Page 12 of Scoring the Player
“Thanks, Tom. It’s been tough, but so many people behind the scenes helped me rehabilitate. I’m grateful to each of them. It felt amazing to be on the floor with my teammates again. It’s good to be back.”
“Salem, Erica from ESPN. You tallied five blocks, six points, a steal, two rebounds, and three assists to help the Lions clincha W, 117–102. What do you think was the secret sauce behind today’s win?”
“We got great stops and played to each of our strengths. Cillian made a huge splash in the fourth quarter, banking seventeen points, twelve assists, and four blocks. He’s amazing. Ezekiel guarded the rim ferociously. Zyair was one assist away from a triple-double with eleven points, ten rebounds, and nine assists. I mean, I could go down the line. I’m proud of the guys.”
“Salem, Sloan from NBA TV. You’re coming back from an injury to play in a league with an openly gay basketball player. What do you think about Arnaz Cade and Sidney King’s actions to promote inclusivity in the league for gay players?”
I grin and take a beat to formulate my response.
I think it’s the best thing to happen to the league. Imagine if we could enjoy all the perks of our straight teammates, who often have their spouses and kids in the stands. Imagine if we could be out and not have that be the focus of our story as professional players.
Then there’s Blue and his kaleidoscope eyes that resemble light-grazing ocean waves. Handsomeness wrapped in a golden-brown complexion, plum-colored lips, a perfect five o’clock shadow, and a sinful, though rare, smile. You take my seasoned interest in him and the fact that he’s gay, and, well, damn—I have a lot of feelings about that.
“Sloan, I’m proud of the work they’re doing, and I stand in solidarity. It shouldn’t matter whether a player is gay or straight, but for some reason, it does, and that’s a problem. I have no tolerance for homophobic speech or behavior.”
As the words leave my mouth, it hits me—a way to shoot my shot with Blue!
Nah, it’s too out there.
But, I mean, wasn’t bold always the plan?
I rub my neck.
This could go one of two ways. One’s great and gives me a shot with the literal man of my dreams, and the other…eek. Everyone will know I took a shot. It’d be mortifying. I once read about a government black site somewhere in the Arctic Ocean. Maybe I can hole up there for a decade until…Okay, I sound scared again.
Is the AC broken?I swipe the beads of sweat lacing my hairline.
Yeah, okay, I’m definitely scared.
Is it my scared or rational voice?
Does it matter?
It’s Blue.
Blue!
Okay, okay…
Argh…here it goes…
I clear my throat, ignore the tap dancing in my chest, and lean into the mic. “But on a more personal note, I’d like to know if Arnaz is single ’cause I’d really like the opportunity to shoot my shot.”
I flash Sloan a smile.
Like a blown fuse, the buzz in the room wipes out as my admission registers on the faces of the reporters. Then, a backup generator kicks in as a burst of frenetic energy careens reporters out of their seats, competing to ask the next question.
“I’ll take two more questions!” I yell above the excitement. “How about you?” I point to a guy with theBrooklyn Daily News.
“Thanks, Salem. Are you coming out as gay right now?” He has to shout his question to be heard over the fray.
I plaster on my best shocked face. “I have to be gay to like him? Shoot!” I frown. “Nobody told me I had to be gay to like a guy.”
Sloan’s jaw drops.
“Can I just be gay for Arnaz?” I ask, looking into the camera.
I let the question sit unanswered. The energy in the room teeters close to combustion from the suspense. It’s like I’m doing the equivalent of screaming “Fire!” in a crowded theater.
