Taylor was happy that Fletcher was able to reach this epiphany, but selfishly he envied the fact that being gay in the NHL would be a hell of a lot easier for Fletcher than it would be for him.
“So, what do you think?” Fletcher asked him.
“I think it makes a lot of sense,” Taylor told him. “Being the first openly gay NHL player in the league could probably strengthen the Armstrong name. I’m sure even your dad would be able to see it that way if we handled things properly.”
“You think we should tell him?” Fletcher asked.
Taylor shrugged. “We could let him milk the hell out of it. It’s not like it’s the eighties or something. Nobody cares if you’re gay. Nobody worth worrying about, anyways.” Taylor took a second to think. “You could come out to him. Mention an exclusive interview with Variety or something. Make him think it’s his idea. If we spin it the right way, then you very well could be the first openly gay player.”
“You too,” Fletcher told him innocently. “I don’t think I could do it without you.”
Taylor could feel tears filling his eyes. He turned his head away so Fletcher couldn’t see him. “You know I can’t,” Taylor said sadly. “We both know it’s not the same.”
“Taylor…”
He turned his head to look at Fletcher, figuring it made no sense to hide himself from him. Not from the man he wanted to spend his life with. “I’m nobody,” Taylor reminded him.
“That’s not true. You’re the fucking best, Taylor. Sure, wewere brought up differently. I recognize that I was awarded a lot more privileges. I know it isn’t fair. I fucking hate it, baby. But you’ve made a name for yourself. Everyone in the league knows your name. You were rookie of the fucking year.” Fletcher wiped a tear from Taylor’s cheek. “You were nobody, but now you’re not. You did it. You made it to the top on your own goddamn merit, my love.”
“It means the world to me that you can see and acknowledge that. Really. But I don’t think it’s that simple, sweetheart.”
Fletcher nodded slightly as if he was trying to let everything settle inside of him. Then he shook his head. “No.”
“What do you mean ‘no’?”
He shrugged. “I’m sorry, but no. I won’t accept that.”
Taylor lowered his eyebrows. “Are you trying to solve racism right now?”
“First openly gay Native American NHL player. In the world.” Fletcher poked Taylor in his chest as he said it.
“I’d say bisexual,” Taylor corrected him. Fletcher just rolled his eyes.
“Make history with me,” he said seriously. “What’s the point in coming out if I can’t be open about who my partner is?”
Taylor swallowed. He did have a point. A really good point, actually. “You really think it could work?” Taylor was going to consider it. It was worth a shot.
“Really. We’re going to take control of the narrative and exploit it for our benefit.”
Taylor smirked. “You sound just like Sean Armstrong.”
“I’m taking that as a compliment,” Fletcher smiled as he leaned down to kiss Taylor. “We’re going to spend our lives together, Taylor. Let it be on our terms and no one else’s. I’m not taking no for an answer.”
Taylor may be the one who took control in the bedroom, but he loved the way Fletcher was taking control of this. Of their future together. It meant the world to him. “Okay,” Taylor smiled at him.
“Good boy,” Fletcher grinned. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
40
The Upgrade Game
“This steak is pretty good,” Taylor said later that night. They ordered steaks from Fletcher’s favorite steakhouse to go and were sitting on the carpet in Fletcher’s studio apartment.
“I’m embarrassed I don’t have a table or chairs in here,” Fletcher admitted.
“Our home will have all of those things. And more.”
