“Oh. Then yeah, that helps. Thanks.”
“No problem,” I laugh.
“How was practice today?”
“Slow. I’ll be glad to get on the plane tomorrow to head to Tampa.”
“You, Mr. Homebody, are looking forward to a work trip?”
A laugh bubbles out of me. “If you can believe it.”
“Did I break you, baby?”
“In more ways than one,” I tell him. “Life will never be the same again. But I’m thinking that maybe it’s a good thing.”
“Is it?” Jesse twists his lips, like he’s not sure he agrees. “I feel like I’ve screwed up your whole quiet, peaceful existence.”
“You shook it up for sure. But it was necessary. I didn’t realize how empty my life was before I met you, and then before I met you again the second time.” I smile.
“But now you’re practically in hiding, having to distance yourself from my chaos.”
“Well, about that. It seems like these people are going to be relentless. And maybe it’s not ideal, but…”
Jeesh, why is my heart beating so fast? Like I’m about to start confessing everything to the whole world right away.
Jesse’s brow is furrowed with worry, so I decide to rip the bandage off. “Maybe I should come out.”
“What?!”
“Maybe I should come out. Or at least stop hiding.”
“Luc, you can’t let them bully you.”
“We could look at it that way, but I’m thinking of it as a push in the right direction. I’m giving them power by caring what anyone else thinks of me. If I let them take it from me and expose me, then I’m letting them make news and publicity out of my life. I’d rather do it on my terms and not give them the chance to make a big story out of it.”
“So you want to…”
“I want to be spotted with you in public. On purpose. Holding hands or hugging.”
“Luc, have you really given this enough thought?”
“Why are you trying to talk me out of this when I know you want it, too?”
Tears slip out of his eyes, and he looks off to the side, wiping them away and laughing.
“I’ll talk to Blake and the PR team. If you’re okay with it, of course. They can help us plan something that will give you the best optics.”
“That sounds great. I just need one thing from you.”
“What’s that?”
“Come home with me for Thanksgiving? Well, technically the two days before Thanksgiving because I have to be back in Shreveport Thursday, but I think I should give them a heads up, and I’d like them to meet you.”
“Really?”
“Yeah really.”
“I’ve never met anyone’s family before. Should I be nervous?”
