Chapter 19 #3
My heart pitched. “Uh, Tate?” Fuckin’ A. The son of a bitch just wouldn’t go away. “He’s my, um, my boyfriend’s ex.” Wait, had Archer told his father my status?
“You’re queer? This isn’t a stunt?” He puffed out a breath. “Why hasn’t anyone told me that?”
“I…well, I didn’t know myself until recently.” I stared at Archer. “You didn’t tell your dad about me and Ezra?”
“No, man, Mason said you weren’t out to your family. I figured you’d do it when you were ready.” Archer shifted as the server set my drink down.
“What happened, Coach?” I tightened my grip on the phone. Had Ezra heard about this already? Shit, what about my parents? Dad surely would have. I flinched.
“There are pictures of you on social media. Oh hell, it’s all over the sports blogs now, of you kissing and dancing with another man at what I’m pretty sure is the gay bar on Mill Avenue.”
“Oh.” Fucking Tate. He’d bided his time and waited for the perfect occasion to strike. I pinched the bridge of my nose. “What do you want me to do?”
“You’re going to talk to the PR team and your agent. Everyone’s been trying to reach you. You should check your phone. They’ll need a statement and will probably set up some interviews. Fuck, I don’t know.”
I stared at the counter. “Will this hurt my chances of keeping Berg’s position?” It couldn’t, could it? The team supported the other guys…
“That hinges entirely on your performance tomorrow night. It might be a circus, but keep your wits about you and play as well as I know you can.”
Nodding, I fisted my free hand. “I will. I won’t let the team down.” There were a million things to do before tomorrow.
Archer placed his hand on my shoulder and his forehead against mine. “You can do this, man. We’re all behind you.” He straightened.
My gaze met his. “Thanks, man.” Into the phone, I said, “I better go. I think I left my phone in the car and I’m sure my parents have called.” Tension wove through my body.
“Are you out to them?” Coach asked.
“No, well, I wasn’t. Guess I am now.” I breathed through the tension as my periphery sparkled. No need to panic. Just a hell of a lot of phone calls to make.
“Okay, I wish you the best. Call me if you need me. Talk to you soon.”
“Bye.” I ended the call and stared at Archer. “Fucking hell. I need to get my cell phone from my car.” What a fucking time to forget it. But other things had been filling my brain.
“Go. The sushi’s coming. I’ll wait and we’ll talk through this.” Archer patted my back.
After grabbing my cell phone from my Jeep, I hustled into the restaurant and sat down. I had already received a flood of messages and texts.
With a mouthful of food, Archer pushed a plate of salmon sashimi toward me. “First, you eat and while we do, we’ll prioritize this shit show.”
“Okay.” Thank God he was here. Archer was level-headed, whereas Mason would go on a rampage to find Tate and kick the shit out of him. I mixed wasabi into a small bowl of soy sauce and dunked the fish into it.
“Who’s more important to talk to right now? Ezra or your parents?” Archer sipped his tea from a straw.
“Well, Ezra is working right now.” I tapped and scrolled through the notifications on my screen. There were no messages from him. “He hasn’t called or texted, so I’ll bet he’s knee deep in photo editing or on a shoot.” Hadn’t he said he was onsite for some pre-wedding photos today?
“Okay, then I guess your parents come first.” Archer tapped his phone. “I’m texting Mason back right now. He texted me while you were outside. He’s already been on the phone with your parents.”
“Oh, fuck.” I ate more food. “I should call him first, then.” What would Mason have told them about Tate? What a way to introduce my boyfriend to them.
“Once you’ve got the parents out of the way, call your agent. You use the same one as Mason, right? Dave Nowak?” He glanced at me as he stuffed food into his mouth.
“Yeah, I do.” Dave would be experienced with bullshit like this after handling Mason’s momentous outburst at a game that got a homophobic player suspended for the season. I ate a roll.
“After, I’d talk to the PR team. Dave will have your best interests in mind while the PR team, though good, will have the team’s best interests in mind.” He stopped eating and gave me a pointed look. “You get me?”
“I do.” Nodding, I thought everything through and glanced at my phone. It was quiet for now. Had Coach and Mason calmed everyone down for me?
“Okay, we have a plan. Now, let’s talk more about the game tomorrow.” Archer drank some tea and offered a smirk. “You’ll get through this, Lucas.”
The tightness in my chest uncoiled. “Thank you, Archer.” God damn, he was a good guy.
After lunch, I’d texted Mason and set up a call with him and my parents. This call caused me the most anxiety. I hurried into my apartment and shut the door behind me.
“Dude, how the hell did you manage to fuck up your first day in the NAPH?” Snorting a laugh, Evan sat at the dinette, his laptop open on the table. “You’re all over these blogs. And your Instagram stalker, Brittany? She’s furious.”
“Fuck her. I have bigger things to deal with. I have to talk to my parents.” As a wave of panic rolled over me, my knees buckled. Fuck, get a grip, Lucas. I strode into the main room and sank into the couch.
Evan’s smile fell. “Let me know if I can do anything. Seriously, man.”
Raking my fingers through my hair, I held my phone to my face. “Just be quiet while I have this call.” We were doing it over FaceTime. I called Mason.
The phone picked up, and Mason’s face entered the screen. “Little dude, guess us Hopkins like to make a bang when we hit the NAPH.” He snickered.
“Mason, he’s been through enough today. Don’t chirp on him.” Jett’s voice carried through the connection.
“Aw, come on.” He scoffed. “Let me add Mom’s cell to this call. I told them about the bullshit Tate pulled, so you don’t have to rehash that nightmare. But fuck, I almost lost my hearing when I spoke to them earlier.”
“What? Why?” Was Mom upset about this? The phone rang and Mom and Dad came into view in a single box, the kitchen cupboards showing behind them.
“Lucas? Are you gay like your brother?” Mom, her graying dark hair cut at her shoulders, arched a brow.
Dad scoffed, rubbing his eyes under his thick black glasses.
“Way to go, Mom. I told you to let him talk.” Mason huffed.
“I uh…” Fuck, here we go. “I’m bisexual. I’ve never been with a guy before Ezra.” My heart thumped into my ears. Was she upset? She hadn’t been upset about Mason.
“Oh, okay.” She pursed her lips. “So, do you love this boy?”
“Jennifer, he’s probably just experimenting.” Dad turned his head, his profile showing.
“Oh, boy…” Mason rolled his eyes.
“I’m not experimenting. I love him. We have plans to move in together when…when I’m permanently playing with the Cardinals.” I glanced at Mason, his face reddening. I knew that look. He was getting pissed.
“Oh…” Mom set her hand on Dad’s shoulder. “Scott, we need to be supportive here.”
“Yeah, Dad. Lucas is already under enough pressure from that asshole Tate.” Mason growled. “This isn’t Lucas’s fault. He planned on doing this the proper way.”
Dad’s face came into view. “Yeah, okay. It’s just a shock.” Dad shifted his gaze. “I didn’t expect this from Lucas. You, Mason, fuck, I don’t know.” He rubbed his forehead.
“Yeah, I know. I’m special.” Mason gave a toothy grin. “Anyhow, let’s move this along. Lucas has shit to do.”
“Lucas? I love you, dear. You know you have our support.” A warm grin crept over Mom’s mouth. “And let us know when we can meet this fine young man.”
“I will, Mom.” I forced a smile. “He’s a great guy, you’ll see.” Boy, this would surprise the hell out of him when I saw him.