Chapter Nine #3
“Not what I think? You said you two are an item. And yeah, he did. A little nervous in the beginning, but overall it was more than decent for a first show.”
I checked my watch. “I promised Adrian we’d have lunch after the interview. Wanna join us?”
“Are you kidding me? And be a third wheel?” Seb snickered at my glare. “I gotta get home, finish packing, and say good-bye to the girls. I’ll see you at the airport.”
“All right. Catch you later.” We bumped fists, and while I waited for Adrian to finish, I signed a few autographs and took some pictures with the production team. My phone buzzed, and seeing texts from Neil pop up, I ignored them, but there was one call I didn’t plan on ignoring.
“Brody Martin, how the hell are you?”
Brody, superstar tight end, and his husband, Devlin Summers, the former iconic quarterback of the Brooklyn Kings, had become good friends of mine when we formed GAINS.
There were over fifty members, retired and active players of all professional teams. In addition to being on the board and their sports reporting jobs, Brody and Dev had a weekly podcast called The Huddle, and I’d been on it a few times.
“Good, man, how’s it goin’?” Brody’s soft southern accent played in direct contrast to Devlin’s fast-talking New York speak.
“Going good. Just finished taping a new sports show coming to Channel 8, and then we’re heading out for some away games.”
“Life of a busy player. Listen, Dev and I were wonderin’ if you might wanna come on The Huddle—talk about your run for the Stanley Cup and the rumors swirling about this new relationship you’re in.”
“Are there rumors?” I made a face. God, I hated this publicity nonsense.
“Well, after those pictures…”
I winced. “Yeah. I mean, it’s all pretty new.”
Brody said, “People love to talk, especially when it comes to pro sports and queer relationships.”
I huffed out a sigh. “Yeah, well, people need a new hobby.”
He chuckled. “If it makes you feel better, it wouldn’t be all about you and your new boyfriend. Like I said, we’d talk hockey, heading into the playoff season…”
“And maybe what it’s like playing with an ex?” I was pretty sure Brody was too nice a guy to come right out and ask, but I knew that sooner or later I’d have to talk about it.
“If you wanna. People are interested in that kinda dynamic.”
Adrian and DeVine had finished, and DeVine was on his phone. With cautious steps, Adrian made his way over to me, and I was much more interested in what he had to say than talking to Brody.
“Yeah, sure. Why not?” An idea sprang to mind. “Why don’t Adrian and I both come on? He can talk about his new show, and I can talk about me.”
“Great idea. Even better. You’re leaving for a road trip, so how about next week?”
“Sounds good. Send me the details.”
“Catch you later, Rip. Thanks.”
I ended the call to Adrian’s curious expression. “That was Brody Martin. He played football for the Brooklyn Kings and wants us to come on his podcast. I said yes because it would be great press for you and the station.”
Adrian chewed his lip and carded his fingers through his hair. “I’d have to check with Rob.”
“I’ll do it.”
“Wait,” he said, attempting to hold me back, but I shook him off.
“Rob,” I called out, and before Adrian could object further, I left my chair and crossed the room. Adrian followed at my heels. “Rob, got a second?”
He dragged his gaze from the phone. “Yes?” His smile was sly. “So the rumors were true, then.”
I ignored his innuendo. “Listen. I got a call from Brody Martin. He wants Adrian and me on his podcast, The Huddle. I figured it would be good publicity for the station and the new show. Agreed?”
“Hmm…” His sharp brown eyes assessed Adrian and me. “I like it. Adrian, you don’t have a problem with it, I’m sure.”
“Uh, n-no. I’m fine. It’ll be okay.”
Figuring Adrian wouldn’t have the nerve, I had to ask Rob what he thought about the segment we just did.
“I thought Adrian did a great job with the interview, don’t you?”
“You did, hmm?” His brows drew together. “He was pretty nervous.”
Adrian wilted a bit, so I stepped up for him since I knew he wouldn’t defend himself. “Yeah, maybe. But it went smoothly. He asked good questions.”
“I guess we’ll see how the ratings go when we air it. If they’re high enough, we’ll schedule it for another slot. Have you thought about who you’d have as a guest if we do decide to give you another show?”
“Not sure yet. I didn’t want to make inquiries—not without knowing there’d be another.”
“Smart. No need wasting people’s time if it all goes belly up and no one watches. Let’s hope it makes the cut. Hopefully people will tune in to see you interview your new boyfriend. I’ll let you know.” Without another word, he left us standing together in the empty studio.
“Rip…” he began, and I could see he was looking for a way out, so I took him by the hand and pulled him out of the room and down the hall until we reached a secluded area.
“Stop knocking yourself. It went great, and Rob is being a dick because he can.”
“I didn’t want to ask any questions about us, but Rob insisted.”
I put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “I was prepared. Now let’s go get that lunch and give people something to talk about for real.”
**
Attempting to set Adrian at ease, I told him funny stories of my mishaps and screwups during my first season in the league.
The fact that I was named Rookie of the Year was irrelevant, and I minimized it for his benefit.
With his sparkling eyes and flushed cheeks, I had to remember we were simply friends playing a game of attraction and desire.
Café Fiorello was a Lincoln Center institution, and I knew at lunchtime it would be a scene.
Not a place I’d normally choose, but I wanted people to see Adrian and me.
I held his hand and tangled our fingers together as I put the last bit of chicken parmigiana in my mouth and sighed with appreciation.
“Damn, that was good. Listen, the show came off great, and this podcast with Brody and Devlin will help you attract viewership. They have a big audience.”
Adrian had finished his spaghetti and meatballs, but he still tensed every time someone came by the table to ask for an autograph.
“You still don’t think I can do it on my own?”
The light in his face flickered, and I hastened to answer before it got snuffed out.
“Yes, you can. But let’s face it, you’re still an unknown.
You need people to know who you are. Don’t you think doing this will get more eyes on you?
Get your name on people’s lips? I’ve watched enough of these shows to know that sometimes it’s all about popularity and who people want to see. ”
“I guess. It just feels weird to pretend.”
Funny thing was, I really liked talking to Adrian. He wasn’t starstruck by my fame, and he listened to what I had to say. Unlike with Denis, there was no one-upmanship with who was more of a fan favorite. I was going to miss Adrian on this road trip.
Seemed like I wasn’t pretending the boyfriend thing all that much.