“Yours was?”
He sighed and laced his fingers together on the desk. “They had hopes I’d marry a woman and have a family. They went so far as to try and keep Roe and me apart.”
The soft smile indicated that the attempt was unsuccessful.
“But you’re married.”
He held up his finger and wiggled it to show off his ring. “We are. Happier than ever and thinking of starting a family.”
It was obvious how deeply in love Ezra was with his husband. “How did you get them to come around?”
Instead of answering, Ezra left his chair and joined me in the second chair in front of his desk.
“You’re asking an awful lot of personal questions, Dev. Is there a problem with me being gay and representing you? I’ve never made a secret of my sexuality, and I didn’t expect it to be an issue for you.”
A simple question that I only needed to answerno. But I didn’t want to. Heart pounding, I rubbed my face with my hand and said the words I’d kept under wraps. “I-I’m gay. And it’s been hard as hell living in the closet. Aside from my PA, and my boyfriend, you’re the only person I’ve told.”
Stunned by my confession, Ezra’s green-gold eyes searched my face. He rolled his chair closer to me and took hold of my hands. “Thank you for trusting me. You know you can tell me anything, Dev. I’ll always keep your secrets, even if I wish I didn’t have to. But in the sports world, especially football, I understand why you’re keeping it to yourself.”
“It’s been so fucking hard,” I whispered, almost in tears. I brushed at my lashes. “Some tough-guy image, huh? Who’d think I was the hard-partying Devil Summers if they could see me now?”
“Fuck that shit,” Ezra blasted out. “I hate how people equate sports with manliness. Don’t fall into that trap.”
I sniffled, wiping my eyes with the heel of my hand. “Yeah, I guess so. But I can sure as shit guarantee that the endorsements would dry up. Am I right?”
He nodded. “Yeah, I’m sorry to say. I think a lot of them would. And I’m not telling you to come out publicly. That’s a decision you and only you can make.” His face cleared, and a slight smile tugged up his lips. “You have a lover…a boyfriend. I’m glad you don’t have to go through this alone.”
I met his eyes. “I do. But I’m not willing to talk about him. He-he’s also private about his personal life.”
“Understood. Just know I’ll always be your safe space. And regarding the benefit you and Brody want to get involved with, it’s a good one. I checked into the shelter—they’ve taken in many homeless youth and young people who’ve got no place to live due to losing their jobs, medical bills, or their families turning them out because of their sexuality. Sometimes they assist entire families.”
“Great. I’m glad. I’ll let Brody know we can go ahead.”
Ezra leaned back in his chair. “How’s it been, living in the country? Must be a shock to a city boy like you. Nice for you to hang out with your best friend.”
Was he fishing for information? I didn’t think so, but even if Ezra guessed, I trusted him to keep my secret—mine and Brody’s. And thinking of how I’d left Brody, in our bed, sleepy-eyed, hair tangled and my marks all over him, I couldn’t wait to go home to him. Being without him these few days only exacerbated my loneliness. I should’ve been able to visit my parents, but after their last text, I couldn’t. So I didn’t.
“You know what? It’s a whole lot better than I’d have expected.” A thought popped into my head, but before I talked to Ezra, I had to speak to Brody. “I have an idea, but I can’t talk about it until I check a few things out.”
Ezra’s eyes crinkled shut with his laughter. “Nothing I like better than a mystery. Call me when you’re ready to let me in on the secret.”
I gave him a hug. “I will.”
I had to get home to Brody and tell him what I was thinking. Hopefully, we’d be on the same page.
Chapter Seven
Brody
Momma always told me impatience wasn’t a good look, but dammit. Four days without Dev, and I missed him. Before he’d come to stay with me, I’d gotten used to the silence of my house and being by myself. Now, I woke up in the middle of the night, and there were no feet tangled up with mine. No big arms holding me close. No kisses or laughter across the table.
It sucked being alone.
Finally, the plane landed, and I waited for Dev to appear. I knew he’d sat in first class and only had a carry-on, so he’d be out first. And there he was, of course talking to people with stars in their eyes. Always there for the fans, he stopped and took pictures with them and signed autographs. He glanced up and spotting me, pointed, and next thing I knew, we were together and surrounded.
“Welcome back,” I murmured as we stood and people took out their phones. “You’ll have to wait to get home for a proper greeting.”
He winked. “I’m counting on it.”
