Page 58 of Go Deep

And that doesn’t sit right with me at all. I’m not like him.

Once we get up to the Coaches’ Suite, Sam makes the rounds, introducing me to boosters, investors, real estate magnates, and alumni before I finally make my way to the bar. I said I’d come and here I am, my inspirational self, ready to get blasted on whatever booze is available.

I swallow a groan, remembering that my car is in the parking lot.

Okay, one drink before I go back to the hotel and get blasted on whatever booze is available.

“Macallan 25, neat.” I pull out some cash and drop it on the bar when the bartender sets a crystal highball glass down in front of me. The amber-colored liquid goes down smooth. It doesn’t make me numb, and it sure as hell doesn’t make me forget, but it does take the edge off.

“If I didn’t make it clear before, you’re bad for our business. Your agent may have set this whole thing up to get you back into the fans’ good graces, but now that it’s over, you need to separate yourself from Vince Castro.”

My fingers clench the glass tight. I raise it to my lips and take a long gulp before turning my gaze toward Bob. “Why do you hate me so much, Bob?” I straighten myself up to my full height and stare him down. “People who spew all the hate are usually the ones who are the most afraid that people will see through them if they let down their guard. What are you scared of people seeing?”

His face and the tips of his ears turn beet red. “Don’t you dare talk to me like that. All I want is to keep my business interests safe from people like you.”

“Because being gay somehow has the ability to move financial markets?” I roll my eyes and drain the glass before putting it on the bar. It takes everything in me not to bury it in his skull, though.

“I don’t want your kind tarnishing the reputation of what Vince and I have built.”

“Don’t you mean what Vince built with some of your cash?”

“I have a lot of power. Don’t think I won’t use it. As of now, you’re no longer a client.”

I snort. “Joke’s on you. I already pulled my portfolio. If you’d like I can shove it up your ass, though. See how you like the sensation since your intense hate can only mean that you’re hiding the very thing you’re petrified of.”

Bob backs away, but I swear there’s murder in his eyes. Maybe the phone call he threatened me with is to a hitman. God forbid the population of tight-wad asshat politicians in Ohio find out that Vince Castro has a gay client.

I mean, the Dow might plummet into the fucking core of the Earth.

He doesn’t respond, and just as I’m about to tell him to fuck off, a flash of red catches my eye in the mirror behind the bar. My chest tightens, and I clench my jaw so hard, I could crack a molar.

Kim and Vince in the back corner of the suite. Her arm is wrapped around his waist, hugging him close.

Jesus. Is she going to pee on him, too?

Vince looks up and meets my eyes in the mirror. He breaks away from her and walks toward the bar.

Toward us.

No, thank you. I’ve had enough.

Fucking Neil! I hate you!

I push past Bob without a word because if I let the string of expletives spew from my lips, I’ll get my ass kicked out of here. Sam is on the other side of the suite, so I slip out without him seeing. I can’t get back to the hotel fast enough once I jump into my car outside the stadium.

Maybe half an hour passes before I’m at the hotel lobby bar with another glass of Macallan glued to my hand. A thick haze settles over me and blunts the events from this fucking horrible day.

A buzzing sound catches my attention, and I drop my gaze to my phone vibrating on the wooden bar top. Mom’s name flashes across the screen.

She’s going to ride my ass again about getting tested.

I pick up the phone and peer at it, my vision slightly blurred.

My finger hovers over the accept button, angst knotted in the back of my throat.

But I can’t will my finger to move. It’s paralyzed in mid-air because I know I can’t keep avoiding the appointment. And I’m scared as fuck to take that step and hear that the future I want can’t ever be.

After the shit show I starred in today, there’s no way it can be good news.

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