“Mom, don’t be ridiculous. This is just a performance. It’s not real,” Colton said, bewildered by his mother’s antics.
“You’re an NFL superstar! I will not stand by and let you ruin your life…for…forthis!” She gestured angrily at the stage again.
Colton stood in awe, dumbfounded at what he’d just witnessed.
He’d seen intense anger from football fans, and he’d heard stories from Dean and the dancers about horrible, homophobic people when they traveled, but he never thought he would see the day that he would experience such anger from his own mother. The intense fury in her eyes, directed squarely at Colton as her chest lifted and fell after her tirade.
Fear and hurt surged through his heart and his stomach, leaving him feeling sick. He could feel the tears forming in his eyes, but he wasn’t going to give her the satisfaction of seeing him cry. He quickly turned on his heel and exited the room asthe others called after him. As the door closed, Colton heard the room erupt in dissension regarding Mary’s outburst.
Colton squeezed his eyes shut in an effort to suppress the tears as he rounded the corner and slumped against the concrete wall. His efforts were futile, though. He dropped his head and sobbed. How could his mom speak to him like that? She had to know that he wasn’t going to start dancing around in a feather boa, right? The thought was utterly laughable. How could she even think that? She knew him almost as well as he knew himself. That wasn’t in his nature, and she knew that. And what was the fucking problem if he did? If he wanted to prance around in a pair of sequin shorts and a feather boa, then goddammit, no one was going to stop him!
Colton’s tears slowly dissolved into anger. How dare she speak to him like that? He was a grown-ass man, and he could do whatever the fuck he wanted.
Still, the hurt resonated in his heart. His mother’s words upset him. And one thought entered his head…
Dean.
Dean was in the middle of his show, there literally couldn't be a worse time, but Colton needed to see him right away. Dean would help smooth the edges of his rough emotions.
Colton pushed off the wall and did what he knew best. He began to run, around the upper deck, around the stadium toward backstage, toward Dean.
He made his way down to stage level and flashed his access badge to the security guard. Backstage, people scurried around, keeping the show on track. Colton looked around frantically, searching for any familiar faces. He spotted Jax and the other dancers changing into their costumes for their next number, and he rushed over to them.
“Hey, Colton. Are you enjoying the show?” Jax flashed a big smile as he hung his feather boa on the rack.
Colton shook his head. “I need to talk to Dean. Is there any way I can see him…like, now?”
Jax twisted his lips into a grimace. “Shit. I don’t know.” He lifted his chin deeper backstage. “Let’s go find Jordan. He’s the only one that speaks to Dean during a show.”
They found Jordan standing just off stage. Dean was visible behind him, performing to the crowd. All Colton needed to do was simply rush past Jordan, and he could talk to Dean. He entertained the thought for a split second, but he would ruin the show and he couldn’t do that.
Jordan had his face in his tablet, his usual scowl on his face, but he looked up to glare at Jax, then shot a confused look at Colton.
Before Jordan could speak, Colton cut him off. “I need to speak to Dean…now. It’s very important.”
Jordan huffed and began poking at his tablet. “I just sent him a message.”
Colton internally chastised himself over his actions. He was being a needy, petulant little bitch, a complete Karen, demanding to see Dean in the middle of his show. It was a total dick move, but he couldn’t handle this situation alone. He needed Dean, he needed his strength and support, and he couldn’t wait until after the show.
Colton saw the phone light up on the deck next to Dean. Dean looked down at the phone, then quickly looked back to where they were standing. He jabbed at his phone and his response filled the screen on Jordan’s tablet.
“Give me about 2 minutes.”
Dean mixed into a new song, ducked away from the deck, and scooted off stage. “I’ve got three minutes…what’s up?” He stared at Colton with a very worried look.
Colton inhaled, doing his level best to control his emotions, but as soon as he started to explain, the tears began streaming down his face.
“My mom. She saw your dancers and totally lost it…called them dancing fairies…said I was ruining my life. I…couldn’t listen to her anymore. I…I just left…and ran to you.”
Dean pulled him into his chest as he continued to heave and sob, rubbing slow, calming circles on his back. “It’s okay. It will be fine.”
Colton pulled himself together, once again shifting from hurt to anger at his mother’s words. He lifted his head to meet Dean’s gaze. “Can we make our announcement tonight? At the end of the show?”
Dean shook his head. “You’re upset. I don’t think this is the best time to make any big decisions.”
Colton tightened his lips and his resolve. “Nope. I don’t want to wait one more minute. I want to tell the world.” He cracked a slight smile. “And your fans deserve to be the first to know.”
Dean smiled with an uneasy sigh. “Are you 100 percent certain? I don’t want you to regret this tomorrow.”
