Page 29 of Hidden Plays (Desert Football #1)

“I do. My son is gay, so I’ve seen some things. I don’t have any problems with it, and I’ll be sure any contract you sign gives you the protections you’ll need.” He paused. “My son plays minor league baseball. He’s keeping his private life private for now. What you decide is up to you.”

Damn, he really understood. Uncle Brian knew exactly the agent I’d need.

“I plan on being out. I am now, so I don’t see how we could hide it at this point.

Plus, I don’t want to.” I was so done with that shit.

I scanned the empty main room, the gaming controllers on the coffee table.

When would the guys pile through the door?

“I’d like to start working with you and have a contact drawn up we can review. Did you want me to allow your uncle to review it as well?”

“I do.” Mom and Dad wouldn’t know what to do with it. My pulse slowed. “If he reviews it and gives it his blessing, I’ll be good with it.”

“Great. I’ll send it to him, and if all goes well, then I’ll be sending it to you for e-sign after your last college game,” he said. “Do you have questions?”

“Not right now, but I’m sure I’ll think of something.” Shit, I should have prepared for this call a little better. I tensed my mouth.

“No worries. You can text or call me if something comes to you, and Jordan? I’m looking forward to working with you. You’ll do well in the draft.”

“Thanks, I’m happy to be working with you too.” I glanced at my open laptop with my half-finished assignment staring me in the face. “Talk to you later.”

“Of course. Bye.” He ended the call.

After hanging up, I texted Holden.

JJ

An agent called me. My uncle, who played with the Niners, found him for me. I’ll probably be signing with the agent as soon as my uncle approves the contract and I’ve played my last college game.

Harry

Great news! I’m so happy for you!

Warmth raced across my heart. Holden knew this would be coming. He knew how important it was to me. Hopefully, his brother’s meeting would go well.

That evening, I sat on the couch and watched Eli serve a steak dinner to the guys.

“You sure you don’t want some?” Eli set a plate of steaming baked potatoes on the table while Casey, Malik and Tex eyed me.

They all knew what was happening. I glanced at my text messages with Holden. There were only a few more minutes to wait, and I’d be meeting him at Yucca.

Harry

The fucker is thirty minutes late. I don’t think he’s coming.

JJ

How much longer do you want to give him?

Harry

Let’s wait another fifteen and then come here. He’s not even answering his phone or my text messages.

The last message was almost fifteen minutes ago. “No, I’m pretty sure I’ll be meeting Holden at the Yucca Tap Room.” I watched the screen on my phone, my stomach grumbling. Eli’s dinner sure smelled delicious, damn it. My phone chimed.

Harry

Come meet me. I’m done waiting for him.

I tapped on my phone.

JJ

Be right there.

Hopping off the couch, I scrambled to the kitchen counter and grabbed my keys. “See you all later. I’m meeting my boyfriend for dinner.” A wide smile played on my mouth.

“Have fun!” Casey called out.

I parked opposite the bar, then crossed at the corner.

I knew this place existed, but I’d never visited.

I’d heard it had good bands. I strolled to the glass doors at the entrance, a metal awning covering them, nested inside a long plaza facing the street.

Swinging the door open, I stepped inside.

As my eyes adjusted to the darkness, I squinted. The smell of stale beer filled the air.

A stage rested toward the back of the room, full of four-top tables in dark woods.

The floor was a neutral checkered tile, and a mix of wood paneling and clay-colored paint covered the walls.

Behind the stage, a sign clung to the wall, reading, Yucca Tap Room in big letters.

A few people sat at tables, and a couple played pool to the right of the stage.

“JJ, over here.” From one side of a long bar, Holden waved to me, wearing a black shirt and jeans, his blond hair falling in waves around his face.

I up-nodded at him and smiled. He always looked so fucking good. “Hey.” I stepped over to him and hitched onto a tall barstool.

Leaning in, he placed his hand on the small of my back and kissed my cheek. “Hi, gorgeous.” He slid a menu my way.

He kissed me in public? In a place like this? My heart pattered against my ribcage. “That’s quite a greeting.”

“Yeah, well, I told the bartender my boyfriend was meeting me, and she asked me if I knew the queer band that played in here sometimes.” He narrowed his eyes. “You ever heard of a band called Knot Me?” He sipped his beer, fixating on me. “I guess they do pop-punk covers.”

I thought back. Why did they sound familiar? Oh, shit, I’d heard about them from Myles. “Yeah, Myles knows them. I think they played at the gay bar a few years ago, and it was quite a show.” I scanned my menu, full of typical bar food. “I was a sophomore and underage.”

“Not that you frequented the gay bar, right?” He snickered and shifted his barstool closer to mine. “Anyway, the bartender said they’re queer-friendly here. Her daughter is gay. Started out as bi, but decided men were not for her anymore.” He pointed at the wall. “See the flag?”

I glanced across the bar at the wall. A smaller Gay Pride flag hung between two neon beer logos. “Oh, cool. I had no idea.” I narrowed my eyes at Holden. How much had he drunk while he waited for his asshole brother? He was quite chatty.

He touched his head to mine. “Maybe I’ll do the same thing and be done with women.”

My gaze swung to his, and my lips quirked. “If you’re with me, you’re damn right you’re done with women.” He hadn’t thought through what he’d just said.

“Oh, yeah. Sorry.” He tapped his finger against his glass. “I’ve only had two, but I haven’t eaten since lunch.”

“Okay, we'd better order then.” Had he been nervous about meeting his brother? With a chuckle, I set my menu down. Where was the bartender?

A woman with a gray ponytail and wearing a black shirt with the bar logo strung across her ample chest strolled from behind a set of swinging doors and rounded the end of the bar. With a grin sweeping her mouth, she stepped to us. “Oh, is this the boyfriend?”

“Yes, this is JJ. He’s a star wide receiver for ASU’s football team.” Holden patted my shoulder. “JJ, this is Margaret.”

“Pleased to meet you.” She held her hand across the bar, and I shook it .

“Nice to meet you as well.” Dang, Holden had probably been talking this poor woman’s ear off. I placed my hand on the edge of the bar. “I’ll have a beer and the Tap Room burger.”

“I’ll have the same.” Holden held up his almost empty beer. “And one more of these.”

“Coming right up.” Margaret walked to her POS machine and tapped on the screen.

“So, what do you think happened to your brother?” I turned to face him. I couldn’t imagine my sister pulling a stunt like this, but then she wasn’t an alcoholic.

“No idea. Maybe he’s passed out somewhere.” With a frown, he shook his head and drank the rest of his beer. “Or maybe he forgot.” He rolled his eyes. “That’s the excuse he always gives.”

“How the fuck do you forget plans you made in the morning to meet someone in the afternoon?” They’d just been texting at practice. I watched Margaret set my beer in front of me. “Thanks.” I sipped the beer. Damn, it was good, but I could only have one since tomorrow was a big game.

“I don’t know. Like I said, it’s his go-to excuse.” He hung his head. “It really sucks. I keep hoping someday he’ll come around and get better, but it never happens.”

I hooked my arm over his shoulders. “I’m sorry, babe. You don’t deserve this.” I kissed the side of his head.

“What the hell is happening here?” A male voice bellowed from behind us.

I swiveled on my stool, jumping out of my skin.