Page 168 of Loving the Legend
“Yep.” I snuggle my nose in the crook of his neck to inhale his scent, and he wraps me up in his arms.
“Cool if I meet up with Arnaz to tell him about us?”
I nod, recalling what we discussed.
The night that we reunited, we decided that we were ready to come out to the people we trusted. With all the momentum building from Sid’s and Arnaz’s efforts to bring about changes in the league, it feels like the right time for us. Of course, it takes one slip-up for it to get out to the public, but it’s a risk we’re ready to take. As long as our close friends and family support us, that’s all that matters. I told Sid about my conversation with Adam the night of our fight. How he said that we’re so protective of each other that we’ll fight to keep the ignorance and hate out. Sid replied, “Damn straight!”
“Seriously? I want to respect your feelings about Arnaz and the media garbage.”
“He should know about us. Obviously, I don’t like that he has a thing for you, but from what you’ve told me, he’s been a good friend and teammate. I already deleted my social media apps to give myself a break from seeing pictures and comments coupling you. I’ll get over whatever irritation I feel toward him. If I’m keeping it real, our issues were never about him.”
“No, they weren’t. Still, you have a right to be annoyed. Putting myself in your shoes—it would be a lot for me if every time I jumped online, I saw idiots linking you to another teammate. You know how I get.”
I snort. Sid would try to tear the internet down if the shoe was on the other foot.
He grins. “Shut up. I was never like this before you.”
I roll my eyes. “Uh-huh.”
“It’s true.”
“It’s unnecessary. You’re it for me. Where am I going?”
He smirks. “Stop acting like you don’t like it.”
I grin. No point fronting.
“Back to Arnaz. There’s no need to tiptoe around me with him. I trust that you know how to be careful with him. He has feelings for you, and he's going through a lot.”
“For sure. I won’t ghost or anything. Should I mention that you’re uncomfortable with some of the media attention we’re getting?”
“That makes it about me, though. Are you not uncomfortable with it?”
He shrugs. “It seems ridiculous to me, honestly. Because I am vocal about fighting homophobia and he is an out basketball player, we have to be together? Why? All straight people aren’t attracted to each other.”
“Yeah, but it’s not just that. You’re friends, and as annoying as it is to admit, you’re magic together on the court. He looks at you like you're a championship ring. There have been affairs based on far less.”
He sighs. “I think it’s ridiculous, but I understand what you’re saying about optics. I’ll just mention that I don’t want you to be hurt by all of the misguided media attention our friendship is getting. Cool?”
“I think so. I feel crazy because a week ago, I wanted to hurl a building at him, but today, I’m asking you to be gentle when you tell him.” I slap my forehead.
“Oh babe”—he snickers—“I hate to be the one to tell you, but you've been off your rocker.”
I burst out laughing. "Shut up."
He grins. “When are you back? I want to order takeout, close the shades, and watch movies all day.” He grins. “I wouldn’t be mad if there were a few blow jobs sprinkled in.”
I quirk an eyebrow at him. “Just a few? What do you think is the world record for time spent giving a blowjob? Bet we can beat it."
"So competitive," he says, trailing his thumb across my lips.
"Or we can lazily 69 while watching movies?”
“Worthy endeavors if there ever were.” He massages his erection tenting his briefs and stares at me with hooded eyes and a criminally sexy as-sin smirk.
“Nope.”
“What?”
