"Don't want 'em. Don't need 'em to be happy. Next excuse."
"You don't want themnow, you mean." Oz flicked his fingers dismissively. "But you'll change your mind one day, and then — "
"You gonna 'change your mind one day' and start dating women?" Logan asked pointedly, even though he already knew the answer.
"No." Oz glared.
Logan just shrugged. "I mean, if you do, count me in, but…" He spread his hands.
Oz hummed unhappily, frowning.
Logan leaned in, bumping their shoulders together. "If you want kids, and for some reason Ichange my mind, and we get to that point, and a million otherifsfall into place? Then there's… I don't know, adoption or something, I guess. Because if I have to have them, then you better be part of the deal to suffer right alongside me and make it worth it. But until then? Not the problem you think it is. Definitely not enough to make me give you up."
"Okay, but… what about your football career?" Oz asked. "Being an out queer athlete can't be easy."
"Whatfootball career?" Logan snorted. "Have you ever done the math on how many college football players there are vs open spots on the professional teams? Lemme sum it up for you: not a lot. I'm good enough to play ball for the school, but I've no chance of going pro. I'm here to get my business degree, and then go get a job selling houses like my mom or something."
"Not coach?" Oz asked, surprised. "With your dad — "
"Nope," Logan interrupted loudly, cutting Oz off and popping the 'P'. "Best example I can think of to keep me away from coaching, actually. But not all of us are chasing a bowl ring, is what I'm saying. I'm living the best years of my football career right now, and I'd like tofullylive them, right? Because then…who knows? I've had it beaten into my head my whole life: 'The best defense is a good offense.'Well,I'd rather be living life on my own terms like Danny than sneaking around as if it's shameful, hoping I don't get 'caught' for something I've no problem doing. Coach is always on us to think of ourselves as role models. What kind of role model would I be if I'm lying to everyone? Lying tomyself, pretending to be someone I'm not?"
He glanced over at Oz's profile, deciding to make a final run at the goal.
"Can you imagine how differently things would've played out between us back then, if I'd had a few role models who stood up and said,'I'm queer, and I play sports. And it's okay if you are, too.'?"
"There's out queer athletes," Oz murmured, but there was a thoughtful tone woven inside.
Logan rolled his eyes. "Yeah, and they've always been easy to find and well respected, right? You don't think they could use just one more standing behind them?"
Oz looked down at their joined hands, where they lay resting across the seam of their thighs. "Rule Six, then," he whispered.
"Huh?"
"Our deal: I'm invoking my right to make a Rule Six."
Logan swallowed. "Okay. What?"
"When you come out," Oz said, and Logan was gratified to hear he'd finally dropped the 'if'. "When you come out, you have to promise it'll be on your own terms. That you can't let anyone — me, or Ashton, or someone on your team — you aren't allowed to let them make the decision for you. Big or small, soft or loud, tomorrow or never at all; you have to swear it'll be in your own way, Logan. That… that you won't let anyone else take your choice away."
"So I just… what, go downstairs and announce it to the whole dining room during dinner?"
Oz fidgeted, then sighed. "It's up to you. Personally though? There are options less confrontational than that. I'll help you in any way you like, too."
"So…" Logan took Oz's hand in his. "I could stroll down to the dining room for dinner, holding my boyfriend's hand?"
Oz flashed him a quick, shy grin. "You could. Is…that what you want?"
"I… don't know." Logan considered it, but… He shook his head. "No. You said they were putting dinner away, so there's no point. And I don't think going, 'Hey, everyone! Stop fighting over the last roll and look at me! I fuck dudes!' is the way I want to do it anyway."
"You're right. You should at least wait until Mr. Gideon brings the dessert out," Oz said, eyes glittering with mischief. "But I suppose it's up to you. Just know that I will be using you as a personal shield if another food fight breaks out."
Logan chuckled, then sobered. "So, you really wouldn't mind being part of it?" he asked. " I won't lie and say that wouldn't make it easier, but… You wouldn't feel as if I was using you as a prop?"
"Tell you what," Oz began in a downright sultry voice. "I'm in — dinner declarations and all if that's what you want — and you can make it up to me later while I clean the mash potatoes off your face."
"With your cock?"
"Naturally."
