Page 33 of Returning Your Love
“God, I love that boy.”
I eyed Josh in my periphery on the sidelines, his focus on first string practicing a new play, helmet in his hands. He’d spoken quietly as though to himself, and I wasn’t sure if I ought to say something or keep my mouth shut.
Josh glanced over at me, and I gave him my attention, since Coach Dave was striding toward the defensive players, hollering about the missed tackle that allowed our running back to break for the end zone.
The kid’s eyes stated he wanted me to interact, that he needed this discussion.
“Can I ask who?” I lowered my voice so the others on the sidelines wouldn’t pick up on the conversation just in case it was a secret.
“Kyle,” Josh whispered back, a soft smile curving his lips, his face lighting up at his admission.
The first string quarterback, the one he always spatted with. His best friend.
My chest tightened, and I had to swallow before replying. “Does he know how you feel?” The question choked me, causing me to clear my throat.
“Nah. He’s straight.” Josh sighed and turned his focus to the field again, the longing in his eyes obvious now that I was aware of who his heart wanted.
If only I’d been brave as a teen, if only I’d opened my mouth and sought out advice at his age. I refused to encourage Josh to keep quiet, and I sure as fuck would assure him that I had his back no matter his decision.
“You ought to tell him.”
He whipped his head toward me. “And risk losing the only friend I have?”
“Better to have tried than to live with ‘what-ifs’ ringing in your mind every day.” Gravel coated my tone, and I swallowed hard.
Josh studied me in silence, his gaze too damn wise for a seventeen-year-old. “Sounds like you’re talking from experience, Coach.”
Eyes stinging, I nodded, indirectly coming out for the first time to someone other than my father. “I chased my NFL dreams instead of a happily ever after with the guy I loved, and now it’s too late. He’s married, and you damn well better believe I regret that decision.”
“Shit, man, that sucks.” Empathy filled his steady gaze.
“It really does.” I clasped his shoulder. “Most kids these days have to learn the hard way, but trust me when I say someday watching your best friend vow his love to another until death parts them will be the most painful experience of your life.”
“Worse than a career-ending knee injury?”
Fucking hell, that reminder hurt but not as harshly as the constant knife in my chest stabbing at my heart.
“Yeah, kid,” I rasped. “Lots worse.”
“Second string, let’s go!” Coach Dave hollered, and Josh took off without another word.
I watched him high-five Kyle as they passed each other, and a sense of peace settled over my melancholic heart.
If my return to Pippen Creek led to those boys finding happiness together, then all the shit I faced living in the same town with Chaz might be a little worth it.
Chapter 12
Chaz
Shelly had gone south to Berlin for the previous three weekends, but I couldn’t have cared less. Her friend Tara was going through some shit, and I was appreciative of her stealing my wife away as often as she did. Offered me space to draw a proper breath and a reason to go home for dinner rather than hanging around the shop so I wouldn’t have to listen to her nag and bitch until she passed out drunk.
Ever since I’d tasted Jamie’s mouth, I’d been ten times as miserable than before his return. The mistake of giving into temptation pressed on my head and heart like the weight of a F-350, crushing my spine and causing every inch of me to ache.
I needed every break I could catch and didn’t mind Shelly disappearing as often as she did. Made for one hell of a quiet, peaceful house, that was for damned sure.
She stayed in town tonight though because it was Pippen Creek’s first home game for the high school football team. While I had zero interest in hanging with her like we’d done every year since on this night as far back as I could remember, I wasn’t about to miss out on Jamie coaching on the gridiron where we’d played together.
Even if we hadn’t spoken for a few weeks, I would show my support from the stands along with the rest of the town.
