Sal rolled their eyes. “You’re just saying that.”
“I dunno, I’m pretty into those photos of Kristen Stewart where she’s in the jockstrap.”
Sal rolled their eyes harder. “Everyone is.”
“You’re hotter than her.”
“Thanks, Curtis, I really believe you...”
“You are.” His voice was low and sweet as honey. “You’re, like, sharp and soft and pretty, and all your clothes are cool. You’ve got a great look. I’m into it.”
Sal decided to go for gold. “You realise being with me when I feel like a guy kind of makes you gay?”
He shrugged. “Then you’ll be the only guy I’m gay for.”
“Which would make you the first openly gay player in the AFL…?”
“Someone has to be first. Might as well be me.”
Jesus fuck, what was wrong with this saint of an asshole?“You don’t mean that.”
“I dunno. Maybe I’m bi?”
“You arenotfucking bi!”
“I made out with a guy at school.”
Sal felt like the floor had opened up and swallowed them whole. “Really?”
“Yeah, my mate, Marc. We were pissed at a house party, and it just happened.”
Sal gaped at him. “Did youlikemaking out with a guy?”
He shrugged again. “Not really. But I don’t care that it happened. And I don’t care if people think I’m gay. I know who I am.”
Sal weighed this statement in near disbelief. “God, that’s actually… way hot.”
He grinned. “Me kissing a bloke or me saying I know who I am?”
“Both.”
“Cheers. So, try me. Be my girlfriend, or whatever it’s called, and see if I don’t mean everything I say.”
Again, that sharp, slashing feeling. Sal shook their head. “It won’t work.”
“Why? I can’t stop thinking about you.”
“And that’s great. Kind of. But I don’t think I’m ready.”
“You do still date guys, right? Straight guys?”
“My last boyfriend was straight. We were together for three years.”
Curtis’s jaw tightened. “Right…”
It was so petty, the joy Sal felt at his obvious jealousy. But the thrill was too fun to resist. “We’re still friends. He helped me a lot when I was first coming out as an enbie.”
A muscle flicked in Curtis’s cheek. “What’s his name?”
