Chapter 23
Donovan
I’ve only ever watched college football games, and yeah, there’s a lot of hype around them, but nothing like this.
The TV is on in the LAMC clubhouse; after hearing that Jamie and Max were here to watch their friend play, the club wanted to be supportive and put it on.
Everyone cheers when the camera sweeps the crowd and we catch a glimpse of them; I don’t mention that I also recognize the parents they’re standing next to as well.
Pretty much all of the commentary is about Stephen.
He’s the rookie, the hopeful new star, and everyone’s eager to see what he’ll do with the chance he’s been given during Isaac’s injury.
Knowing how nervous he gets before games, I can easily imagine how he’ll be feeling right now, but I stop myself from intruding and messaging him good luck.
The camera view switches to one of the stadium corridors, showing the Warriors all arriving together.
My heart jolts when Stephen appears on-screen, he’s not looking at the camera, instead keeping his head down with noise-canceling headphones on, and a suit tailored to perfection.
The view of his biceps straining through the fabric causes my breath to hitch; he’s gotten even bigger since I last saw him, I guess training full time will have that effect.
Nobody at the club knows that Stephen is my ex; they haven’t worked out that Max and Jamie’s friend is the same person as my roommate. It should hopefully make today easier; I just need to keep my head down and watch the game.
The players disappear into the locker room, and the cameras return to the crowd, running commentary over the top about the Warrior’s chances for the season ahead. Will they make the playoffs this year? Do they have a shot at the Super Bowl?
We hang out with the TV on in the background, until the players start to make their way onto the field. I’m so used to seeing Stephen in Winbrook red, it’s a surprise to see him in Warrior blue; it looks good on him though, then again, he’d make anything look good.
I must make a sound, or a movement, because Beth suddenly grips my hand. “Wait… is that?” she whispers, as the screen shows a close-up of him talking to another player.
I nod my head, wanting to look away from the screen, but also not able to take my eyes off him.
“You can say it,” I chuckle.
“What?” she asks.
“I know what you’re thinking.”
“I’m not thinking anything,” she says, her eyes wide, knowing she’s been caught.
I raise my brows at her. “So you’re not thinking that he looks insanely hot.”
“No,” she scoffs.
“Mm-hmm.”
“Fine,” she mutters, “it’s kind of unfair how hot he is, nobody should have those cheekbones and that head of hair, it’s fucking criminal. I mean, leave something for the rest of us. And I saw him in that suit, don’t even get me started on his body…”
“Mmm, believe it or not, he looks even better naked,” I chuckle. It’s the first time I’ve been able to make light of the whole situation, which I’m taking as a positive.
“Fuck me, I bet he does,” she says, making sure my brother doesn’t overhear her.
She’d never actually look at another guy, she’s just enjoying being part of my experiences from Winbrook. I’ve also been on the receiving end of her hook-up stories countless times, so it feels good to be able to share something with her instead.
“What are you two whispering about?”
Diablo appears and leans into Beth, wrapping her in his arms and nuzzling into her neck. I’ve never seen him act like this with anyone before, and it’s taking some getting used to for sure.
“Nothing,” Beth chuckles, “just hoping we catch another glimpse of Jamie and Max.”
She points at the screen, and luckily the camera has moved away from the players and back to the crowd.
“I think it’s starting soon,” I say, and everyone turns their chairs to face the screen again.
“Does anyone actually know how this all works?” Pretty Boy asks.
“Not a clue,” I laugh. “They’ve got to get the ball to the opposite end of the field, other than that, just cheer when everyone wearing blue cheers.”
“Got it,” Pretty Boy chuckles.
“Hey,” Tank says, “which one is Jamie and Max’s friend?”
“Um… his name’s Choi, listen out for number eighty-eight,” I say nervously, making sure I don’t look at anyone because I know my face will give it away.
“Choi, eighty-eight,” Tank shouts, clapping his hands.
The Warriors lose the coin toss, and the game gets underway. I can’t see Stephen on the field so I’m guessing defense are up first; I zone out until the players all start switching up.
“There he is,” Tank says, pointing at the screen.
“Come on, eighty-eight,” Pretty Boy cheers.
“Why is he all the way out to the side like that?” Diablo asks.
“Um… so he’ll run ahead, and the quarterback will try and throw it to him,” I say, thinking back to all the times Stephen and I used to lie in bed, looking up at all the play sketches he had on his wall while he tried to explain it to me.
“Oh shit, there it goes,” Tank says, “the guy threw it.”
I hold my breath as we watch the ball sail through the air, Stephen is nowhere near it, but the next second he and the ball seem to meet at the end of the field, as though the throw was timed perfectly to match how fast he runs.
He catches it and gets tackled to the floor, but they’ve already got the points.
“Touchdown!” Pretty Boy yells, as the words flash across the screen. “That’s a good thing, yeah?” he asks, turning to look at me.
“Yeah,” I chuckle, “that’s a good thing. He just scored his first NFL touchdown.”
“Yeah!” Tank yells. “Number eighty-eight!”
My heart bursts with pride for Stephen. He’s fucking doing it, this is everything he’s worked so hard for, everything he’s ever wanted.
The camera pans to where he’s joined his parents by the stands; more cheers erupt as people recognize his dad from his own NFL days.
It makes me so happy to see Stephen being able to hug them both, with Jamie and Max hugging next to them; but I wish more than anything that I could be with them.
Stephen
We won. I’m still in shock at the final whistle, with my teammates all leaping onto me after I scored the winning touchdown. Three touchdowns in my first ever professional game, my head is spinning.
“We won!” Marcus shouts at me through my helmet. “We fucking did it!”
“We did it!” I start to laugh, not able to think of anything more profound to say, instead just riding the adrenaline that’s coursing through my body, this is a high I’ll never forget.
I look at the stands and see my parents in each other’s arms, along with Jamie and Max too.
Being able to run to them after every touchdown felt amazing, to share this moment with them after all their support made today even more special.
The only thing that would have made it perfect is if Donovan was here, not having him in the stands during the happiest moment of my life feels wrong.
“Come on,” Jordan says, grabbing my arm. “We’ll do a victory lap, then we’ve gotta go and get interviewed.”
“Yeah,” I mutter, “now it’s the hard part.”
“What? That game wasn’t hard enough for you?” he chuckles, knocking his helmet against mine.
We jog around the field; seeing signs and banners with my name on is surreal, the crowd still electric from the win. I stop at my parents for one final hug, and hearing my dad tell me how proud he is brings tears to my eyes.
After we’re showered and back in our suits, Marcus leaves with Coach Matthews for the official podium interview, while the rest of us stand by our lockers, waiting for the press to come in and do the rounds.
The fact that we won should hopefully make this easier, there’s a lot of positives to talk about and I don’t have to explain any missed catches or lost opportunities.
But still, I practice one of the breathing exercises I use before games to calm down, my heart rate is more intense than it was on the field.
Interviewers swarm at me when they’re let in, all wanting an exclusive from the rookie.
“Stephen, great game, can you describe how you’re feeling right now?”
“Honestly, I’m over the moon,” I say, so many cameras are in my face I don’t know where to look. “I don’t think I could have dreamed of a better first game.”
“Fans are already talking about you going all the way to the Super Bowl, what do you think your chances are?”
“Well, this was our first pre-season game, we’re obviously feeling strong and confident, but at this point all the teams will be, we can’t underestimate anyone.”
“Your father is still known as one of the greatest players of all time, how did it feel to have him in the stands tonight? Is there a friendly rivalry between you both when it comes to your career?”
I take a breath and remember Mindy’s training. “Having him and my mom in the stands was incredible, I got my love for this sport from him, and he’s always been my biggest supporter. So no, no rivalry.” I flash my smile at the end, remembering what Mindy said about using it.
“Stephen, you probably haven’t had a chance to see this yet, but during the game, an article was released discussing your sexuality, citing multiple sources that confirm you are in fact gay. What is your response to that and do your coaches and teammates know?”
Gasps and murmurs rise from the other reporters, and flashes from cameras blind me. My smile has probably turned to a grimace. All of Mindy’s training has vanished from my head, instead my heart is practically in my throat, or is that bile, I feel like I’m going to be sick.
“Um… sorry… what?” I manage to croak out.
“Your sexuality,” the reporter says. “Multiple sources have confirmed that you’re gay.”
“I… uh… no, no I’m not gay.” I panic, letting the words fall from my mouth, not knowing what to do. It’s getting harder to breathe, it feels like the reporters are closing in on me.
“So you’re straight?”
“I… um… football, I’m here to talk about football—”