Page 3 of The Wing
My face scrunches. Nice? The head coach,nice? I shake my head and decide I don’t want to know anything else about this topic. It’s too weird thinking about Coach as nice. “That’s…good, I guess.”
We reach Charlie’s car, and she unlocks it and gets in the front while I load the boot of her car with my gear and get in the passenger side.
When we’re halfway to my flat in the CBD and I’m finally warm from the heater after playing in the rain, Charlie says, “So this new guy started at work. I think you’ll like him.”
“No, I’m good,” I say quickly before she can get on a roll.
“But you’ll like him! He reads those fantasy books you love, and he hates rugby.”
I roll my eyes and watch the side of her face as she drives. The windscreen wipers scrape rain away, and streetlights dance on her face. “He hates rugby?”
“Yeah, he doesn’t even know who the captain is.” She parks outside my building and turns to me. “He’s cute,” she sings.
“Poor Suli, his feelings will be hurt if I go out with someone who doesn’t know him.” I’m seriously grasping at straws here.Our captain Suli wouldn’t care if no one knew him as long as he could play rugby. He’s the tallest on the team, with broad shoulders, a black beard, rich brown skin, and dark eyes that know everything. There’s a reason I’m avoiding him as well as the coaches. And medical staff.
“No, he won’t. Give me one good reason why I shouldn’t give him your number.” Charlie crosses her arms and raises her brows at me.
“Because I don’t want you to,” I say simply. That’s a good enough reason and probably why she hasn’t already set it up.
“Fine. But why won’t you go out with someone?”
“Just because the world knows I’m gay doesn’t mean I want to flaunt it in front of everyone in the sports world who is still shitty. Not when I have a meeting with Daisy and we’re in the middle of the championship.” I heave a sigh, and my shoulders slump.
What I would give to have someone waiting for me at home after a game so I could collapse in their arms and fall asleep. But we’re in the middle of the season, and everyone may know I’m gay, but that doesn’t mean I want interviews about my dating life added to the ridiculous comments I get from some people.
It’s easy to brush off, but I really don’t want anyone else dragged into it, not unless I intend to marry them and think we’ll survive the invasion of privacy. As soon as someone on the team starts dating someone, everyone needs to know who it is, and if it was me? The gay Maori boy with a partner, the interest would double, and to be honest? I cannot be bothered dealing with it. It’s easier being alone. To go upstairs and drink a beer while I read a book instead of attempting to date as a local gay celebrity.
I’ve been out my whole life. I didn’t even think telling Mum about the crush I had on a boy in school was weird. The rugby world has known the entire time, and for the most part, therehave been minimal issues. And issues that do pop up, slurs on the field or whatever, are handled quickly and quietly by the team and coaches. But that doesn’t stop the interest in my dating life.
“Fine. What about after the championship?”
“Then we have the Northern Tour.”
Charlie huffs. “When the season’s over, will you consider going out with someone?”
“You aren’t dating anyone either. Why is it different for me?”
“Because no one will set me up, and I know everyone at work. Will you consider it?”
I roll the idea around in my head. After the season, I won’t have to do interviews or be around the media, so I’ll have more privacy. Even if it doesn’t go anywhere, it could be fun to spend the off-season with someone so I do more than just train and read. “Fine, I’ll consider it.” I stick my tongue out at her when she screams excitedly. “Why are you so excited? I’ve dated before. He can’t be that great.”
“I’m excited for you to have someone. Someone who gets you.”
“What about you? You aren’t excited for the same thing?” I don’t understand what makes me so special when she’s as alone as I am in the significant other department.
“The difference is I wouldn’t push someone away if they wanted me, but you would. There’s always a reason.” Charlie purses her lips.
I drag a hand through my hair and wish I’d gotten out of the car as soon as she put it in park. “So? Maybe I’m happy being alone. Besides, I have friends. You don’t need a partner for fulfilment.”
“Obviously not, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun.” Charlie grins at me. “So you’ll do it? Go on a date with Derek after the season?”
“His name’s Derek?”
I must make a face because Charlie hits my arm. “What’s wrong with that?”
I shake my head and widen my eyes innocently. “Nothing! Just sounds like a fucking Barbie prince.”
Charlie sighs wistfully. “The best one, too.”
