Page 60 of Offside Attraction

“And what about your friend?”

Jordan blew out a breath. “Mmhmm. Later in the draft than me.”

Ethan grinned. “So that’s what this story is? You’re going to tell me how your friendship got all strained because you were a badass and your friend was jealous?”

Jordan looked straight at Ethan. "No. Around the same time, I slept with his girlfriend."

Ethan's jaw dropped. He stopped fidgeting with his cup.

Jordan paused, letting that piece of information sink in before continuing. "I messed it up. We’ve never talked since. Then I got injured, and our lives took different paths. Sometimes I wonder?—"

"I tried to kiss him." Ethan raked a hand through his hair, then dropped his eyes to the table, his mouth pressing into a hard line.

Jordan’s mouth hung open. He blinked. "Tried to kiss . . . Jace?"

Ethan nodded. "We were at a party. It was late, and we were playing cards in the basement." He shook his head. “I don't know, man. We were friends, you know? But then something changed—” He cut himself off and glanced around the restaurant. His pulse pumped fast and hard in his neck.

“Hey.” Jordan put out a hand and rested it on his arm. “I don’t care whether you’re gay or straight. You’re safe here, okay?”

The kid looked like a caged rabbit. Slowly, his shoulders started to sag. Ethan's eyes met his for a split second before darting away. "I don't know. I just—I started thinking about things. Things I hadn't thought about before. And then, one night, we were at a party, and . . ." He trailed off, his fingers resuming their nervous dance on the cup sleeve. "I didn't know I was . . . into guys or whatever until six months ago. It was just a mistake."

Jordan nodded, trying to understand. "So, Jace didn’t appreciate that."

Ethan nodded, his eyes fixed on the table. "Yeah. I thought he was into me, too. I was wrong. He freaked out."

Jordan leaned back, giving Ethan some space. "Has he told anyone else?”

Ethan shook his head. "I don’t think so. None of the other guys have said anything.”

Jordan read between the lines. They didn’t say anything, but he knew exactly what that looked like in a locker room. Showers. Jace was probably avoiding him. Making sure Ethan wasn’t checking him out while he changed. He’d seen it a thousand times. No words needed to be spoken for someone to feel like a pariah.

“Have you told your parents?” Jordan asked. He’d never asked Ethan about his religion, but he knew church was a thing for his family. Ethan only went to fifty-percent of his Sunday games.

Ethan shook his head, then he gave a wry smile. "My parents would be supportive. I just . . . I haven't figured it out yet."

Jordan nodded, his chest tightening. It was possible this kid was more mature than he was. He opened his mouth to speak, then closed it again. He didn't have any experience to draw from. Any advice to give.

"Well, Jace is a dick."

Ethan laughed out loud. “Yeah.”

Jordan chewed on his cheek, the image of Rhonda rushing out of his apartment suddenly playing on repeat. “Or he’s just scared.”

Ethan’s smile slipped a bit. “Yeah.”

“Probably doesn’t know how to handle this any more than you do.” Jordan’s hands started to sweat.

“Isn’t this the part where you tell me what to do?”

Jordan chuckled. “Weren’t you listening? You shouldn’t ever take advice from me.”

Ethan picked up his coffee and lowered his voice, mimicking Jordan in coach mode. “You should talk to your parents and have a heart to heart with Jace instead of skipping practice like a douchebag!”

“Nice.” Jordan picked up his coffee and stood. “Maybe you should give the speeches from now on.”

“Oh, yeah. I’d be a boss.” He stopped by the door. “Wait, who’s running practice?”

“Greg.”

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