Page 84 of His Hungry Wolf

Claude’s tired eyes fought to focus on me.

“I know what all of those words mean. Yet I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Claude replied in his froggy morning voice.

“You are familiar with the Hall of Fame game, right?”

“Yeah, it’s the pre-season game they play on the weekend of the NFL Hall of Fame ceremony.”

“Right. And this year one of the players being inducted is someone who played for the Cougars before Papa got there. That means that the Cougars are going to have to play the Hall of Fame game. And since I haven’t been fired yet, it means I will have to attend and go to the ceremonies. You have to come with me.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Claude said hesitantly.

“What? Scared that if people see you with me, they’ll think you’re gay? Instead of, ‘I’m too masculine to have a label,’ or however you identify?” I asked, exhausted from lack of sleep.

“No, of course not.” Claude perched himself on his elbow to look at me. “Do you think I give a shit about what people think I am?”

“Yeah, I do. If you didn’t, you would have given me some reassurance that I wasn’t barking up the wrong tree by letting myself feel something for you.”

“Merri, you’re not barking up the wrong tree. Where is this coming from?”

“I just…” I caught myself and got back on course. “Look, you have to come with me to the Hall of Fame game because there will be a lot of agents there. If I can present you to them in the right way, we can get another invite to the showcase.”

Claude looked at me speechless, then shook his head, reversing course. “I need to go back to something. Why would you think you’re barking up the wrong tree?”

“Why would you say that going with me was a bad idea? You didn’t even take a second. It was like you didn’t want to be seen with me.”

“Merri, I didn’t think it was a good idea because you keep doing these things that make me think that I matter to you, but when I ask you to do something that proves it, you make me feel like garbage for it.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked confused.

“I kissed you, and then you said you didn’t want to talk about it. We had a really good time on the beach and then you immediately said that we should act like it didn’t happen. You know, I used to think that I was the one preventing anything from happening between us. But I’m not the one running from it. You are.

“And now you want me to attend this thing with you? I know you’re saying it’s just for me, to help me. But it feels like more. It’s a fancy event with all of your coworkers and everyone in the industry that you respect. Whatever else it is, it sure feels like a date. But what are you going to tell me when it’s done? That we should pretend the Hall of Fame doesn’t exist?”

I stared at Claude, caught off guard. “I don’t understand. Would you want this to be a date?”

“Merri, I have wanted everything we’ve been doing to be a date. You know all those times when I’ve passed you the ball in practice? Consider that foreplay.”

“I didn’t realize you felt like that.”

Claude calmed. “That might be because I’m not always great at sharing what I’m thinking. But I am now.”

I smiled. “Yes, you are. But, what if people see you at the event and they assume you’re gay. That might make it a lot harder to get on a team.”

“Then fuck football. If football doesn’t want me, I don’t want it. I would choose you any day over a sport that doesn’t want me. You’re what matters to me, Merri. Football’s just a game.”

“That’s really sweet.”

“I don’t know why you keep being surprised by that. I’m a sweet guy,” he said emphatically.

I laughed.

“I guess you are,” I said, staring up at the man I wanted to kiss.

“I’m glad you’re finally realizing this.”

“I am. And now you’re my date for the Hall of Fame game,” I said flirtatiously.

“It’s about time,” Claude joked, making me laugh.

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