“Yeah, we’re idiots sometimes, but we’re not assholes.” TJ tilts his head like he’s not sure about that. “Nottotalassholes.”
Ryan glances at me. “It’s all good. And for the record, it hasn’t been going on the whole time, but it is the real deal. Hopefully, everyone can wrap their minds around it by next season.”
“We’ve got your backs no matter what,” Beckett says.
“Thanks,” I say, grateful, if a little surprised.
He smacks my shoulder and they walk away.
“Hardison, Ackley, Abbott, Pierce! Let’s go,” Coach says.
We’re all slated for different interview combos. Ryan and me first, then Mark and Coach, then Wendell and Coach.
Mark and Wendell fall into step with us.
“Why do I feel like I’m doing the walk of shame to the principal’s office?” Mark asks.
“Got me,” Ryan says. “We just won the Super Bowl. Smile a little, Markie Mark. We all deserve to be happy after this win, no matter what press questions we get or how they spin the articles.”
He gives my hand a quick squeeze, and the two of us walk through the door into the press room. Coach is waiting near the door and nods for us to have a seat at the table in the front of the room.
My stomach twists. Every fiber of my being hates this. I’m great at looking calm and collected, but inside I’m on a roller coaster of torture.
Once we’re seated, Coach steps up next to the table. “I expect there to be actual questions about football and not tabloid gossip, or I’ll usher these two out of here faster than they sat down.”
There are vague nods of affirmation, but it’s not like it’ll stop them. We just might catch a couple of football questions first.
“This question is for Brian,” a female reporter says. “How did it feel to make the game-winning touchdown, especially as a defensive player?”
At least I get one worthwhile question.
“It’s really special to be the one who helped bring the win home for our team, but as incredible as it was, I barely realized what was happening in the moment. My focus was on making the play and getting as far as I could.”
“Was that a planned play?” another reporter asks.
I chuckle at that. “No. It’s hard to plan a play when you have no idea what’s going to happen. We had some encouragement from one of our team captains to play the best football possible. I was just trying to live up to that. I saw the opportunity, and I took it.”
“And you got quite the celebration from it. Hardy, were you planning to kiss Brian?”
Here we go.
“At that exact moment? I wasn’t really thinking. I followed my heart.”
“So it wasn’t a PR stunt?” someone else calls.
“I’m not in the habit of kissing teammates for PR,” Ryan says.
At least I’m up here with Ryan. He makes everything easier, not only on a personal level, but with his general attitude.
“Does this mean you’re gay?”
Coach swears under his breath, but he lets us continue. Probably because he knows the questions will never end if we don’t.
“I think you’re missing a few letters if you think that’s the only option. I’m personally not a fan of labels, but if you need to assign me one, let’s stick with queer.”
“And Brian, what about you?”
“I’ve known I was bi since I was in my early teens. Personally, I’m out, but publicly and professionally I chose to wait. Not because I’m ashamed, but because I’m private by nature.”
