“I thought about what you did at the bar all those weeks ago.”
“Well, it will certainly have a good impact on everyone in the park, and with all the selfies we took, it should be pretty great.”
“You’ve been working on your speed,” I say, amazed that he’s keeping up with me.
“And I promise you, the extra leg muscles will benefit the both of us in other ways.”
And now, all of a sudden, I can’t focus on running.Blood rushes to a part of me that I really wish it didn’t right now; thankfully I’m wearing dark joggers.
“You will have to show me soon,” I say despite needing to change the subject.I adjust myself and pick up the pace, leaving AJ behind, “but you will never be quite as quick as me.”I put on the afterburners and let the wind run through my hair.
A few moments later, and he’s caught up with me, only a little out of breath—I’ll give him that.
We stop outside a small cafe inside the park, and as soon as we enter all eyes are on us.I hate the fact that I kinda like the attention.
AJ leans into me and whispers into my ear, “Just smile and act friendly.”His warm breath tickles my cheeks, and it stirs a flurry of butterflies inside my chest.
I grunt at him.
We’re shown to a table in the corner and slightly out of the way, but that doesn’t stop the hordes of people clamoring around our table, taking selfies and asking us to sign shit.It’s fine.I have coffee.More importantly, I have AJ sitting opposite me, smiling like a Labrador.I don’t know how he manages to stay cheery despite all the crap we’ve been put through, well mostly him.
During a moment's respite, I pull out my phone and despite my better judgment, I check social media.I’m not at all surprised to see that we’re both trending around the world.Pictures of us smiling together—with and without fans—have been shared thousands of times, mostly with positive things to say.I manage to find the bad comments, but let them wash over me.When the walls start to close in.I think of AJ and covertly stroke his leg with my own.My anchor.My friend.My—well, he’s my everything.
We spend a good few hours in the cafe, and AJ does his “put everything on my tab” schtick again, much to everyone's delight.Honestly, how anyone can even hate him is beyond me.People must have rocks or mush for brains.He has the kindest heart and the warmest soul.Fuck knows what he sees in me.
A Pair of Screamers!– AJ & Kyle Spotted in Park & Give Out Free Ice-Cream!
Whole Latte Love!AJ & Kyle Pay for Lucky Punters Drinks for Two Hours!
Best Friends?AJ & Kyle Seen Together Again Despite On-Going Case!
Dynamic Duo – England’s Top Strikers Jog Together and Pay for Ice-Cream & Latte’s for Hundreds of People on a Blisteringly Hot Day.
We’re winning them over.I don’t want to get ahead of myself, as this could all change in an instant, but so far so good.Since that day, AJ has spent every free day he has with me, and it has been perfection.We’ve baked—poorly—"healthy choices” lemon cake, watched many—shite—rom coms.Conclusion, the shittier the better, and in the evenings, we’ve shared a bed.Waking up next to him is a feeling I will never get used to, and something I will never feel that I deserve.
All this good stuff has made today utter wank, though.We both have away games in Europe.And what makes this worse is if we both win, we’re in the final…against each other.AJ is currently beating me in Europe by one goal, and I’m beating him in the English league by four.
“Good luck in your game tonight, I guess,” I say, giving him a nudge in the ribs as we stand by the front door, our luggage in tow.
“You too.Try to keep up with my goals.”He plants a kiss on my lips and smacks my ass.
“Honestly, you two!It will be nice to be rid of you for at least an evening.You’re like horny teenagers,” Trish says, sounding exasperated.I think she loves it, really.
“We’re just making up for lost time,” he says, giving my ass a firm squeeze.
“I wish you’d make up for it out of the way of the front door and when we’re not on a schedule.”She looks at her watch, and I’m reminded of my dad, which then reminds me of the ticking time bomb that is coming out to them before we tell the press.
Fuck.I refuse to let the walls close in.I pull AJ into a deep hug, and he kisses me on the forehead.
“Thank you,” I say to him in a small voice.
“For what?”His eyebrows knit together in confusion.
“Everything.”He kisses me on the forehead again, and we leave the house in two separate cars heading to two separate European cities.
The weight of it all drags me down as I’m getting ready for one of the biggest games of my life.Coming out to my parents, the whole world, and trying to be the best version of myself to AJ, while being a role model to people around the world.It all feels like a weighted blanket, forcing me into place.
“The wheels are sick, though, nice custom job.”Timbers, our left midfielder is saying to Colten, the center back, who is more style than substance.In fact, as I listen around the room, not one of them is talking about the game or tactics.It’s all social media this, insta followers that, fast cars, how many women they’ve shagged.
