Both Taylor and Easton have spent years hiding who they are for different reasons. They needed the lie to protect themselves.
I can’t imagine how hard it must have been for them. I have loving, supportive parents who are loud and proud about who they love and who they are.
Not everyone is lucky enough to have that kind of life.
Taylor deserves to be happy, and so does Easton.
My gaze drifts back to the field where he lines up for the next play. The game goes on, and the Silver Knights are killing it.
I can’t take my eyes off Easton. He’s playing like a beast tonight, and after what I’ve heard about him beingoffduring practice during the past few weeks, I’m glad to see he’s back in his groove.
Because my attention is on Easton, I don’t see what happens next. The crowd lets out a collective worried sound, and I search for the source.
Roland is on the ground, and my dad and the ref are rushing over to him.
I jump to my feet, as my stomach fills my throat.
Worry consumes me, and I’m jogging down the bleachers before I even know what I’m doing.
I might not want anything more with Roland beyond friendship, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care about the guy.
He’s hurt, and I feel like shit, because Easton isn’t the only one being avoidant. I’ve been keeping my distance from Roland because while I might not feel anything romantic between us, Roland does. He sent me a text message the night after Halloween asking to meet up.
We went for coffee, and that's where he confessed his feelings and asked if we could be something more.
I was taken by surprise and in a moment of panic I told him I’d have to think about it. He has texted me a few times since then to check in, and like the chicken I am, I told him I was busy with school and would get back to him later.
My head has been in chaos, and I just don’t know how to let him down.
He’s a good guy and deserves better.
My dad and the ref help him over to the bench. From the looks of it, he hurt his knee. Fuck. This isn’t good.
“Are you okay?” I ask as he’s helped down to the bench, and the paramedics rush over to start looking at his knee.
“I’m fine.” He gives me a smile, but it’s more like a grimace. “I’ll be okay, babe.”
Babe?Fuck.
Swallowing the guilt, I force a smile. “Don’t lie to me.” I laugh. “You're in pain.”
“Maybe a little.” He lets out a curse as the paramedic prods at his knee. “But I know something that would make me feel better.”
There’s a lot going on around us, and the noise makes it hard to hear him. I lean in and bring my face close to his so that I can hear better. “What's that?” I ask.
I should have seen it coming, but maybe I’m too naive, because Roland grabs my face and pulls me in for a kiss.
My eyes widen, too stunned by him taking me off guard to pull away.
Roland is kissing me. In front of the whole stadium. People clap and cheer us on.
I pull back with a frown, my cheeks heated with embarrassment. He grins. “Sorry, but I’ve missed you, and that's exactly what I needed.”
I don’t know what to think, or what to say. The paramedics get him on a gurney and strap him in.
“I’ll text you later, okay?” he says. “I’ll keep you updated.”
Not sure how to respond, I nod slightly and watch as they wheel him away.
