The End Zone (Atlanta Lightning 2)

Shame.

Before Anson came out, would I have thought something similar, even if I hadn’t said it. Had I ever joked that way? About one of the men being the woman?

“Darren!” Jeremy snapped. I could tell by the way he’d said it that it wasn’t the first time he’d said my name. “He’s not worth it, baby. He’s a homophobic asshole. They’re a dime a dozen. We’re better than that, than them.”

Yeah, yeah, we were better than them. “He’s right. You’re not worth it. I’m lucky to be with Jeremy, and I’ll choose having him every day, every chance I get, even if it means dealing with people like you. And I promise you, the fun part is that we’re both men. When next season I’m holding another Super Bowl trophy over my head, you’ll remember this moment, when a queer man got the last word, and I’ll get it then too.” I turned to Jeremy. “Come on, Angel. Let’s go home.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Jeremy

I didn’t know what to say to Darren on the ride home. That had been a first for him, but it wouldn’t be the last time he heard something like that. I could go weeks, months, a year or more sometimes without the experience. Then, when I’d least expect it, a random asshole would have something to say.

It was clear he was seething in the passenger seat. Every once in a while, he’d make a low growl or mumble something about that piece of shit, or fuck that guy. I wasn’t sure if I should speak up or give him some time to process it on his own.

I waited until we got home and inside before I asked, “You okay?”

“I’m fucking pissed,” he gritted out. “What the hell is wrong with people? Why do they give a shit who someone else loves?”

“Because their worldview is very small. I know it sucks, but I also know you can handle it.” It wasn’t as if he’d never experienced bigotry, but I hated that being with me was another thing he would have to deal with. “I just hate that you have to.”

“It’s not your fault. I don’t—” His cell rang, and he stopped speaking, pulled it out of his sweats pocket. “Fuck.”

He answered.

“That’s not keeping your head down!” I was standing close enough to hear Mia shout.

How in the hell had she heard already?

“Now isn’t the time, sis.” Darren sighed and began to pace. “What would you expect me to do? Not go out with my boyfriend until I’m signed? Let people say whatever the fuck they want just because I’m holding his hand? Because I love him! I don’t work that way and you know it. Hell, you wouldn’t either, so don’t expect me to.”

He continued to pace, and I watched him, unable to hear Mia. Every now and again, he’d say something like, I know. You don’t have to be sorry. We’re good. I’ll be careful.

Not for the first time, I wished Darren would have just lied, would have agreed to hide our relationship until the timing was better. It wasn’t like it would have been forever. Only a few weeks had passed since we’d been outed, and look what he already had to deal with.

They spoke for a few minutes, and then Darren said goodbye, ended the call, and tossed his cell onto the couch. He dropped his head back, looked up at the ceiling, and sighed again.

“How’d she hear?” I asked him.

“She set up alerts for me online after the photos incident. Someone recorded it and posted it online.” I opened my mouth to tell him I was sorry, but Darren spoke first. “I’m gonna go take a shower. It’ll feel good to be able to wash my arm.”

I nodded, fear clogging up my throat. I was so fucking afraid that our relationship was going to screw things up for him, that those pictures had been the beginning of the end.

Darren walked over and kissed me before heading for the stairs.

A few minutes later my cell rang. I knew it was West, considered not answering, but I needed to talk to my friend.

“So…you’ve had quite the day,” he said instead of hello.

“You can say that again, but don’t say that again. You think that’s funny, but it’s not.”

West chuckled. “You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m good. I’m just worried about him.”

“Looks like he handled it fine to me. I would have done the same thing Darren did. He’s a good man, Jere. He’s strong, and he knows what he wants. He chose you. Some asshole in a restaurant isn’t going to change that.”

“But why does it have to be so hard? Why does it have to matter in the first place?”

“I don’t know. I wish it didn’t, but you and I both know that while it’s better, to some people it’s still wrong. That’s why we hold tight to the ones who love us, to our friends and our family who stand by us, whether they’re blood or not.”