Page 31 of Crossroads
“Coach,” I barely squeak out when I see my football coach, Noah Asher, with his husband, assistant coach Chance Leighton. Great. This is great. Can they tell I hooked up with a guy last night?
I mean... just because they’re a same-sex couple doesn’t mean they can tell that, but is it written all over my face, standing here next to Emerson? They both look amused, their faces bright when they see me. “Hi, Jasper. What brings you here?” Coach Asher asks.
“Uh...” I look over at Emerson, feeling uneasy. They have to know. I don’t want them to know. No one knows.
I’m quiet for way too long. “You okay?” Coach Leighton asks.
No. I feel like my chest might explode. “Fine,” I barely choke out, my voice cracking, and Emerson looks annoyed, his irritation coming off him in waves. Why? I have no idea. It’s not like he’s being busted by his high-school coaches right now. “I’m... well. We’re—” Shit. I don’t want to acknowledge I’m here with Emerson, but it would be weirder if I didn’t, I think. Right? I clear my throat and try again. “Here to get a steer for John Wright.”
“Ah, good,” Coach Asher says, a warm smile on his face. “So you’re still working for the Wrights then?”
I nod. “Yeah, don’t plan for that to change for a long time.”
“Good,” Coach Asher says and then turns to Emerson. “And who’s this? You didn’t play football for me, and I don’t remember seeing you in the hallways.”
“He’s Kelly and John’s nephew. He’s just here for the summer, then he’s leaving,” I say weirdly. My voice is so strange right now, and I don’t know what’s wrong with me.
It’s clear I’m freaking both my former coaches out, but they both play it cool. Coach Leighton wraps his arm around his husband. “We’re here to grab a donkey. Well, we were stayingwith my sister this weekend and saw there’s an auction this morning. Thought we’d look for a donkey.”
That actually makes me grin and momentarily shake off my odd behavior. “Really?”
Coach Asher shakes his head. “Chance wants a damn donkey, so I guess we’re getting a damn donkey.”
That makes me chuckle. I’ve looked up to both men since they started coaching me my freshman year. Them being a couple never bothered me. I’m not a homophobe or anything, I’m just not fucking gay.
That’s all.
We say our goodbyes, and they find a seat a few benches below us as we get settled. “Football coach?” Emerson asks.
I grunt, looking straight ahead at where they’re bringing animals out for the auction to start. “Yeah. They both are.”
“They’re a couple?” He doesn’t sound disgusted or anything but definitely surprised.
“Yeah. Married.”
“And they coach for Kensley?”
I’m uncomfortable beyond belief and wish he’d go back to silent mode but nod. “Yeah. They win state championships. They’re a good team.”
“You didn’t mention your high school football coaches were married.”
“Why would I?” I snap, still not looking over at him. I’m not proud of the shame I feel right now.
But I feel on edge, running into people from Kensley when I’m out with Emerson. Not that this is a date or anything. It’s work. But after what we did last night...
“Can we just stop the small talk? The auction is about to start,” I say, keeping my eyes off him. I feel itchy and like I can’t sit still, even though I’m not moving a muscle.
It feels like all eyes are on me here, and I know for a fact Emerson’s are. He’s watching me with agitation again. As if I’m not the only one uncomfortable with what we did last night.
He ignored me too. Now he wants to talk? No, thank you.
“Yeah. Sure,” he says, a defensive edge to his tone.
Whatever. I don’t care if he’s pissed off.
I don’t care about Emerson, period.
THIRTEEN
