Page 74 of Choke Up

"Rodgers! Are you bringing your boyfriend?"

I bristle slightly, not sure if that was meant to be a jab or not. I haven't had to face this yet, because technically I haven't actually come out or anything like that. By keeping our relationship a secret, we've had the benefit of no outside pressures or judgment. But I guess word got out about the fight with Tripp. And I suppose there's the way Ellis jumped into my arms and kissed me. That would probably confirm any lingering questions.

Trying to keep the tension out of my features, I turn around to see who said it.

Someone else chimes in. "Yes! Little E has to come! He's our good luck charm!"

A few of the guys chatter on about what a cool guy Ellis is. I'm cutting my eyes around suspiciously, waiting for a foot to drop. Elliot takes it all in stride, even asking if they know about Ellis’ upcoming art exposition that's open to the whole school. Elliot never saw some of the bullshit that took place when he turned his head in middle and high school, but I did. A lot of it I put a stop to, quietly and without attracting attention. But I never missed how fake people were to Elliot's face. These guys actually seem genuine.

"Wait," Johansen says. "You and Ellis are really a thing?"

I turn completely around to face the room, and everyone goes silent.

"Is that a problem?"

"Maybe for him," he says, grimacing at the lower half of my body. I'm not the only butt-naked dude in the locker room, but I am the only one giving the room a full-frontal display.

Someone snorts. Elliot coughs. And I crack up despite myself. The locker room erupts in laughter, aside from a small group of guys on the opposite side of the room who are giving each other loaded looks. Tripp is back there with them, of course, and I hear him say something under his breath, although I can't make out the words.

"What's that again, Landon?" I say, loudly enough that everyone tenses.

Tripp levels me with a glare, and then turns it on Elliot. He and Elliot used to be friends, so I don't understand what his hang up is.

"Just wondering how Elliot feels about his little brother being a butt slut for his best friend?"

"Ellis is actually two minutes older than me. He can take care of himself. You're just jealous because he didn't want your tiny dick."

A chorus of "oooohhhhhs" rings out, and Tripp turns so red he's almost purple. He's given a wide berth as he storms out, but the moment he's gone, everyone goes back to their normal jackassery.

I suppose I’ll still have to deal with the assholes in the back, but there will always be haters no matter who you are or who you’re with. And it's possible that being out in the open with Ellis will affect my future and potential to go pro. But I don't think fame and success would mean shit without having Elliot and Ellis by my side. My best friend and my boyfriend.

Boyfriend. What a mindfuck.

By the time we make it out of the locker rooms, most of the stadium is empty. Our parents, and Ellis, are waiting near the exit. We're all supposed to go out to eat before the three of us head back to the hotel for the party. Technically, Ellis isn't allowed to stay in the hotel with us. He's been sleeping on the pullout couch in the suite his parents are sharing with my mom during the series. But I have a feeling no one will say anything about Ellis staying with us tonight. Besides, it's not like the three of us haven't been sharing rooms for most of our lives. The only difference is that Ellis will sleep next to me instead of his brother, and he'll be getting poked because I have no control over my dick. I mean, sometimes it just finds its way inside him just to sleep. Who am I to deny it a warm cave to sleep in?

But I could behave for Elliot. If only to prove to him that things can be normal-ish.

Probably.

My eyes rake down Ellis' body.

Okay, maybe.

It’s a good thing I have different plans for tonight.

He's wearing black skinny jeans and an open Howler's Baseball jersey over a white crop top. The back of his jersey says, "Little E". The team got it for him, and he didn't even get mad about the nickname. He wore it to every game of the SEC Tournament. It might have made me love him more.

He turns around and his face breaks into a wide grin, popping the dimple in his cheek. He runs over to us, hugging his brother before taking my hand and pulling me in front of our parents.

"Yeah, so, um… I'd like you to meet my… boyfriend."

I tear my eyes away from his to look at my mother first. She looks almost amused, eyebrow raised. Mama Hope is beaming at us, because, as a general rule, she's delightful. Mr. Hope looks somewhere between annoyed and chagrined.

"Fine," he says, pulling his wallet out of his back pocket. "You win," he says, passing my mom a twenty-dollar bill.

"We should have accounted for inflation when we made that bet," she says, tucking the bill into her pocket. Then she smiles and gives me a hug. "You were so impressive out there, Gabriel. I'm sorry I haven't made it to more games."

I hug her back, a little shell-shocked at the quick turnaround in the conversation. "You were here tonight. It means a lot, mama." I kiss her on the head because it always makes her laugh. Must be weird to have your kid tower over you and weigh almost twice what you do.

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