“Okay, well, I hope things go well tomorrow. I’ll want an update after the game.”
Oh, shit. My eyes widened. “Evan? Dante wanted to go to The Club on Mill, you know, the gay bar by the stadium?”
“What, after the game?” His breath caught. “What are you going to do? Dante doesn’t know you’re queer.” He paused. “Why would he ask a straight guy to a gay bar?”
If it were Evan, he’d never go. “It wasn’t like he insisted. He asked if I’d be open to it and I told him I was.” I clenched my hand into a fist. What would it be like? I sipped my water.
“Hey, listen, don’t do anything unless you’re ready. This situation might pressure you into coming out before you’re ready. Don’t do it.” He paused. “Unless you’re ready.”
“Yeah, I know.” But did I? I’d almost allowed Tex to tell Dante the truth after he’d come back from the bathroom. I had a lot to sleep on tonight. As a wave of exhaustion rolled over me, I said, “Hey, I should go to bed.”
“Yeah, sure. I’ll speak with you tomorrow. Remember, I want an update after the game.”
“I’ll text you.” With a grin teasing my lips, I said, “Goodnight, Evan.”
“Goodnight.” He ended the call.
With a quick scan of my apartment, I rose from the couch. I had to resist the urge to rearrange my refrigerator in the morning to quell my anxiety. This was a part of my psyche I’d never let Tex in on. It was only between me and my therapist now.
I tookan Uber to the stadium and met with Dante at the entrance we’d agreed upon. This would have been simpler if Evan had been in town and could have come. I spied Dante, dressed in an ASU team shirt, and strode toward him. Was he wearing one of Tex’s shirts? I wrinkled my nose as heat swirled in my chest.
“Hey, Colton. Are you excited for the game?” Dante gave me a quick hug. “I have the tickets.”
“Okay.” I peered at the fit of the shirt on him. It was loose, so it had to be Tex’s. Should I ask him?
“Come on.” He grabbed my hand and led me through the crowd. “You don’t mind if I hold your hand, do you?” He glanced back at me as we plodded along. “It’s just easier this way. I don’t want to lose you in the crowd.”
“No, it’s fine.” I didn’t want to look like an ass and say no. I followed him upstairs to the first level, where the concession stands stood.
“I’m dying for a beer and maybe a hot dog. You?” He stopped in the line of a stand and released my hand.
With a shrug, I said, “Yeah, sure, as long as we don’t miss the kickoff.” Or Tex’s big entrance onto the field. As we stood in line, I eyed the shirt again. Did Tex give it to him to wear?
“We won’t. We have time.” He swayed while peering at the short line ahead of us.
“So, uh, did Tex give you his shirt?” Damn my mouth. A stuttered laugh erupted from my throat.
“No, I grabbed it from his closet.” He held the hem out. “It’s fun, isn’t it? I wanted to show my support and thought this might be a good way to do it.” Tilting his head, he touched his cheek with his index finger. “Don’t you have any ASU shirts?”
I glanced at the grey polo covering my chest. “Um, no.” I should have bought one. Stupid. It would have been nice to wear one of Tex’s, but even if he had offered, it would have swallowed me. But not with Dante…
“Huh, I figured they’d have given you one when you signed up to go to school here. It’s not like tuition is cheap.” He stepped closer to the concession counter as people grabbed their orders and left.
We worked our way to the counter and ordered our beer and hot dogs, and then I followed Dante to our seats, which were the same ones I’d had with Sara, close to the ASU bench.
As I dropped into my seat, I set my beer in the holder in front of me and peeked at Dante, doing the same. I didn’t know what to say to him now.
We’d barely spokenthrough the festivities of the national anthem and the players taking the field, only smiled and clapped. The day was sunny and mild, perfect football weather.
ASU won the coin toss, and before Tex jogged onto the field, he glanced behind him at us with a smile and a wave.
Dante jumped up and down. Cupping his mouth, Dante yelled, “Go, Rowlings. Get those guys!” He sank into his seat and unwrapped his hot dog.
He’d gone to high school with Tex. “You’ve seen a lot of his games.” I peeled the wrapper from my hot dog and bit into it, the salty meat mixing with the soft bread. These were always so good here. When I’d come with Sara, she’d insisted on nachos.
“I have. I went to every one of his high school games.” With a soft chuckle, he shook his head. “You should have seen him back then. All flowing long blond hair and he was the biggest guy on the team. Tall with those broad shoulders…and that ass. Mmm, mmm.” He bumped his elbow on mine as he waggled his brows at me.
Heat threaded through my chest. Could I find a high school picture of him online? “He had long hair in high school?” I took another bite of the hot dog.