I’m left standing at midfield alone. Next on my schedule is thrilling rest, so I head straight home.
When I step out of the car in front of my building, I’m interrupted by a younger guy in a black jacket who seems to be waiting there. He perks up and waves to get my attention.
“Orlando Onassis,” he says, stepping forward and walking with me. “Do you have anything to say about the recent rumors?”
I hesitate, not certain I heard him right. “Excuse me?” I ask, hoping I misheard, but he’s obviously here waiting for me.
“There’s gossip about the person you see every week at the Clarence Hotel. Will you tell us her name?”
Quickly, I try to wrap my head around the situation. That’s the hotel where I see Troy. “There’s no…” I realize that lying is a bad idea. I don’t know what they actually know. “I have to go.”
“Does this affair have anything to do with your recent streaking incident?” the man calls after me as I hurry into the building.
I hitch my bag on my good shoulder and take the stairs two at a time. “Shit, shit, shit,” I say.
We’ve just barely cleared my streaking incident, and now there are rumors circulating about me and Troy. The reporter didn’t seem to know I was with a man, but if someone knows I’m going to the hotel, it can only be a matter of time.
The second I shut my door behind me, I call Troy. I’m not even thinking about the agency. My brain just kicks into action, and I swiftly pull up his name. He answers on the first ring, and I tell him what happened.
“You’re okay?” he asks immediately.
“I’m fine. It’s no big deal. I’ve never had any press at my house, but it’s fine.”
He huffs. There’s a long silence, and I let him think. Finally, Troy talks again.
“I’m sorry, and I’ll take care of this.”
I blink. He’s so confident. Some of my anxiety instantly eases.
“We’ll do everything we can to make sure no one finds out,” he says firmly. “Absolutely no one will know about us. You’re preparing to return to your team and finish out the season strong. That’s what matters. Ignore this, and the agency will handle it.”
“Okay,” I agree, relieved, although I can’t help but have a complicated reaction to his words. We definitely don’t want anyone to find out, except, in another way, a contradictory part of me is starting to want people to know. For there to be something real to know in the first place.
But he’s right. And Troy or no Troy, there’s no reason for me to come out right now, let alone with the extra distraction he would bring as my agent and an older man. Now is the time for soccer. The MLS Cup is around the corner, and I plan to be there.
Another reality grabs my attention like a lightning bolt. “We can’t go to the hotel anymore.”
“Or any hotel,” he says quickly, his voice strained. “Now that you’re doing better, we should keep some distance.”
That one stings. Maybe Troy hears the hurt in my silence because he’s quick to talk again.
“Sorry,” he says.
“Yeah. I get it.”
I think he’s going to say more, maybe offer some clever solution or say that he’s going to miss me, but he doesn’t.
“Come to the office tomorrow. The agency will deal with this tabloid attention. Someone will reach out with a time.”
My heart sinks. We’re back to business, and I should try to take this in stride, but losing our hotel time is a major disappointment in the middle of everything else.
And it’s almost like Troy barely cares.
I’m kind of stunned. I want him to be more bothered. The fact that he’s not makes me hide my emotions instead of blurting them out like I want to.
“Okay. Tomorrow at the office. I’ll be there.”
I hear Troy swallow. “Hang in there, okay? You got this.”
