“You’d be correct.”
“I cleared my calendar for the possibility. I’ll meet you there.”
Forty-five minutes later, with Ethan at my heels, I was led into Armi Winters’s office. Hayden was there, as well as Coach and Felix Amaro, the Kings’ legal counsel. Nausea rose again from my stomach. We sat at the conference table, facing each other. Armi began.
“While I wish you’d come to me, I understand why you decided to speak first on Dev and Brody’s show. I want you to know that we have no intention of doing anything differently next season. You’re our franchise quarterback, and that’s not changing.”
Relief flooded me, and tears stung my eyes. “Thank you. It’s been very difficult, as you can imagine. I’m hoping that after the initial media circus dies down, only my play on the field will matter.”
Armi’s smile was a mixture of sympathy and grimness. “I’m hopeful too, but don’t count on it. Just know that the Kings plan to stand by you. If you feel unsafe and need additional security, we’ll provide it. We plan to put out a statement today supporting you, reiterating that you are an integral part of the Kings organization, our franchise quarterback, and that nothing’s changed.”
Coach spoke next. “I wish you coulda come and told me. Did you think I’d feel differently about you?”
“I wanna be honest and say I didn’t know you well enough. I admire you as a coach, but those of us who’ve hidden such an important part of our lives learn to live with a certain amount of mistrust.”
“I got your back, son,” Coach stressed. “Don’t ever doubt it.”
“Thank you,” I whispered.
With the meeting finished, Ethan and I left and stood on the sidewalk outside the building. “That went well. The Kings are a class organization.” Ethan pulled out his phone. “Call you a car?”
“Yeah, sure. Fallon’s waiting to hear how it went.”
A sedan pulled up, and Fallon appeared at the window. “Going my way?” He grinned, and I shook Ethan’s hand.
“Catch you later. Thanks for everything.”
“If anyone can do this, Patrick, it’s you. Give no fucks and keep winning.”
I winked. “I plan to.”
I joined Fallon in the car and kissed his cheek. “Hey. This is a nice surprise.”
“I wanted to be sure I got here in time, so I messaged Hayden to tell me when the meeting looked as though it was about to break up. He gave me his number during the postseason and told me to keep in touch if I ever needed anything.”
I took his hand. “They were great. Armi will make a statement that they stand behind me, and Coach was there too. Total support. I haven’t checked my phone yet, but tell me. How bad is my social media?”
Fallon made a face. “About fifty-fifty. Some people praising your courage and grateful you came out while you’re still playing. Others calling you the usual—queer, fag, all the fun stuff you expected.”
I listened with half an ear as I checked my phone. Rio was the first to text.
Guess I know now why you were so bitchy about me calling it gay shit. Sorry, bro. Not gonna lie and say it doesn’t seem weird, but you do you. Hope we’re still cool.
That was better than I’d expected from him. My next message was from Milo.
Props to you. With you all the way.
And Troy.
Dude, what? You fooled me. Still better be your favorite receiver.
The rest of the messages from the team were all supportive. I clicked on the one from Harte McKinney.
You’re brave. Much braver than I could ever be. It was great playing with you. You’re gonna have an amazing career.
“Wow.”
Fallon stopped checking his phone. “What?” I showed him Harte’s text, and his brows rose. “Do you think he’s gay or bi?”
