As fireworks shot from the corners of the field, ASU’s football team streamed onto the grass, the announcers calling the names of the players while the crowd went wild.
“Tex Rowlings, Offensive Guard.” Tex exploded onto the field, pumping his arms in the air and twisting around, his gaze finding us. He saluted and then jogged toward the sideline.
Warmth cradled my heart. Somehow, that stunning man loved me.Me. “I don’t know when I’ll tell my dad.” I’d wait it out as long as I could. “I’ll have to work out a plan with my therapist. He keeps telling me about PFLAG, but I don’t see my dad doing that.”
We returned to our seats as U of A took the field, a smaller crowd cheering for them.
“Has your therapist suggested including your dad in some of your therapy sessions?” He focused on me. “When I spoke with Lucas and Ezra over Thanksgiving, they told me that Ezra’s mother is doing that with him, and it’s helped a lot.”
“Yeah?” I drank more beer. “He mentioned it but hasn’t pushed. I think we need to plan my coming out to Dad first.” I wasn’t sure I wanted to talk about this anymore. “The game is starting.” While holding my beer glass, I pointed an index finger toward the field.
U of A kicked the ball, and ASU’s special teams caught it and took a knee at their thirty-yard line.
After halftime,we led with a score of fourteen to three. Tex had done a fantastic job blocking, and the team had switched from a passing game to a running game, according to Evan.
ASU lined up on their twenty-seven-yard line, and the center snapped the ball.
The quarterback retreated, his head on a swivel, and then a Uof A linebacker burst through, rushing straight for the quarterback.
“Shit.” I stood along with Evan and watched as my pulse kicked.
The quarterback raced with the ball, twirling around the lineman.
As Tex shoved a few of the U of A linemen aside, Malik raced through an opening and twisted around.
The quarterback threw a quick pass to Malik before being tackled to the ground.
Tucking the ball, Malik sprinted toward the end zone, his legs pumping and head held high, blowing past everyone on the field.
“Oh my God, do you see that?” Barking a laugh, Evan hopped up and down. “Dude is going to score. Your boyfriend’s roommate is about to get a touchdown!”
“He is.” As I watched Malik step into the end zone, I jumped and cackled. “He did it!” Turning to Evan, I grabbed both his hands and shook them. “Did you see that?” Touchdowns hit differently when you knew the guys making them. Despite not having met them in person yet, I knew so much about Malik and Grey that it felt like I already had.
Evan laughed. “I did. Your boyfriend has some talented friends.”
As I freed his hands, I said, “So do I. You’ll get called up to the NHL soon. I know you will.” It was time for Evan’s dreams to come true too.
“Yeah, we’ll see.” He winked at me. “I hear one of the D-men with the Coyotes might get traded soon.”
“Really? So, you might play with Lucas Hopkins?” I fell into my seat and picked up my second beer of the night. Evan was such a nice guy. He deserved to have good things happen to him.
“Yeah, we’ll see. I really enjoyed having him as a partner with the Firebirds. We clicked.” He drank his beer and settled into his seat. “Hey, it looks like they might take Thompson outand put Moore in. He’s warming up.” He ticked his head toward the field.
My gaze swung to the sideline and caught Grey cycling on a stationary bike. Tex had said they were in love. Had Malik given up his chance to play out this game so Grey could shine? Devotion didn’t get any better than that. I couldn’t breathe a word of this to Evan though. “Yeah, maybe.”
NINETEEN
TEX (TRAVIS)
After winning Friday night’s game, I attended the annual season-ending team dinner and then went home. The girls Malik and Grey had to date forced them into attending a frat party. I didn’t know how they did it because they must have been exhausted.
On Saturday, I met up with Colton for a nice sushi dinner in Scottsdale, and we ended up back at his place with him topping again. Either way, our connection was solid, and I had been looking forward to him meeting Malik and Grey, except that their double date imploded on Saturday.
So here I was on Sunday morning, watching both of them live through the biggest heartbreak I’d ever witnessed. I’d started cooking breakfast when the fallout occurred. While eating breakfast alone and trying not to pry, I texted Colton. We’d discussed meeting up again today, but I needed to be here for them.
Tex
I’m sorry, Colton, but I don’t think I can see you today. My roommates may be on the verge of a breakup. There’s got to be something I can do to help them.