Page 132 of Catching Kyle

“That’s all I can tell you,” she says with a shrug.

“What?” I say, confused. But pretty soon she’s left me alone in the hallway. After I gather some strength, I return to the suite and sit back down in my seat.

“What was that about?” Amani asks.

“I honestly have no idea,” I say.

“Was she mean?” Amani asks, alert.

“No, not at all really,” I say. “Just confusing.”

Another play begins, and we’re sucked back into the game. But I can’t stop thinking about the cryptic message that Jessica just left for me. ‘Wait until the half-time show’, she said. ‘Someone will come to get me’. Is that someone Kyle? It can’t be. I doubt he’d have that much time to do that. Oh man. This anticipation is going to kill me.

I try to focus on the game, but each passing second only means I’m closer to the half-time show and whatever’s happening then. It has to do with Kyle,right? Why else would Jessica be the one giving me the message? And does this have to do with the Kyle’s way of showing me he loves me?

While I’m almost hyperventilating, the Tigers manage to score a touchdown, but the Vanguards score one right after and manage to score a safety after their touchdown, giving them two more points. It’s now 6 – 14, Vanguards winning. But I would say the mystery happening at half-time is making me substantially more nervous.

But wait. It was Jessica who relayed this message. Who told me she knows all about Kyle being gay and how he loves me still. That means that they’re not together in any real way at all. It’s all a ruse, just like it was with Amani. But how?

Just before the first half is over, there’s a knock on our suite. Two huge, burly security guards open the door. “Is there a Michael Cunningham in here?” the taller one asks.

Oh god. This is it.

I sheepishly raise my hand.

“Will you come with us? We’re here to escort you,” the shorter one says.

I stand up, and all eyes in the booth are on me. Jessica’s watching me with rapt attention. This is what she was preparing me for, after all.

“Escort me where?” I say, stepping up to them.

“Just follow us,” the tall one says. “You’ll see soon enough.”

Not knowing what else to do, I follow the guards into the hallway.

Chapter 46

Kyle Weaver

Joggingoffthefieldfor half-time, I should feel relieved—eager to relax and play hard in the next half, especially since we’re kicking off to the Vanguards.

But I’m more tense than ever.

This is where all my plans over the last few weeks are coming to fruition. If one thing goes wrong, then this whole thing could blow up in my face. And then I’m not sure if I’ll ever get Michael back ever again.

Just before I reach the locker rooms, Ezekiel pulls me off into an industrial hallway filled with dozens of workers with headsets and random equipment that has the vague structure of a stage.

“Kyle,” Ezekiel says, taking me around a corner. “I’d like you to meet my friend, Sloane Michaels.”

I reach out to shake the all but retired R&B singer’s hand. “It’s an honor and a pleasure.”

He squints at me and shakes my hand. “You’re the gay football player I’m helping out?”

I smile and put my hands on my hips. “That’s me.”

“I’m still reeling that you agreed to do this,” Ezekiel says. “And to think this might lead to a new album.”

“Hey, no promises,” Sloane says, his salt-and-pepper beard widening with a smile.