Page 63 of Catching Kyle (Football Heartthrobs #1)

Epilogue Two – One Year Later

Kyle Weaver

Ruckers isn’t the smallest bookstore, but Michael’s brought in a large enough crowd to fill in every square foot of free space.

Kelley, one of the first booksellers that Michael met here, is asking him questions about his debut book as they sit by the front window.

I can’t help but grin as I remember our argument over whether romance or fantasy was better.

Funny how that discussion would lead to this.

Jury’s still out on the verdict, but I like Michael’s solution: put the two together.

The first week that his book hit the shelves, his romantasy about two knights in a disgraced retinue falling in love did better than his publisher expected.

So much so that they’re now on the second print.

But that doesn’t surprise me. He worked hard on that book, and he worked even harder marketing it the weeks before its release date.

I can’t wait for his next book to hit the shelves.

Kelley opens up the discussion for questions from the audience.

Nearby, Amani, my former fake-girlfriend, sits with her partner Angie, Skye, Josue, and Ezekiel.

I’m still thrilled that he came to support my boyfriend.

Next to him sits Michael’s sponsor Susan, and she’s beaming.

I know she’s proud of Michael. Don’t see how anyone couldn’t be.

When I see Michael get nervous, he glances at them, and they try to give supportive gestures without being too conspicuous.

But it’s not like he really needs it. Back when we first met, he held himself so small when he was nervous, like he was afraid to make a splash.

But now he sits tall and answers questions with confidence.

The man knows who he is, and he’s always the first I think of when it comes to integrity.

And apparently, so many people here are from Kyle’s book club and the other Ruckers book clubs.

Since he started working here, he’s loved every minute, and he’s made loads of friends.

Now that we’re living together, I’ve told him that I could support him financially so he can work on his books.

I’m still doing ads and bringing in a lot of cash, let alone all the money I saved as a single man in the NFO.

But he said he wants to keep working here.

Says it helps him with his writing, and he loves the community. So I won’t get in the way of that.

But as I lean here against a bookshelf, behind the main crowd, I’m getting a little nervous myself.

Not because I’m out in public with my boyfriend, afraid that people will see us together.

Not at all. I’m proud to call Michael my own.

I’m nervous because I have a little stunt planned, not unlike what I pulled at the Championship Game a year and a half ago. And I’m hoping it goes just right.

When Kelley says she has room for one more question, I raise my hand, and she calls on me, just as we planned. When Michael sees it’s me, a smile forms on his face as his brow furrows, which looks cute as hell on him. He has no idea what I’m about to do.

“I understand that this bookstore is how you and I met,” I say.

All eyes turn on me, and some gasp. Since I’m standing in the back, not many have seen me until now.

But now the sound of hushed whispers fills the store.

Some even pull out their phones to film me.

Before I decided to live a life of integrity, this would have terrified me.

I wouldn’t have wanted people to see me showing affection toward another man.

But now it fills me with joy because the whole world gets to see what I’m about to do.

“Yeah,” Michael says, almost laughing. “It is.” He doesn’t say more, and I can tell he’s waiting for me to ask my question. He likely thinks I’ll ask about how the bookstore brought us together so he has an excuse to tell everyone our story, but I got something much better in mind.

I start making my way to where Michael and Kelley are sitting on their stools. When I’m halfway there, his eyes widen, and I think he’s realizing what’s going on. I hear Amani squeal to my left as she takes out her phone .

I go down on one knee, and everyone in the bookstore gasps. Now everyone’s taking out their phone to film me. But my eyes are locked on the man that I love.

Michael’s covering his mouth with his hand as he gets off the stool. He slowly steps toward me, tears welling in his eyes. “You’re not…”

“I am,” I say, pulling out a little black box from my back pocket. “Michael Cunningham, I’ve put you through hell.”

Michael laughs and wipes his eyes.

“But I’ve worked real hard to make our life what it is now, and it’s my aim to only make it better. But that only works if we’re committed. For life.”

The bookstore is so quiet that I can hear the little black box creak open. Inside is a thick gold band.

“So I ask you,” I say, trying not to let my voice shake. “Will you marry me?”

Michael lets out a noise that’s half-laugh and half sob, then reaches out to me. “Yes, I would love to.”

I stand up and wrap my arms around him as our lips press together.

Everyone’s standing and filming us now. As I kiss him, I think about what this could mean for other gay men like me.

After my stunt at the Championship Game, so many officials were pissed.

But what it did was show not only the organization, but also the fans, that there are gay men like me who play and want to play football.

Since I retired, I honestly don’t know what life will be like for a gay football player in the NFO.

But I’m hoping that what I’ve done can show my fellow gay players that it’s not only okay but also beautiful to be true to ourselves.

And that NFO teams will still draft them even when they are their authentic gay selves.

Michael and I pull away from each other and smile, oblivious to those around us.

“I love you,” he says.

“I love you, too,” I say, loud enough for the whole room to hear.

* * *

Kelley sets up a table for Michael to sign copies of his book after the whole proposal is done. He sits down to sign, and I step off to the side. The first woman comes up and greets Michael .

“Thanks,” she says, once he does. “But I was also wondering… can he sign it to?” She’s pointing at me.

Michael gives me a look that says I totally should.

“I didn’t write the book,” I say.

“Okay,” Michael says. “But you are kinda the reason the book exists—helping me write better, inspiring me with all your fantasy books. Besides, you’re like still famous. I don’t see why people wouldn’t want your signature.”

I let out a laugh. “Alright,” I say, sitting down at the table.

And now Michael and I are both signing hardcover copies of his book.

I thought this would be tiring at first, but seeing all the different people who have already read Michaels’ book greeting him like he’s the Pope—I am enlivened by the unique energy that each person brings.

As the signing line gets shorter, the store gets quieter, and some of the booksellers begin their closing routine.

Ezekiel and Susan are talking to Michael’s friends about what they write, and he’s eating it up.

And at the far end of the line, I think I spot someone familiar, though I can’t tell from here.

But when it’s finally his turn, my stomach jumps to my throat.

“Tanner Bash,” I say, standing up to hug the man.

Michael flashes me a curious look. From Miss U? He mouths.

I nod to him. Yes, that Tanner—one of the players I fucked on and off in college.

But I don’t have any feelings for the guy now.

We’ve seen each other enough over the years for me to know we’re just friends.

And Michael knows enough about him not to be jealous.

Plus, it’s Michael. I don’t know anyone who’s worked harder to have a level head.

I put my hands on my hips. “What are you doing here, big guy?”

He laughs shyly, scratching the back of his head.

He was a center at Miss U, and now he’s playing for the San Diego Seals.

He’s an inch shorter than me, standing at 6’4’’.

He’s wider, but, dare I say, he’s gotten more muscular since I last saw him.

Almost more muscular than me. He’s blonde with a boyishly handsome face that’s only grown more rugged over the last ten years .

He looks at us, then around at the people left. It’s just us, our friends, and the booksellers.

“Congrats on your proposal,” he says to both of us. “And that stunt you pulled at the Championship Game—that was awesome.”

“Thanks, man,” I say. “It’s good to see you.”

He nods, then looks around again, more nervously this time.

“You okay?” I ask.

“Do you two have time to talk to me?” he asks, looking between me and Michael. “I—I’m—” He clears his throat.

Michael watches him intently. I think I know what’s coming next, but it looks like Michael’s certain. It’s like he pulls these confessions out of people. I mean, look how he did it to me.

“I think I’m gay,” he says in the most intense whisper I’ve heard. “And I don’t know what to do about it. I have one year left in the NFO. I need help—someone to talk to.”

There’s a million things I want to say, ask, and do right now, all things I’ve been learning in therapy.

But while I’m paralyzed by all the things I could do, Michael just stands up, walks around the table, and wraps my old friend in a bear hug.

When I hear Tanner sniffling, I know that Michael made the right move.

And I can’t think of someone better for Tanner to trust just as he’s coming out.

I’m still impressed by the respect Michael showed me when I did.

Michael pulls away from him and looks at me, asking a question with his eyes only. We’ve gotten good at communicating with no words. I nod.

“We’d love to talk more,” Michael says. “Why don’t you join us at our house tonight? We’ll make you dinner.”

Our house. God, hearing him call it that makes my chest tingle. Because it is our house. And seeing how kind and tender he is with someone he could easily dismiss if he was jealous, there is no one I’d rather share it with.

Tanner nods and wipes his red eyes. “I’d like that,” he says. “Thanks guys.”

“It’s an honor,” I say, putting my arm around my old friend. “Come on, I’ll take you there. Let’s give you some of the peace that I’ve found.”