“Yeah, maybe. Ned Merritt and the ownership group know, but I’m sure they wouldn’t be thrilled about my past being public knowledge. But if it’s the right thing to do?—”
“No.” Thad pointed at him. “No. You don’t fucking get to throw away this career of yours over some misguided need to fix shit between us. I don’twantit. And if we want to have a better relationship, you won’t do something so stupid.I mean it.”
Gavin sighed noisily and turned his attention to the fire again. “Fine.”
“Hey, asshole,” Thad said after a while, nudging Gavin’s foot with his own. “I guess if youreallydesperately want to tell the team, that’s fine with me.”
He still thought it was stupid but maybe this compromise would help Gavin get over his bullshit.
“Yeah?” Gavin looked almost hopeful at the idea.
Thad shook his head. There was something deeply wrong with his twin.
“Yeah. If it’ll make you feel better or whatever, do it.”
“Yeah, I think it will.”
“So then admit you’re doing it for yourself, not just me.”
Gavin winced. “Yeah, that’s fair. I guess I feel like I need to come clean to the team. I don’t like the idea of them thinking I’m something I’m not.”
“Those guys fuckin’ love you.”
“Yeah, and that’swhyI want to tell them. Because I don’t want their trust in me built on lies.”
Thad nodded. Okay, that part actually made sense to him. “But what if it gets out?”
“Then it gets out,” Gavin said simply. “I’m a big boy. I’m willing to live with the consequences.”
Thad still didn’t love the idea, but he’d stopped Gavin from telling the truth once and look where it had gotten them.
He said as much to Gavin, who nodded.
“Exactly.”
“Besides, once I tell Graham, he might have to lie about shit to his teammates, and I don’t like the idea of him having to do that. So yeah. Clear the fucking air with them and we’ll call it good.”
“Uhh, speaking of Graham …” Gavin ran a hand through his hair. “I am so sorry I forced him into outing himself. I didn’t think that through.”
Thad scowled. “No shit. You acted like adick. But you owe him the apology, not me.”
“Done. I’ll do that tonight.”
They returned to staring at the fire.
“Should we get back in there?” Thad finally said. “I think we kinda ruined the Halloween party.”
“Not likely. I think we put on a show for them.”
“True.” For his own sake, Thad didn’t really care. It was Graham he felt uneasy about.
Gavin stood, his joints cracking as he stretched.
“Jesus, you sound like you’re eighty,” Thad said with a laugh.
“Well, Iamolder than you.”
Thad snorted, shoving at Gavin’s hip. “Yeah, those few minutes really made a big fucking difference.”
