Heat hit my cheeks. It was no surprise the rumor mill was working overtime. But as yet, the handful of people I’d seen had only asked if I was okay. Each time I’d bobbed my head, relieved that they didn’t start cussing out Jayden.
“Nothing, thanks. I’m heading out to meet with my agent. I’m sorry this has happened while we’re here. The last thing I want to do is put a negative spotlight on the academy and everything you’re doing here.”
He waved his hand, brushing aside my comment. “Don’t sweat it, kid. We all know exactly what it’s like to live the life of a pro player. Hell, if anything, it’s an up close and personal look for these dipshit hotshots we’re working with. They’re dreaming of fame, of living the high-roller life while playing ball. Sure they hear the stories, but getting to know both you and Moore, seeing this happening now in real-time… it’s shit for you to be a lesson for them, but you know, shit happens, and you just have to step up and deal, right?”
Gratitude helped my temperature drop a couple of degrees. “Thanks, Coach.”
“Just get on out of here. I’ll remind everyone not to talk to the press and not buy into social media bullshit. Go do what you’ve gotta do, then get your ass back here as soon as you can.” He patted me on the shoulder and returned to his desk.
With a smile, I made to leave the room, turning before I pulled the door closed behind me. “Thanks for understanding why I need to leave.”
He nodded, calling out, “Good riddance,” following up with a wink.
Head down, I headed outside to wait for my cab. I could fix this. Somehow, someway.
All my thoughts continued to spiral on the journey, the only possible end to each thread being inevitable. No more secrets and complete truths.
Not that I was talking about the media or even the public at large. While I was a well-paid athlete living my best life and so unbelievably lucky, my life was still my own. Plus I’d worked my ass off to be here. With that, I deserved privacy. All I owed my fans was that I played my hardest on the court and was a decent human being.
Nothing Jayden and I had done negated that.
No. All my truths belonged to Jayden. A few to some others too along the way, but still, Jayden was what mattered.
I managed to get into the hotel suite without too much fuss. While waiting, I turned on the TV, putting on a movie just to make some noise. Not long after the end credits were rolling, the suite door opened, and in walked Max.
His smile was friendly, genuine, and I stood, greeting him with a handshake. “You get here okay?”
I bobbed my head. “Yeah. No problems.”
“Excellent.” He dropped his bag on the floor and headed straight to the kitchen area. “Coffee?”
“No, thanks. Caffeine will push me over the edge.”
At my words, he cast another glance my way, this one more assessing as he took me in. He huffed out a breath, his cheeks puffing out as he refocused on the pod machine. A few clicks and a hiss of steam later, he headed toward the sitting area and took a seat opposite me on one of the couches.
“The more I know, the better position I can be in to help you.” He winced when he took a sip of the piping hot coffee. “Lay it out for me. I’ll give you my ten cents, and then we can work this out, okay?”
I’d had nothing but time to think when the movie had played, and I’d waited for Max to arrive. I hadn’t checked social media, only glancing at my cell to see if Jayden had returned my message. He hadn’t.
With a bob of my head, I told him everything. The realization a year back about my feelings for Jayden. My panic, the word “fiancé” leaking from the hospital, our escape to the outback, Jayden, in that sweet, adorable way of his, telling me he thought us being together wasn’t as crazy as it sounded. And then the here and now. Our commitment to the LGBTQ+ community, my desire not to make a mockery of everything Montview was hoping to achieve. And, of course, the video of Jayden not actually cheating on me since we hadn’t been a couple at the time.
I didn’t get into Jayden telling me I’d been his last kiss and the contradiction of the video. Nor did I mention Pearce.
By the end of it, I grabbed a beer from the bar, emotionally spent and a headache looming. Looking over at Max as I sat back down, I held his gaze.
“Let’s take a step back a moment,” he said, ankle crossed on his thigh and his foot bobbing up and down. “You and Jayden are in a committed relationship, correct?”
I nodded, feeling like I was back in high school. Max wasn’t that much older than me, but with his black-rimmed glasses, crisp shirt and well-pressed pants despite his flight, and his confident demeanor, I felt very much the pubescent kid in this scenario.
Heck, since I’d fallen for Jayden, I’d felt this way in general. Perhaps it came with that giddy feeling of being in love.
“At no point have you confirmed or denied being engaged or even when the engagement started.” He’d moved on to making statements. “Jayden hasn’t been dishonest or strayed from your relationship.” I held back my wince at that, thinking about Jayden not telling the truth. It was still something that didn’t make sense. Needing to give him the benefit of the doubt, I remained quiet so Max could continue with his processing.
After a beat, he looked me dead in the eye, stating, “I don’t get it.”
Taken aback, I frowned. “Don’t get what exactly?”
“Why you're freaking out about this. That’s assuming Jayden is freaking out too.” He left it hanging, knowing full well I hadn’t mentioned where Jayden was. I may have left out the part about my reaction to the video.
