat and answered the question truthfully.
“I’m helping Colton with his guitar and teaching him piano.
He’s coaching me on my my golf game and helping me with a new fitness regimen.
It turns out we have a great deal in common, so we’ve become pretty good friends over the past few months. ”
The answer seemed to appease Mary and she curved one side of her lip to crack a slight smile.
“I’m just a protective mama bear, don’t mind me.
” She swirled the wine in her glass. “Some of the celebrities Sophie introduced to me have left a bad taste in my mouth. But I can tell you’re different.
And Colton has been talking about you quite a lot lately.
I wanted to see what all the fuss was about. ” Mary sipped her wine with a shrug.
Dean paused. Colton had been talking to his mother about him 'quite a lot lately'? What the hell did that mean? What had he been saying?
Dean wasn’t sure he bought her rationale, either way. Sure, it was natural for a mother to be protective of her son. Dean couldn’t fault her for that. Still, he hadn’t given her any reason to be suspicious.
Colton hung out with Bryce a lot too. Had Mary questioned Bryce in that manner? Dean guessed probably not. They’d only known one another for about an hour, so why was Mary so leery of Dean?
Maybe she disliked celebrities? Dean could agree with her on that point. He’d met his fair share of asshole celebrities too.
Maybe she had an aversion to DJ’s or musicians? Maybe she just hated music? God, what sort of soulless monster hated music? Or maybe she only loved country music?
Maybe it was the fact that Dean was gay. But Dean wasn’t even sure Colton had told her that. It wouldn’t seem to be something that would come up in casual conversation. ‘Hey Mom, my new friend Dean…he’s cool and fun, and oh yeah, he’s gay too.’
Whatever the reason for Mary’s little inquisition, Dean decided to have some fun with it
“Well, I can be quite charming when I want to be.” Dean grinned with a half wink, turning to Mary.
Mary smiled and clinked her glass to Dean’s bottle. “I’m sure you can. You’ve certainly charmed my husband today.”
Dean chuckled and sipped his drink, but his thoughts returned to her earlier statement. What had Colton been saying about him to his mom? His thought process was broken as Mary began again.
“So, Colton tells me he’s been to some of your shows.”
“Yeah, he and Sophie came to a few shows.” Dean smiled at the memory.
“Has your mother ever come to your show?” Mary asked.
Dean tensed in his seat.
“No, she’s never seen me perform,” he said quickly, lips pursed as he stared out across the football field.
“Well, she must be very proud of your success.” Mary replied and took a sip of wine.
Still reeling from the unfairness of Mary’s earlier questioning, Dean’s lip began to tremble.
He turned to Mary with a slight quiver in his voice.
“I haven’t spoken to my mother in ten years.
When I told her I was gay, she stood up, told me that homosexuality is a sin and threw me out of the house.
” Tears began to form in Dean’s eyes as he continued.
“I was sixteen years old and she threw me out on the street like a piece of garbage. So I have no idea if she’s proud or not, and frankly… I don’t care.”
Mary slumped in her seat, flabbergasted, wide eyed, her mouth hanging open. “Dean, are you serious?”
“Yes ma’am. I wouldn’t joke about something like that.” Dean glanced over at Mary.
Mary huffed and shook her head. “That’s appalling! How could a mother do that to her own son? It’s reprehensible. I couldn’t imagine a single thing my child could do that would make me throw him out of the house and stop speaking to him.”
Dean shrugged half-heartedly. “Well, I guess you’re a better person than my parents.” He sipped his beer, lip still trembling from reliving the trauma of that moment.
Mary set her glass on the side table. “Colton tells me you’re very involved in the homeless shelters in San Francisco?”
Dean flashed a slight smile. “I am. There are thousands of homeless gay kids in San Francisco alone. I’m very involved in the LGBTQ shelters around the city.”
“I know I’m a little ignorant on this subject, but why are there so many homeless gay kids?”
Dean felt a swell of pride in his chest. Anytime he could educate someone on the obstacles queer kids faced was a win in his book.
“Well, what happened to me is not uncommon.” Dean explained to Mary how these kids end up in cities like San Francisco or New York City after being thrown out of their homes or running away from bad situations.
“I try to provide as much financial support and volunteer as much of my time as possible to help keep these kids off the streets.”
Mary faced Dean with a concerned look. “That’s horrifying! I had no idea this was happening!”
“It’s dreadful. And it continues to happen every day.
These families dismiss their kids because they’re being truthful about who they are.
If you ask me, it’s the exact opposite of being a good Christian.
The worst part is, these shelters receive very little government funding.
It’s up to private donors like me to keep them up and running.
I’m actually looking to buy another building in the city, to open a fifth shelter.
I’ll spend every penny I have to ensure no other gay kid has to endure what I did,” Dean said, resolute.
Mary smiled and placed a hand to her chest. “I have to say, I misjudged you. I thought you’d be like Sophie and her friends…
another shallow, self-absorbed celebrity.
I’m impressed with your desire to serve others.
It’s very noble of you, and much more Christian than your parents, that’s for sure.
You can count on my family’s support from now on.
” Mary patted the back of Dean’s hand. “Colton’s very lucky to have a friend like you.
” She stood and moved over to join her husband.
Dean settled back into his seat and tried to calm his racing heart and mind.
Well, that went well, I guess, he thought. At least he was able to sway Mary’s opinion of him to something more positive.
He looked down to the field, his eyes searching. There…there was Colton, running with the ball, sprinting toward the endzone. That’s what Dean needed to see, that’s what would calm his mind and soothe his frayed nerves.