People call out over the top of each other. “How long has this been going on?” “How does the team feel?” “How long have you identified as queer?”
Hardy holds up a hand. “Though Brian and I have been friends for a while now, the transition into a relationship was recent. Like a lot of people, I assumed I was straight, and I never really questioned it. But that’s mostly because my sexuality isn’t really important to me. Love is what matters, and I love Brian more fiercely than I’ve ever loved anyone or anything.”
“Even football?”
Ryan glances at Coach. “I have a feeling I’ll get in trouble if I answer that.”
“What will this mean for the team going forward?”
“If you’re asking if we’re going to be fucking on the field, the answer is no.”
“Hardison,” Coach yells.
My lips tick up, and I have to fight back my smile.
“Seriously.” Ryan looks around the room of reporters. “Does your relationship affect your ability to do your job? Does anyoneever ask you about that? We’re here to play football, and our relationship doesn’t affect our ability to do our jobs.”
“So, you won’t be bringing that to practice?”
“What? Our queerness?” I ask.
“Ackley,” Coach hisses.
“You say it won’t affect your job, and yet you kissed on the field tonight.”
“Yes. I kissed my boyfriend after he won the Super Bowl. How many of you complain when girlfriends and wives run out to their guys and kiss them after the big win?”
The room falls silent.
“There’s only a double standard here if people decide to create one. We’re football players here to do our job, and when we leave the stadium at the end of the day, we’re a couple. But if you think I’m going to skip the opportunity to kiss my man after he wins us the Super Bowl, you’re crazy. And if that’s the most interesting thing that happened tonight, your priorities and interests are severely misplaced.”
Coach clears his throat and steps up to the table. “If there aren’t any further football questions, I think that’s enough for tonight.”
He nods for us to get up, then waves Mark over.
As we walk toward the door on the other side of the room, Mark takes the mic. “Before we start, I just want to say that we’re proud of Hardy and Ackley, and as a team, we support them one hundred percent. The Bandits are excited to lead the way when it comes to inclusivity in professional football.” He nods at us. “Now, let’s talk about football.”
We step into the hallway, and I let out a long sigh. “Well, that was fun.”
Ryan opens his mouth, but a voice behind us interrupts him.
“Well done, boys,” Chet Collins says. “Do you hear the trade rumors swirling yet? I’ll admit, you made my life harder bymaking the winning play, Ackley. Now who do I trade? The Super Bowl winner or the star wide receiver?”
“I don’t think now’s the time to talk about trading anyone.”
Behind him, Mike Brady walks up, the picture of calm confidence. He’s a former pro QB, who happens to come from old money. He played for the Bandits for a few seasons before an injury took him out. A couple of years later, he bought the team. He’s not quite thirty yet, and though he’s still growing in his understanding of what owning a team means, he knows football.
Chet’s face turns red, but he’s trying to maintain a relaxed expression as he spins to face Mike.
“Mike, I was?—”
“Just harassing two of our best players? It’s not the best look.”
Chet chuckles darkly. “What? You think you have a play here? You’re going to fire the GM who just won you the Super Bowl?”
“I watched an entire team bust their asses all season to get here. But that’s for me to worry about, not you.”
Mike walks past him and looks at us. “Well done tonight, boys. Be proud of that.”
