Page 97 of From the Ashes

“Okay, so, I’m gay, and I’m not just living with Phoenix Harding, I’m dating him. And before you say anything, LXR knows. They just ran a thing on social media, so everyone else is about to know too,” I blurt.

And wait.

And wait.

And wait.

“Uh, Dad?”Was I wrong about him and Mom? Do they care more than I thought they would?“You there?”

“Yeah, Walk, I’m here.” He sighs into the phone. “You couldn’t have prefaced this withmaybe you should sit down?” he asks. I relax when I hear the teasing tone in his voice, but I stay quiet, and he continues, “How long?”

“A long time,” I answer, knowing he means how long have I known that I’m gay.

“Phoenix Harding, huh?” he says, and I almost chuckle. This sounds a lot more like our normal conversations.

“Um, yeah. He’s actually really great.”

“I reckon he’s a good choice. At least he knows what your life looks like and the dangers of the sport. You know your mom’s going to want to meet him.”

And that’s that.

I’m out to my dad and his biggest concern is that my mom is going to want to meet my boyfriend.

“Maybe you guys can come to the season opener in Kentucky?” I suggest.

“I take it this means you aren’t coming back home?” There’sno guilt trip in his voice, he’s just making sure he knows the plan.

I can’t help my smile as a warm feeling spreads throughout my body. “I am home, Dad.”

“Sounds serious.”

“It is,” I confirm. “So, Kentucky?”

“Yeah, son. We’ll be there.”

He gives the phone to my mom after that, and I repeat the process to another loving parent. Ultimately, I decide not to tell them about Colton just yet. I feel more comfortable tellingColtonhe’s my kid before anyone else. Once he’s made aware and has gotten a little more used to the idea, I’ll tell my folks…because nothing—and I do meannothing—will keep my mother from getting on a plane, finding Alexis, and smothering herandColton with affection until Christmas.

One piece of news at a time.

Chapter 40

Phoenix

On our flight home, I see Walker scrolling through his emails using the plane’s wi-fi. His mouth is set in a grim line, telling me it’s more bad news. Sure enough, he hands his phone to me and I read the most recent sponsor email.

Another sponsor has dropped him.

This makes four.

Walker had an unusually high number of sponsors to start with, but he relied on them. And now we’re down to three despite LXR staying on board.

Of course, they all deny they’re dropping him because he’s gay, instead saying that it’s because he won’t be able to finish this season and they need their brands represented. Neither of us bothers to mention they sponsor multiple riders so Walker not competing hurts them very little, if at all,orthat we’ve known his season was over for almost three months and they’re only just now deciding to revoke their sponsorship.

They also balk at a coach dating his rider, and while that’s avalid concern, as Mack pointed out, this sport doesn’t have a rule against it. Andtechnically, we were a couple before I became Walker’s coach.

I hand his phone back, leaning over to kiss his cheek. “We’ll figure it out,” I mumble in his ear.

It’s on the drive home that an idea strikes me.