Page 36 of Provoking the Punter

She gave him that little smile as if she was letting the lie slip past. “Okay… but I’m sure you would like to be able to date someone?”

Oh my God, she was referring to Chester.

“I don’t know… I’ve never considered being an out player.” Assuming he was still playing come Monday. Maybe by then he’d be a retired player, because he could guarantee no team would touch a gay player with a scandal hanging out of his pants like used toilet paper.

“I think you need to consider it.”

“I will.”

“Expect another meeting next week.”

Garrett nodded. Then they’d tell him what was going to happen and how it was going to happen, and he’d nod his head and agree if that’s what kept him playing.

Not that he was playing.

He figured his odds of ever dressing for a game had halved again.

“Thank you.”

“I haven’t done anything yet.”

“For listening.” For not recoiling in horror. “It felt good to tell someone.”

“How many other people have you told?”

There was no point in lying. “I told Chester last night.”

He saw the flicker of victory in her eyes, as if his admission proved her suspicions correct. “He knows how to play the game.”

“He knows nothing about football.”

“I meant the media game. You need to learn how to play.” She pressed her lips together. “It wouldn’t be a bad thing for you to be seen at Bathtubs.”

“Say nothing, but let people guess?”

“Perhaps. Leave it with me for a couple of days. Don’t do anything.”

Garrett huffed out a breath. “I am not in a rush to do anything.”

This wasn’t what he had planned, but then he hadn’t made any plans. Coming out was always something that would happen in the distant future. Except the distant future had rushed towards him and slammed him to the ground, leaving him gasping for air while trying to assess potential injuries.

On his way back to his room, he texted Chester.

I told her everything.

And the world hadn’t ended. It had done that already. He just hadn’t realized he’d been scrambling around the ruins, trying to put it back together as if nothing had happened. He needed to stop and assess and make a new plan, as the old one no longer worked.

He was brushing his teeth when Chester replied.

I’m proud of you <3

He almost choked on his own spit. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had said that to him. Or if they ever had.

And he didn’t know how to reply. So he didn’t.

CHAPTER

FOURTEEN

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