“Oh, hell yes. I can’t wait.” He threw his arms around me in a squeezing hug and kissed the side of my head. In my ear, he whispered, “I can’t wait to show you off on campus when we get home.”
FOUR MONTHS LATER
The semester raced past, consumed by my thesis, Tex’s training and studies, and his combine travel. I’d heard nothing from Sara, and I’d been too busy to keep in touch with her. The football game with my father had indeed been a bonding experience, and it had helped that we’d spent time with him between Christmas and the game. My dad was still learning to accept that my partner was a man, but football gave us common ground from which to work from and he’d mentioned several times how proud he was of me and Tex.
With April well underway, draft picks and graduations lie ahead. On the first day of the draft, Grey and Malik had contracts with New York teams. But Tex had attracted significant interest from the Denver Broncos, whose pick occurred today.
We planned a party at Tex’s house with Evan, Malik, and Grey. They’d all met each other when we’d watched a Coyotes NHL game at the Varsity Tavern, with me wearing Tex’s jersey. I’d gotten a lot of looks and smiles that day.
I drove into Tex’s driveway in my car with Evan and stopped. “Okay, we’re here.”
“Can’t wait. This is exciting.” Evan held a bottle of champagne. “Dude, I still can’t believe you’ll be leaving me for an NFL player.” He patted my thigh and leaned in close. “I’m happy for you, though.”
“Thanks.” I killed the engine before meeting him on the pathway to the front door. Soon everyone would leave this house behind. Grey and Malik would head to New York, and hopefully we’d have Denver as our new home. As we stepped onto the entry, the door opened wide.
“Babe, come on in.” Tex planted a hard kiss on my lips and then stepped aside.
“Here, I brought you this.” With a warm grin, Evan handed Tex the bottle.
“Oh, thanks, man.” Tex patted Evan on the back as he stepped inside.
Grey and Malik jumped from the sectional, greeted us, and then Malik brought the champagne into the kitchen. “Should I open it now?”
“No, don’t jinx it.” Tex paced back and forth in front of the kitchen island, chewing his thumbnail.
“Dude, sit down. You’re driving me insane.” Malik scoffed and set the champagne inside the refrigerator. “You know they’re going to pick you.”
“Yeah, nothing’s in stone though. What if some other team surprises me?” He stopped with his gaze landing on me. “Sorry, did you guys want a beer?”
“Already on it, Tex. Go sit down, please.” Malik grabbed two beers from the refrigerator and handed them out to me and Evan.
“Thanks.” I snatched Tex’s hand and stopped his pacing while Evan sat at the end of the sectional. “Babe, it’ll work out. Relax. Come and sit down with me.” I’d never seen him sonervous. I pulled him along to the couch and dropped in the middle with Tex falling in beside me.
“Where’s my beer?” Tex scanned the open beers on the coffee table.
“It’s this one.” With a sharp laugh, Grey slid a beer toward Tex. “Listen to your boyfriend. You’re getting a contract today.”
“Yeah, but following talks with the Broncos, I looked up houses and activities in Denver and now I really want to live there.” He drank a few gulps of his beer.
“You shouldn’t have done that. It’s a sure way to jinx it.” Evan opened his beer can and sipped it.
“Evan, keep your superstitions to yourself.” I slapped his thigh. Hockey players could drive themselves crazy with that shit.
“Okay…” Evan arched a brow at me.
We watched a few picks come in on the television in silence, and then they announced Denver would be next.
“Watch your phone.” Malik pointed to Tex’s cell, resting on the coffee table.
“Jesus, this is makingmenervous now.” Evan tapped his finger on his beer can, making ticking noises.
“Stop it.” As my pulse jumped, I wrapped my hand over his, stopping him from tapping.
Tex’s phone went off like a foghorn blast, buzzing, alarming, and flashing with lights.
We all jumped and yelped.
“What have you done to your phone?” I stared at him while he fumbled with it. That was not his normal ringtone.