But he didn’t wake up. The nightmare was real, and he had to break the news to Dean.
Colton gathered his things and drove home slowly, working through the best way to tell Dean.
He entered the loft with his heart in his throat. Dean milled around the kitchen, working on dinner, singing to himself.
Cocoa scampered over with an excited yip, welcoming him home and looking for some love. Colton smiled half-heartedly and gave her an ear scratch. “Hey, little lady.”
“Oh, good!” Dean scurried over to Colton, wiping his hands on a small towel. “I can’t wait to show you the suit I got for the MVP awards.”
Colton heaved a heavy sigh. “Dean.”
Dean scooped up a garment bag draped over a chair at the dining table with an excited smile. “It’s Tom Ford, and it will look great next to your suit.”
“Dean, I have to tell you something.” He felt as if his heart was being ripped from his chest.
Dean began unzipping the garment bag to show Colton, not really listening. “I saw it this morning and just knew this was perfect for the ceremony.”
Colton grabbed his hand. “Dean! You can’t come to the ceremony.”
“Wait…what?” Dean’s face dropped. “Why not?”
“The Commissioner and the Board of Trustees said I can’t bring you, because you’ll be 'a distraction'.” He could see the disappointment crossing Dean’s face.
Dean paused, clearly dejected, then slowly began to zip up the garment bag. “Well, I still like the suit. I think I’ll keep it.”
Colton felt a knot in his stomach. There’s no way he could go to the ceremony and sit there looking happy knowing that Dean wasn’t allowed to attend. He grabbed Dean tightly. “I’m so sorry, baby. I’m not going if I can’t bring you with me.”
“The fuck you aren't!” Dean stepped back. "You’re going to win the MVP award, and you’re going to be there to accept it. I won’t be the reason you don’t get to accept your award.”
Colton rapidly shook his head. “I don’t want to go without you. I can’t go without you.”
“Well, you are,” Dean snapped and pressed a finger into his chest. “You deserve this award, and you’re going to accept it. Just know I’ll be watching you on TV, undressing you with my eyes.”
Colton laughed and pulled Dean into a hug. How did he get so lucky? Even in the face of bigotry, Dean was still a shining light of positivity, and he still made him laugh. “I love you so fucking much!”
“I love you too.” Dean squeezed him closer. “Now, let’s pull your outfit together. You’ve got to be the best dressed MVP ever.”
***
Award shows were fucking boring! Why did anyone watch them?
Colton shifted in his seat, trying to maintain comfort through this seemingly endless ceremony. If Colton wasn’t nominated for MVP, there was no way in hell Dean would be watching this crap on TV. And that made Colton smile, just a little.
Throughout the broadcast, the camera showed Colton, morose, sitting alone amongst his teammates and their wives and dates.
Occasionally, the cameras showed Taylor and Travis, looking all lovey dovey, and the epitome of a proper, straight power couple.
Finally, after way too much fluff and bullshit, the time came for the biggest award of the evening, the MVP award. There was a video montage of footage of all the nominated players.
After the montage, the Commissioner walked on stage to present the award…
“And the award for the Most Valuable Player goes to…Colton Merrick.”
Colton stood with a half-hearted smile, shook a few of his teammates’ hands, and made his way to the stage.
As he slowly ascended the stairs, with the Commissioner waiting to present his trophy, he remembered a much happier time.
He had been the number one overall pick in his draft class three years ago. He was bursting with pride as he walked down the tunnel and took the stage, not because he was the number one pick, but the fact that he'd been picked at all. The Commissioner had presented his team jersey with a warm smile, gave him a bone-crushing hug, and welcomed him to the league. It was one of his most cherished memories.
