Page 46 of Rocking the Receiver
Handing me a cocktail napkin, he shrugs. “Truth is, even after Elliot saidhewas gay, I had no clue howyouidentified. I figured you were straight because of Sally, then assumed you were bi because of Elliot. But you just said you’re gay… Not that it makes a difference to me, but were you ever in a relationship with Sally or did you make that up?”
I wince. Hearing her name doesn’t hurt as much as it used to; I’m not quite over it. “I never lied to you, ever.” Another gulp of liquid courage. “Well, I lied by omission and led you to believe what was convenient for me at the time. I am gay. Always have been and always will be.” Memories of Elliot’s declaration of love at the hospital come to mind, and my heart fills with warmth.
“So… you and Sally…”
“I loved Sally with all my heart, only not in a romantic way, and sex was never part of our fake relationship that benefittedboth of us.” Tim’s eyes narrow. From the sudden hurt flashing in his eyes, I can tell he’s ascertained that I confided in her while keeping this from him. Nothing I can do about it now, so I continue, “Her reasons are not mine to share… I will always love her.” Now, things take a different turn. “Look, what you should hear from me is the naked truth: I am in love with your brother.”
“I can tell.” His fingers run through his dark hair.
“My sexual orientation isn’t a choice, and I didn’t plan to fall for him. But every time we met, we… clicked.” I shirk his scrutiny for a moment, mulling over how to phrase it. He waits. “Maybe there are things he should tell you himself, but basically, he saw through me and shared his own orientation with me. He wasverydetermined to give us a try.” Remembering how persistent Elliot’s been, the corner of my lips quirks up. “I fought my attraction to him for a long time, but then Sally died…” My throat tightens. “Fucking carjacker.” Anger seethes. Deep breathing helps take the edge off. “I was a wreck, and your brother was nothing short of amazing.” I pause, watching him do the math that I’m not eager to spell out for him. He doesn’t have to know the specifics.
“Can’t say it’s a big surprise. He might have been… impulsive growing up, but he’s also much more mature than I am in so many ways.”
“What can I say?” I chuckle as we exchange memories of our drunken teenage nights. A couple of anecdotes resurface, and we burst out laughing as I steal another mozzarella stick from the small plate.
The previous conversation isn’t over, so I redirect it to the more pressing matter. “Anyway, Elliot and I are out of the closet for good, one step at a time. Earlier this year, once football seasonwas over for the Troopers,”—I deliberately steer clear of dwelling on how bummed Elliot was that they didn’t make it as far in the postseason as he’d hoped—“Elliot was reunited with some of his college teammates and came out to them. Their former coach threw a massive dinner party to celebrate marrying a waitress who he used to work with. Some couldn’t make it, but Elliot made do, involuntarily stealing the show.”
“Yeah, he told me. That says a lot about how open Elliot is about it now. It brought back memories of him saying that the college quarterback was constantly saying derogatory things that he ached to report but didn’t. Learning my brother was gay only made it worse. I wanted to punch the guy. But Elliot was right, the asshole shouldn’t have said those things, whether there was a gay player around or not. It’s just plain wrong.”
“True… That said, Davis apologized in front of the team, and so did his wingman, Jones. Elliot said they looked like they meant it, and since then Davis has been trying to make amends. They’ll never be friends, but it’s a truce.”
As if on cue, I spy my man stepping into the bar alongside Chris. It brings a barely hidden proud grin to my face. I spy patrons recognizing him. It makes my heart swell with pride. I spy Tim wiggling his eyebrows at me in amusement. It looks like he easily guessed who’s strolling our way.
My phone buzzes in my jean pocket, and I read Elliot’s text.
Let’s do this!
Game on, then. I bite the inside of my cheeks to stop my Cheshire Cat smile from ruining our plans.
With Chris in his wake, Elliot whirls around the patrons. His eyes don’t leave mine, even when he passes his brother, acknowledging him with a “Hey, bro!”
In the blink of an eye, my driven, hot as fuck, and talented man stands in front of me. I don’t budge from my stool as his long fingers tighten around the back of my neck, his nose rubbing mine. This tender gesture has my dick thickening in my pants. “Missed you, sweetheart.” His hot breath is enticing.
A sideways glance proves we have an audience. Perfect.
One of my arms snakes around his powerful body. “Likewise, babe.” My free hand cups his cheek, and he bridges the unbearable distance between us. His heart thumps in his chest, just like mine, as he shoves his skillful tongue inside my willing mouth for what we both longed for. For a searing kiss. For the world to see.
At last.
EPILOGUE
- Overtime -
UNDERNEATH YOUR CLOTHES
EPILOGUE
Elliot
Two years later
“That was a great party,but I needed this peace and quiet.” Eyes on the road for our short drive home, my ears feel like they’re stuffed with cotton. I can’t believe they haven’t stopped buzzing from the numerous guests’ guffaws and conversations. From the shrieking of the kids. From the sheer number of former and present Troopers and the rowdy atmosphere we mustered.
“Coop and Lucas really know how to throw a party, huh?”
“Yup. Their Super Bowl Sunday party is as sacred for The Troopers as Hardy’s Christmas getaway is for the Barrels.”
“I’m bummed that I missed it last year.” My fingers intertwine with his that are resting on his thigh. “I’m not even such a football fan,” he deadpans, his focus on the road to avoid my murderous glare.
