Page 89 of Off the Rim
"What was going through your mind when you heard your name called?"
"Everything and nothing at the same time." That gets some more laughs. "I froze for a moment, thinking all of this couldn't possibly be real. I never imagined I'd be up here."
"Who or what motivated you along the way to keep pushing you to get to this point?"
Marcus raises his eyebrows, eliciting more chuckles from the crowd. "Smooth," he says, and laughs. "A lot of people were integral to my journey. My mom and my cousin have been my biggest supporters always, through all the ups and downs. My dad—” He stops, swallowing deeply as his eyes grow glassy, and places his hand over his heart, on top of the tattoo he got for his dad after he passed. "He's always with me." There isn't a sound in the room, nor a dry eye that I can see. Marcus sniffs, smiles, and tilts his head to look back at me. "And of course, my boyfriend. I wouldn't be sitting here today without his influence."
"Are you disappointed that he didn't enter the draft with you?"
"No, of course not. I fully support Ashton's decision to follow his own path, and I'm proud of the big things he's going to do in the world."
"Marcus, since Gene brought it up, I have to ask—You've been very open about your sexuality and are one of the very few openly gay athletes in the NBA. What does this moment mean to you as you begin your professional career?"
Marcus looks at the smooth reporter who opened this line of questioning. "Thanks, Gene," he snarks, earning him another burst of laughter from the pressroom.They fucking love him.
"My mama taught me to be gracious and thankful for every opportunity I have in this life, because they can so easily slip through our fingers. I amthankful that the Hornets' staff and coaches are being so welcoming and supportive, because we live in a world where something as petty as my sexuality could mean I'm passed over. I wish I didn't have to feel that way. I wish it wasn't a topic of discussion at all. Who I love, how I identify, my orientation, none of it has any bearing on who I am as a person or a player. I'm not any more or less open about being gay than a straight player is with their relationships, I'm just living my life as fully and authentically as possible. I shouldn't have to hide, and it shouldn't matter."
There are a few low murmurs, and I notice some appreciative nods. I have a feeling there were a lot more questions regarding his sexuality, but Marcus has managed to gain their respect enough that they move on to more relevant questions about his plans for moving to Charlotte and how he hopes to integrate his versatile skills to contribute to the team's dynamic.
Next to me, Carl snickers. "She saidversatile."
I snort out a laugh. "She has no idea."
Carl high fives me. Julia elbows me in the ribs, and I snort, accidentally getting the attention of the back row of reporters.
"Sorry. Uh… Pollen," I rasp, holding back tears of laughter.
Greg hands me a tissue. Coach Burke reaches from the row behind me and smacks the back of my head. I probably deserved that.
"Jeeee-suswhat a day," Marcus says, flopping down on the hotel bed. It's not as fancy as the last hotel we got put up in, but it's still pretty nice. I wanted to pay for an upgrade to a suite, but Marcus stopped me. He said I needed to watch my privilege. Whatever that means. I'm about to watch my privileged dick sink into his ass.
"How does it feel to get everything you didn't know you wanted? A fifty-million dollar NBA contract with your top choice team, to be named the press favorite NBA draft pick, and a super sexy, rich boyfriend."
His eyes are closed, but he grins. "You think being rich has anything to do with it?"
I let out an exaggerated sigh. "Fiiine.Your super sexy boyfriend that has no gag reflex?"
"That's better," he says, groaning as I lift his legs, one by one, and remove his shoes.
"Well?"
"Surreal and overwhelming, mostly. I don't think it's quite sunk in yet."
"It hasn't, has it?"
"The ink isn't even dry."
"Well… let me show you this, then." Plopping on the bed next to him, I pull out my phone and open my email.
Marcus lifts up on his elbows, taking the phone when I pass it to him. His nose scrunches. "What is this?"
"AJames Enterprises’ new operations office," I say.
"Wait, did your dad?—”
"Signed everything without protest," I confirm. "Not only that, but he held a special meeting and fired the entire board of directors."
"Holy shit, can he do that?"
