Page 37 of Playing for Keeps

Luke grinned. “I’m pretty sure that’s not the only take-home message from Harry Potter.”

“It’s the one I remember.”

“Why am I not surprised?”

As I continued to shoot the shit with Luke while I ate, a satisfied feeling spread through me that had nothing to do with filling my stomach and everything to do with making my best friend laugh.

Chapter10

Luke

Being home was fantastic. Best decision I ever made.

I loved living in Christchurch.

I loved playing for the Marauders.

The bumpy ride I’d braced myself for when people found out I was gay hadn’t happened. I’d posted some pictures on Instagram of Jonathan and me in our nicely unpacked house and hashtagged it #homesweethome.

A journalist had picked up on it, and there had been an article written in the local newspaper about the fact the Marauders had another gay rugby player in their midst.

But then people had responded on social media saying there were never headlines announcing another straight Marauders player, so why should there be commentary on the fact I was gay?

Things were improving. It was great to see.

I’m sure it helped that I’d had a fantastic start to the season. I’d slotted into the starting back line seamlessly and was the leading try scorer so far. We’d won our first four games and everything was gelling on the field, so the mood in the team was upbeat. Rugby commentators were saying this was our season to win the Supreme Rugby Championship.

I wasn’t about to get caught up in the hype. The Greens were looking good, and the Queensland Cardinals were also four from four to start the season. There was plenty more rugby to be played.

How much the game of rugby meant to this city became apparent when Jonathan and I turned up at the sports field on Saturday morning to watch Theo’s first rippa rugby game.

It was weird to be recognized, to have people do double takes when I walked past, the brave ones coming up to ask for selfies.

While I’d had some fans in Japan, the majority of people I’d come across in my day-to-day life hadn’t known anything about rugby. The same could not be said about Christchurch, New Zealand.

“I’ve got to get used to hanging out with a celebrity,” Jonathan said after we were stopped for the third time.

“Yeah, it’s a bit strange.” We walked toward the field where Theo was about to play. We were early. Theo and his teammates were on the field doing warmup drills. Ethan was in the middle of a huddle of waist-high rugby players.

I found Char on the sideline, looking tiny in her oversized puffer jacket as she watched the warmup.

“Hey.”

She turned to me, a smile lighting up her face. “Hey, you came!”

“Of course. I didn’t want to miss out on my uncle duties.”

“It’s so great to have you back.” She gave me a hug.

I squeezed gently before I released her. “I’m glad to be back.”

Char greeted Jonathan while I looked across the field to where Ethan was demonstrating passing technique to riveted six-year-olds.

“Is Ethan the coach?” I asked.

“He’s not going to be the regular coach because he won’t always be able to make the game, but they’ve said they’ll rope him in to help when he’s here.”

“Makes sense.”