EPILOGUE #3
“Yes, it was quite the moment,” Chuck says. “And will be a moment the media salivates over—good and bad—for a while. Jed has brought up the possibility of coming out with Jackson.”
Shane’s eyes pop wide, and he spins around. “JJ? Really? I support you one hundred percent.” He spins back around. “I’ll come out too. Just tell me when, where, how, what to wear, what we’re eating—”
Jed squeezes the back of Shane’s neck lightly, and Shane cuts off. A soft blush blooms on his cheeks. “Sorry, bros. Get carried away sometimes.”
“I love the enthusiasm, Shane,” Chuck says.
“And that is why I asked for you in here. But I want you to think hard about this. This isn’t a decision to take lightly, and shouldn’t be made lightly.
Jed and I have discussed this at length.
Jackson too. I’m not sure what discussions you’ve had with your agent, but I don’t want you doing this on a whim. ”
“I can get you her contact information. Wendy. She’s da bomb dot com.
Both she, Jed, and I figured we’d wait until I was called up and then we’d come out.
Still have to broach the whole sleeping with a teammate thing with the Jetties.
But I’m a trust-your-gut, in-the-moment kinda guy.
This feels like a moment. So, I’m down. Plus, maybe it’ll open the door for others to come out. ”
There’s a wealth of meaning in his last words, and I know he’s thinking of Easton and Maddox.
“I wonder…” Jed starts slowly. “If this would give us some trade protection too. My biggest concern is how the Jetties will react to two players being in a relationship. Shane’s my forever, but I can understand how any inter-office relationship could make teams nervous.
The thought of them trading Shane to head off that risk has been in the back of my mind.
Something I’m ready to fight with my team of lawyers. But…”
“But if you two come out, and the Jetties trade Shane after the fact, it’ll look like they did it because you two came out,” Chuck finishes thoughtfully. “It would completely taint the image of the franchise. Especially compared to how supportive Berkeley has been.”
Damn. That’s kind of brilliant.
“JJ, babe, you are devious,” Shane says with a wicked grin. “Playing hardball.”
Jed shrugs a shoulder. “As much as I trust the franchise, I take zero risks with you, Shane. Anything extra I can do to protect you, I’ll do.”
“Likewise, babe. I may be a Golden Retriever, but I have fangs too.” He nods his head seriously. “Ever seen a Golden Retriever when its owner is threatened? Don’t. Fucking. Mess.”
Jed leans in and murmurs something which I’m pretty sure was supposed to be just for Shane. But I definitely heard it.
You calling me your owner, Sunshine?
Shane snaps straight. “Um. Is this conversation over? I need to…show Jed something.”
I choke on a laugh. “By something, you mean your dick?”
“Nah, bro. The something I had in mind involves ass up—”
Chuck clears his throat. “I’m still here, you know.”
My eyes water and my chest shakes as I try to get a hold of my amusement. Shane is truly one of a kind.
“I think that’s a sign I should let you all go…
and celebrate. Send me Wendy’s info, Shane.
I’ll get in contact with her tonight if possible.
We have a lot already in the works because we wanted to be ready for this with Jackson.
We’ll get the Jetties up to speed and then get the ball rolling. Sound good to everyone?”
I glance at Shane and Jed, who are affirming their agreement and saying a few final things to Chuck. It hits me then, like crashing into the back wall when you misjudge the distance and it comes up too fast.
Six months ago, I was so incredibly alone. I walked through a crowded locker room, and not a single person, including myself, cared about me.
Now?
There is a room full of people just beyond this closed office door who love me. My boyfriend. My brother. My crew—most of whom had to fly across the country to be here.
And these two… I can’t believe these two are going to stand up there with me, laying their private lives on the line for all to see. The ultimate show of support. Solidarity.
Does it sound good to me?
Nothing has ever sounded better.
Thank you so much for reading!