Page 20 of Changing the Play

Wow. That’s a lot to carry. I reach out a tentative hand, letting my fingers splay across his knee. His eyes follow the motion, and they stay locked on where I’m touching him for a few long seconds before he finally lifts his gaze to mine. “For what it’s worth. I think you’re really awesome.” Ugh. Cringe. “And I don’t think you should change for anyone.”

He blinks at me a few times, seeming to consider my words. “You’re only saying that because I’m teaching you football.”

I pull my hand back with a laugh. “Yeah, you caught me. Now, football? If you tell anyone I told you this, I’ll deny it, but I’m actually enjoying it.”

“Yeah,” he says, nodding. “You’ll have to come see me play. Well, notme, but like… the team. The game.”

I smile. “Yeah, I’d love to come see you.” No point in adding the team because I would definitely not be going for them.

We settle against the couch, and West starts the game up again. This time, he explains everything that’s happening. He breaks down the plays, explains stuff like pass rushing and blitzing, and tells me more about penalties.

He points to the screen. “I picked this game because the defense is about to get a safety.”

“What’s that?”

As I watch the defense sack the quarterback in the end zone, he explains what a safety is, and I find myself leaning in closer to him. He’s captivating. It’s so easy to hear his passion.

I’m completely entranced, finding myself holding my breath as the quarterback throws the ball, disappointment rushing through me when they drop the pass. And when the other team intercepts the ball, I gasp. “Oh no.”

West chuckles. “You’re getting it. I didn’t even have to explain that interceptions are bad.”

He adjusts, and his knee brushes against mine. I try very hard to not react at all, keeping my eyes glued on the laptop screen when he lets it linger there for a second.

I think I might really like football. It’s actually interesting. I wonder if West would want to watch live games with me when they come on. I think he may have made an addict—

“Are you gay?” West blurts out, effectively grinding my brain to a halt.

My head snaps in his direction.“What?”

He turns bright red. “Actually, that’s none of my… forget I even said…” He stops and takes a deep breath. “I’m sorry. That was wildly inappropriate.”

I study him for a second. “No. It’s okay.” I move until my leg is no longer touching his. “I am, yes.”

His eyes flick to mine, but I can’t read him at all. “Oh.”

My stomach somehow sinks and twists around itself at the same time, making me instantly nauseous. “Oh,” I echo. “Should I… do you want me to leave?”

He shakes his head vehemently. “No. Shit. No. I’m sorry. I… it doesn’t bother me. I don’t mind. I was just… curious.”

Curious. About my sexual orientation? Why? That doesn’t make any sense. “Why?”

He swallows hard, his throat bobbing up and down. “You said the football pants thing and then I started wondering what you meant by that, and then I don’t know, really. It’s not obvious or anything.”

I have to bite down hard on the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing. “Obvious?” I ask.

His eyes widen. “That sounded bad. I don’t mean—It’s not like… fuck. You just don’t…”

Thisis the real test of my self-control right here. “I don’t look gay? Is that what you were going to say?” I ask, letting the start of a smile creep onto my face.

He nods, but he looks miserable about it. It’s kind of adorable watching him flail a bit. Especially given how self-assured he typically is. “I have to ask—why does it matter to you?”

“It doesn’t,” he answers quickly. “It was just the cookies, and then the football pants.”

The…cookies?I’m really not sure I’m following.At all.“What about the cookies?”

His cheeks turn red. “Nothing. Forget I said anything about the cookies. I just got curious after you said the thing about the pants.”He groans, letting his head fall back against the couch. “I’m so bad at this.”

What even isthis? “I hope you’re better on the field than you are in random social situations.”

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