Page 40 of Rocking the Receiver
“Hey, Mom.” His voice much stronger than earlier. Uncertainty flashes in his eyes.
I can tell he’s strategizing, probably on how to getstraightto the point.
Glancing at me, he shoots me a confident smile before staring back at her. “Guess today’s game didn’t exactly play out as expected, huh?” He shrugs. His laser gaze finds his father’s, finally acknowledging him with a quick nod.
“Dad.”
CHAPTER 19
YOU
Elliot
Mom’ssoft gaze is ping-ponging between Dad, Rupert, and me as she strolls towards the edge of the bed to face me. We’ve never had to live through a medical emergency, but by now, she’s surely fathomed that Rupert’s presence implies that he’s my emergency contact.
Obviously, it hardly makes sense since they think that Rupert resides in Manhattan. I hate that we decided it was safer for us to have him check into a hotel during their stay. My heart sinks.
It’s not just an elephant in the room now, more like a herd.
My dad’s face becomes a blank slate, devoid of emotion. He stands frozen in time, rooted by the door, as if I hadn’t spoken to him seconds ago. If I’m being honest, I wish I could get up and ditch this place, snatch Rupert’s wrist and run away with him. The sterile hospital smell reminds me of sickness, doubt, and sadness.
Actually, I wouldn’t run because I’m scared to face my parents right now. I’m not. I’d run to remove my man from a place heabhors because of the heartbreaking memories linked to it. It sucks that I’m the one who brought him back to a hospital.
I shoot Rupert a sideway glance, watching him force a polite smile onto his face. I admire that he’s trying to make this encounter as casual as possible; it’s anything but. I make a mental note to tell him how thankful I am he doesn’t step in. It’s my call to decide how I want this to play out.
I’ve thought about this moment a lot. I’ve rehearsed the conversation in my head. I’ve envisioned the right timing.
I’m mostly at peace with the idea. It’s about time I stop pretending to be someone I’m not, but on the other hand, I’m sort of cornered. I wish Rupert and I could have discussed the logistics prior to my injury. Stuck in this hospital bed, time seems to have stopped.
I’m about to say the words I’d been dreading, and I must admit I’m not afraid anymore. I’m not ashamed. I’m more confident than ever.
You see, when I got drafted, I told Rupert that I was finally living my dream. I was wrong. Wrong to consider football the ultimate goal. Wrong to erase him from the equation. Wrong to believe I grasped my priorities.
This is not a dream; I’m living my reality with a job I worked my ass off to get and a man I can’t get enough of and am proud to call my boyfriend. I’m ready to deal with the bumps in the road head on. This is my reality, and I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Rupert didn’t object, but what about me? Am I overthinking things? My mind can’t seem to decide between following what’s going on or staying out of it due to the meds and lingering pain.
Mom eventually breaks the deafening silence. Her strangled voice is filled with such anguish. “You okay, honey?” I shouldn’t be surprised that she’d focus on my health over the awkwardness of the situation. “I mean, as much as you can be after what you’ve just been through.” I nod approvingly. Then, her attention turns to Rupert. “I’m sorry, Rupert, with all the chaos, I didn’t even realize you were gone.” Didn’t Rupert say he texted Tim? Where is he anyway? Her next question posed to me is barely a whisper. “Can I… can I approach?”
“Mom, it’s me. Of course, you can approach.”
She rounds the bed until she faces Rupert from the opposite side of the bed. Massaging my shoulder, she kisses my forehead.
I toy with the scratchy bed sheet for a split second.
Nope, I’m not going back.
Hesitation has no place in this room. So, I square my shoulders, hiss in pain, then grin at Rupert.
I look at my parents alternatively. As if I’d uttered a silent command, my dad walks to my mom’s side.
“So, here’s the thing,” I start, but the door startles me as it opens. At first, I assume the medical staff is about to interrupt me… Instead, Tim barges in.
“Can you believe this?” he asks, oblivious of what’s unfolding. “They fought me…” His eyes roam around the room. “They said there were already too many…” He catches his breath. “But they couldn’t stop me from—” He stops again, his intense gaze on the potential intruder. “Ru?”Ohhh, I haven’t heard that nickname since they became legal, but then again, my brother must be utterly confused.“I thought you said?—”
Clearing my throat with all my might to get everyone’s attention once and for all, I wave at Tim. “Hey, bro. Do you mind closing the door behind you to give us some privacy?” He obliges. “Come here, don’t be shy… The more, the merrier,” I joke, amused by his perplexed expression and spiked brow. I gesture for him to join my parents.
“Sooo…” I say, oh-so-slowly, for effect, “like I wanted to say before this… abrupt interruption.” Tim rolls his eyes, then purses his lips. I’m on a roll. “Here’s the thing: I’m gay.” There, I’ve said it! My voice didn’t even falter, and I don’t feel like throwing up like I did when I figured out I liked boys… Well, one in particular, and he’s standing next to me, expectant, beautiful, and proud. “Rupert is my boyfriend, and we just moved in together in East Austin.” There’s the emergency contact explanation! “Also, I’ve been in love with him for a while now.” There, he’s not a fling!
