Page 27 of Scoring the Player (Chasing Rings #2)

ARNAZ

“Exhumation”

They found the note I carried to my grave:

These gangly bones bore unspeakable pain.

And the heart broke the day it was made.

M orale is low as we touch down in San Francisco for tomorrow’s game.

When we’re wrapping up dinner in the ballroom reserved for our team, I man up. I know I’m not the only reason for our two-game losing streak, but my spacing out hasn’t helped.

“Ay,” I say, getting everyone’s attention as I rise from my chair. “My fault, y’all. I know I’ve been off since Brooklyn. I’ve been tryin’ hard to get it back, but it’s been a struggle. I’ll be better going forward. I just need rest?—”

“Nah, what you need is a boys’ night out,” Nick interrupts.

“Aww, man, don’t ruin the surprise,” Wes whines.

“What surprise?” I look at Sid. He winks and nods for Nick to continue.

“We know something’s going on with you. And we have your back.”

“So, tuck it in. We roll out in an hour,” Sid finishes.

My lips arc in a grin. “This is where we’re going?”

“Let’s get you laid!” Wes crows, pushing me into the Castro Bar.

Hell yeah. After dinner, I went back to the room to shower and change. Feeling it could go either way tonight, I prepped just in case.

“Wait.” I stand in place. “This is a queer bar. A safe space for queer people. Men might hit on you. If it’ll make you uncomfortable, then you shouldn’t go in.”

“Why’re you acting like this is our first time?” Johan replies. “We’re all good.”

My shoulders drop. He’s right. The guys organized a celebratory night out for me after I came out. It took me a while to let my guard down and accept they were really cool with me. When I did, it was one of the most fun nights of my life.

“Cool. Let’s go.”

All heads turn our way when we enter. One guy smacks the arm of the guy next to him as his eyes bulge at the sight of Sid.

Yeah…he’s about to get eaten alive.

“My bad, man. I’ve been an asshole lately,” I yell to Sid over the music.

“Yeah. You have.” He slings his arm around my neck and pats my chest. “You know you can tell me anything, right?”

I nod.

“Let’s get you loose.” He maneuvers us toward the bar.