“She thinks I’m cute and Sol likes me so I think our chances might be good,” Sam said, and I laughed.
“You guys have to do all the work because Nova and I will only have a lavender marriage,” I said, slurping the last bit of my broth.
“Wait, what?” Sam raised his voice. “I thought you were bi?”
I shrugged. “I thought it was easier to put myself in that category."
“Fuck, did you not feel comfortable with me?” Sam looked hurt.
“I thinkIwas not comfortable with saying it,” I said, looking down at my bowl. “Then I just got mad that I had to come out, like why did I have to come out?”
“I get that,” Forest agreed with me. “Every time I move, I’m always worried because you know how small towns can be, and I did the whole dancing around my sexuality. I’m sure it's like that everywhere, but it gets old having to justify or tell people your sexuality.”
I felt Sam staring at me, but I couldn’t bear to look at him. If he had hidden something from me, I would have been hurt too, but he needed to understand where I was coming from.
“I know what you mean, but you didn’t have to feel that way with me,” Sam said softly. “I mean, I get what it's like to have your sexuality thrown at your face every single time you score a goal and it's exhausting how much my sex life got brought up to my teammates, but I?—”
“Sam, I didn’t feel any way with you, it was just a me thing,” I said. “I hated the whole coming out thing. I guess I was just over it and figured I would just say it in passing, but didn’t think it would upset you.”
“I’m not up—” He stopped himself looking away. “I just want you to always feel safe with me. Both of you, I don’t want you to feel like there isn’t anything we can’t talk about, ok. That's why I’m upset. I always want to be your safe space.”
I glanced at Forest, who looked taken aback by Sam’s words like he had never heard anyone tell him that before. He looked away before Sam could see the look on his face.
“You’re too good for this world,” I said, putting my bowl down to walk to him and sat on his lap. “You are my safe space, both of you are.”
I looked over at Forest who looked uncomfortable and just as I was about to ask what was wrong, he said, “We better open these presents before Jude gets called for an emergency.”
“Good idea,” Sam said, reaching for the red velvet bag he had that looked like Santa’s bag.
Elf played in the background as we passed out presents and Forest’s and my pile were considerably bigger than Sam’s, but he loved giving gifts. Sam watched us with excitement as he made sure we opened our gifts before him, but just as Forest and I opened our first gift, the fire alarm rang.
“Shit,” Sam's face fell.
“Fuck, I’m sorry,” I said, feeling guilty.
“Open this quickly,” Sam shoved envelopes to Forest and I. “Hurry!”
I opened it and out fell an airplane ticket just like Forest’s.
“Sam?” Forest's deep voice sounded concerned.
“I thought we could go on a trip in the next month or two. It’s not a real ticket but pick a place and a date and we can go,” he said, with a big smile. “I’m thinking the beach and somewhere where we need very little clothing.”
My face grew red.
“Plus, I think we deserve some fun,” he said, pulling Forest towards us.
“They also say if you travel well together, that's a good sign.”
I couldn’t help the smile that bloomed on my face. Sam was thinking about the future and that was probably better than any Christmas gift he could have gotten me. I kissed him quickly, excited to go anywhere with them.
“Come on, Judas! Chop, Chop, fairy,” Butler yelled.
I rolled my eyes.
“Did he call you a fairy?” Forest stepped around me.
“He’s an ass,” I said. “He’s got a small dick, and everyone knows it. So he takes it out on the rest of us.”
