“Thank you all. I love you.”
***
Colton
A couple days later, Colton walked into the media room for his weekly press conference. The room was packed to the rafters with reporters and photographers. He’d bet his entire salary that half those bozos didn’t know the first thing about him, his team, or the game of football. They were only there for the latest juicy story.
He inhaled deeply, took a seat at the table, and leaned into the microphone. “Alright, let’s get started.”
Colton nodded at a reporter in the front row for their question, “Have you spoken to DJ DVLN since the golf tournament?”
Inwardly, Colton rolled his eyes.Here we go.
“Of course, he's one of my best friends. We speak almost every day.”
Colton nodded to another reporter.
“So, what happened at the golf tournament doesn’t bother you?”
Colton sighed and leaned into the microphone. “This is all I’m going to say on the subject, so listen carefully.” He swept the room with a leveling stare which he hoped delivered the message that he was supremely over this shit. “As I said before, Dean, or DJ DVLN, is one of my best friends. I invited him to participate in the tournament with me. He played two amazing rounds of golf and raised an insane amount of money for the children’shospital. But I guess no one is really concerned with that particular fact. I scored a hole in one, and Dean was incredibly excited and proud…we both were. That's it.” Colton took a breath and remembered how great it felt when Dean hugged him after his ace.
“What you witnessed was a celebration between myself and my best friend. It's you, the media, who decided to turn that friendly celebration into something dirty and unseemly. And quite frankly, it’s nauseating. Now, because of you, my friend is being bullied on his own social media. Because of you, my friend is afraid to leave his home. And because of you, my friend feels we can’t be seen together, for fear of what might be said or written about it.”
Colton took another deep, steadying breath.
“I’m going to ask you to make this right. Stop portraying Dean as some type of predator. He’s not. He’s the kindest, most trustworthy and loyal person I’ve ever met. And I’m proud to call him my friend. I hope you will all take my statement and clear up this terrible mess you’ve caused.”
Colton swept the room once more with a stern gaze. “Now, let's talk about football.”
Chapter 22
Dean
Dean sat on the roof listening to music, having a cocktail and enjoying the views of the bay…the blue skies, fluffy clouds, and tranquil waters, boats floating lazily in the harbor. San Francisco gets a bad rep for its weather, but it was beautiful and sunny, even a little warm.
Colton was coming over for dinner, but Dean just couldn’t bring himself to leave the view…
Dean: Hey! Door is unlocked. Come on in. I’m on the roof.
When Colton arrived on the roof, he waved and walked toward Dean, but Dean noticed something odd…
“Wait, are you limping?”
Colton winced. “Yeah. It’s no big deal. It was a rough practice and my feet are killing me. And I rolled my right ankle.”
“Shit! Here. Sit down, let me grab you a beer.” Dean scrambled toward the cabana to grab a drink for Colton.
“Thanks, man.” Colton dropped into one of the chaise loungers by the pool and Dean handed him a beer then stood over him with a concerned look.
“Want me to rub your feet?”
Colton barked out a laugh and looked at Dean. “Oh…you’re serious?”
“Yeah, I’m serious. I’ll rub your feet if they hurt.”
Dean saw the wheels turning in Colton’s head, probably asking himself if it was weird or appropriate for friends to do this.
Dean laughed at Colton's inability to speak. “I’ll take that as a yes.”
