Page 157 of Loving the Legend
“They have to keep me humble somehow.”
I cross my fingers to stop myself from jinxing things. My basketball skills are slowly coming back.
“Look, I’ll make this quick.” I perch against his desk. “What I’m about to say needs to stay between us. Can you do that?”
“Of course, man.”
Just rip the bandaid off!
I rub my sweaty palms against my thighs. “I’m gay.”
His eyes go wide. “Um…oh…wow.”
I jump to my feet. “Fuck. I knew you knew already. How?”
If I hadn’t spent two seasons with him, I might have bought the somewhat believable acting.
He grins. “Don’t be mad. It’s just you never seem interested in the endless pussy conversations in the locker room or on the road. You show up with hickeys but refuse to tell us anything about it. You seem really uncomfortable whenever we prod. You turned down every lap dance on your birthday. You actually seemed kinda turned off by the idea. I wasn’t sure, but I had a feeling. Idris and Tevin kind of guessed too. But we’d never ever say anything. We got your back.”
“I need to sit down.” I fall into his desk chair. “Y’all know?” I ask in disbelief.
“Kind of…maybe Malik too, but that’s all. I swear. I’ve been trying to find a way to tell you for a while that I’m safe, you know, if you needed someone to talk to, but I also wanted to respect your privacy. It’s the same for the other guys. Sid kind of kicked the door open, and it finally gave me a chance to speak up in the locker room.”
I feel like such an idiot wasting so much energy to hide when they knew all along.
I clear my throat. “So, you’re really cool with me being gay?”
“Fuck yeah! I hate homophobes. My favorite cousin is bi, and my nephew is gay. The little dude was bullied last year in school. My sister, bro-in-law, and I went up there, met with the parents, and dealt with it. It changed him, though. He’s in therapy now, but I wish there was more I could do.”
“Man, I’m sorry. That’s rough.”
“Yeah, but it makes what Sid and Arnaz are doing that much more important. My nephew loves basketball, and seeing out players will make a difference. It's only a matter of time. That generation ain't fucking around."
I grin. "Word."
"Tev, Idris, and Malik are cool too. If you ever want to come out, we got your back. Real talk.”
“Dude!” I shake my head. “I need a drink…or ten.”
“How about a hug? Bring it in.” He opens his arms.
I shake my head as I climb to my feet.
When we separate, he asks, “Are you gonna tell me about your secret boyfriend?”
I laugh and pat him on the shoulder. “I think that might be enough secrets for one day, but soon, I promise.”
“I’m a patient friend. Ready to roll?”
“Yup,” I reply, shaking my head again.
I pickup my phone to text Sid about coming out to Kaleb, but then I freeze, remembering our separation. The lightness that I felt just a moment ago turns to lead. I scroll through social media instead and freeze when I see Arnaz and Sid’s names trending.
“You look like my kid when we force him to eat anything other than pizza and mac ’n cheese,” Kaleb says, returning from the bathroom.
“Sid and Arnaz made this year’s Time 100 list of the Most Influential People in the World!”
“Get the hell outta here. That’s boss,” Kaleb says, reaching for the dinner rolls.
