Coach peers at me from behind his desk.
“Absolutely, sir. I won’t disappoint you.”
“I know you won’t.”
Turns out, you don’t get to be a homophobic piece of shit and keep your place on the team.
Coach stands, holding his hand out across the desk. I reach out to shake it. “Thank you for the opportunity.”
He nods. He’s the no-nonsense type, older, with a beer gut and a balding head, but he’s fair, and though he pushes us hard, he’s also a good guy. Easily one of the best coaches I’ve had. “Work hard for me and do your job. That’s all I ask.”
“Will do, Coach.”
As soon as I leave the office, I pull out my phone to text Ben and Parker.
Me
i’m sorry I’m running late. got called into a meeting with coach after practice and didn’t have time to tell you.
Parker
No worries. See you soon?
Me
on my way now.
I make my way quickly across campus to the art building, and as soon as I step through the doors, I search for Ben and Parker. It doesn’t take long to find them, huddled together in the corner, heads together and deep in conversation.
My heart thumps. They are gorgeous together. I should probably be jealous of that. I’m not. I can’t be. I just want to be involved. I haven’t been able to hang out with either of them since the other night at Parker’s.
Ben had a test he needed to study for, Parker was busting their ass to finish up their paintings—claiming that Ben and I had distracted them too much to get them finished sooner—and I was mostly sticking to my dorm and trying to avoid talking to my mother.
That kiss with Ben made things too real. Too real to deny. I like him. But… Ben was right. I also like Parker. Parker kept sending us memes and funny videos in our group chat, but outside of that, it’s been quiet, so I’m not really sure what to expect as I walk across the room.
Parker sees me first, and their eyes light up. My heart thumps again. They nudge Ben’s chest with the back of their hand, and his eyes light up much the same way when he sees me.
I’m starting to fear for my health with these two.
“Hi,” I say as soon as I’m close enough for them to hear me. “I’m sorry I’m late.”
Parker shakes their head. “It’s okay. I’m not sure I could have handled all four of you looking at my paintings all at once.”
I glance around, confused. “All four of us?”
“West and Darcy just left. You just missed them.”
Oh. “Well, that sucks.” I glance around at all the exhibits. “Will you show me yours?”
Parker nods, then swallows hard. “Yeah.”
I’m not used to seeing them like this at all, and something about it has my heart warming. It’s different… them being shy and blushing. Normally they’re so vivacious and full of life. “Are you nervous?” Ben asks softly.
“Yeah, a bit,” Parker whispers.
I smile. “I’ve already seen some of your work, remember?”
Parker blinks at me in confusion for a second, then bursts out laughing, causing several people to turn and look at them. “How did I forget about that?”
