Page 35 of Serve
“I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve this. I treat everyone fairly, I’m…”
“C’mon, really? You know as well as I do who has it in for you.” She cut him off. He stared at her blankly for a moment, then it struck him who it might be. He laughed nervously, and blurted out his name.
“Scott.”
“Yes, I also think it’s Scott. We don’t have any proof, but he’s the only person I know who hates you enough to pay a photographer to spy on you. Now, I need to ask you an uncomfortable quest…”
“Don’t tell Chip. Let me do it.” Tyler interrupted.
“Of course, I wouldn’t dream of it. What are you going to do about him? Send him home?” She asked, aware he was avoiding the topic of his former coach. Tyler stood, realized he was in the hotel dining room and not his home and sat down again. He drummed his fingers against the table for a few seconds, then spoke.
“You have noticed I’m on a winning streak, right?”
“Yes, you’ve been playing the way you did when you won slams. The whole agency is excited for you.” She said.
“I can’t send Chip home to Hidden Creek, because he’s the reason I’m winning.” He leaned forward in his chair, then back, fidgeting. He was incapable of sitting still, his body in fight or flight mode,
“Tyler, I know tennis players are superstitious, but he’s not a good luck charm. He’s human, and right now he’s capable of inflicting major damage to your career.” She sighed, got up from her chair and went to pat Tyler’s back. He flinched, then said in a low voice.
“I’m winning for him. It’s not superstitious, and I don’t think he’s a good luck charm. I love him, Sania.” His eyes grew soft, and she sat back down across from him.
“Honestly Tyler, my hands are tied. I don’t know what to tell you. If these pictures see the light of day, you will have to come out. In fact, you’ll be outed, because they leave nothing to the imagination.”
“I don’t think Scott wants to show them, otherwise he already would have done it. I mean, do you really think people will want to see…?”
“No, Tyler, nobody of importance wants to see this, but the scandal mongers out there will have a field day. People who’ve never thought about you before will suddenly have you on their radar. Liberal folks will bash you for staying in the closet, and conservatives will be horrified by your so-called deviant lifestyle. You will be put under a microscope, every nook and cranny examined. Financially, expect to take a hit too, especially if you are outed by someone else.” She took a deep breath and shook her head. “Tyler, this would be so different if…” Her voice trailed off.
“What? Finish what you were going to say.” His dark eyes narrowed into slits.
“Okay. We have two options here, and all we’re doing is considering one of them. That you will be outed by someone without your consent, and that there will be a huge scandal and you’ll lose everything.” She said.
“What’s the alternative?”
“You could always out yourself.” Her gaze focused on his, determination building in her voice.
“What! Why? It’s such a risk.” He said, voice rising.
“There is an upside, potentially. I mean, c’mon, gay marriage is legal now. It’s easier than ever for athletes to come out.” Sania shook her head slowly back and forth.
“It’s easier for women athletes to come out, not men. We’ve seen that happen…” He said, then Sania interrupted him.
“The Olympics featured out of the closet gay men who not only braved the press, they grew their careers because of their openness. They are raking in cash through endorsements. I don’t think you’ve ever considered the money you could make by coming out.” She stated. Tyler’s mouth dropped open, stunned by the thought. Sania allowed her words to sink in for a moment, then continued.
“You’re overthinking this. If you want to come out, and still make great money, I think it’s doable. Five years ago, no way, but now you can.”
“It’s not just about the money Sania. You know my net worth, and I never have to work another day in my life. It’s about the game, and it’s about being the best athlete I can be. How are the other players going to react? Are they going to give me the cold shoulder in the locker room? Will they worry that I’m trying to hit on them in the showers? How will I be able to compete like that?” He groaned. The waiter entered the room, refilled their water glasses and left. Tyler’s brain went in a different direction, and now he knew the most important consideration must be addressed first.
“It’s not just about me, Sania. I have to keep Chip’s needs in mind too. Will he want to be out to the entire world? I feel horrible just thinking about it. He had a private life until he met me. Now he’s on the verge of being famous, not because of something he’s done, but because of something I am. Nobody deserves that. I, I think I’m going to send him home. Damn it, I need him here, but I can’t put him through this.”
“You’re right, if you want to save Chip from exposure, you need to send him home.” She said. Tyler looked to the ceiling, then back at her. He felt cornered, his choices becoming narrower with each passing second.
“What I started to say earlier, is that Chip is the reason I’m winning. When I see him in the stands watching me, I play harder for him. I don’t want to lose with him watching. I’m winning trophies because he’s there. He inspires me. How can I send him home?”
Sania scooted her chair next to his and took his hands in hers.
“This is the point where I need to step away. You have a lot of decisions to make, and you need to involve Chip. I am your agent, and I’ve informed you of your options. I would like to talk more about coming out, if you don’t mind?” She said. Tyler stared blankly into the space over her head, then nodded for her to continue.
“If you are the first, major athlete to come out in tennis, you will be exposing yourself to a lot of harm, but you will also be doing a lot of good. The potential is there not only to help others, but also to build a business outside of competition. You would become sought after by the media to give your opinions on sports and social issues. This would lead to more paid work on television. Your experience as a grand slam champion and a gay celebrity would be unique. The LGBTQ market is big, and growing bigger every day. Seriously, coming out could potentially provide you with the same level of income you enjoy now, if not more. Your ability to do good things with this exposure would increase. You know, there is something I’ve been meaning to talk to you about for a long time, but never have.”
