Beck moves the pillow back onto his face, and says “Um…”
His roommate lets out a squawk. “No, really! Why dincha say something before now? I’m kind of offended. And I never call shit gay, and stuff. I know better.”
“Almost never,” Beck mumbles.
“No, really. Never!”
This conversation seems like it’s going to last a while, and all I want is my underwear.
Beck sits up in bed suddenly. “Actually, not true. You and Booger and Martinez were talking on the bus on the way to a Bakersfield game and you literally said, That’s so gay.”
“No way!” Rigsy scoffs, leaning on the doorframe.
“Way. I heard you.”
I sigh.
“Hang on.” Rigsy scratches his ear. “Were we arguing about Lovelorn? That reality show?”
“Probably.”
“Yeah, I was being factual. Brad and Isaac were vibing, and I totally called it. There was a make-out scene in the next episode, too. Total vindication.”
Beck blinks. “Oh,” he says softly. Then he lifts his pillow and covers his face again. “Thanks for explaining.”
Rigsy finally leaves, and I close the bedroom door behind him. “Beck,” I say quietly. “Can you breathe under there?”
“I guess.” He doesn’t move.
“I’m really sorry. I could’ve been more careful about getting dressed.”
He gives a grunt of disagreement. “This isn’t on you, and we both know it.”
I locate my underwear hanging off a dresser drawer handle. I slip them on and sit down on the bed. I put my hand in the center of Beck’s warm chest, spreading my fingers across his smooth skin. “Are you ever coming out of there?”
“I don’t see why I should.”
“Your save percentage will suffer.”
He yanks the pillow away and gives me a grumpy look. “I didn’t think Rigsy would be home before practice. Sorry you flashed him.”
“’S’okay. For what it’s worth, he didn’t really blink.”
“I noticed that.” He rubs his forehead. “I should’ve talked to him a long time ago. He’s not a bad guy. Just had no idea that Come Out to the Whole Team was on my bingo card for today.” He reaches for his phone and starts tapping out a text.
“Wait. What are you doing?”
“Ripping the Band-Aid off.”
Panic grips me. “What does that mean?”
His thumbs move furiously. “I’d already decided that when I finally came out to my team, I would do it on the group text. Just seems efficient.”
Oh God. “Are you sure?”
“Yup.” He gives me a calm glance. “This will only take a second.”
Jesus. I already knew Beck was fearless, but now he’s gaining hero status.
