Page 90 of Touchdown, Tennessee

And finally, she was on her last question.

It was one I was used to over the past year, but it was still always special to me.

“Andrew, from what I hear about TNU football, I’ve been told you’re always very outspoken about LGBTQ rights. As a gay man, do you have any words for other young students out there who might be in the same position as you?

I swallowed, nodding.

I had a lot of standard answers I could give. Ones I’d given before, for smaller news outlets and interviews online.

“I’ve said before, and I’llalwayssay that I want to inspire other young people out there questioning who they are—or young people whoknowexactly who they are, and are afraid to be themselves. I want college football, andallof football to be a welcoming place for them to do that.”

“Amen,” Miranda said.

“And also, for anyone who ever felt different,” I said.

I could still feel the liquor swirling in my veins.

But I also knew I needed to say something more.

I glanced over at Gray as I spoke, a slight tremble coming into my voice.

“For anyone who felt different because ofanythingabout them,” I continued. “People who grew up thinking they meant nothing. Whose childhoods were full of trauma. Anyone who had to fight their whole life to get what they have. I only have one thing to say.”

“Say it,” Miranda told me, holding the microphone a little closer to my face.

I looked at Gray.

“Ifucking believe in you.”

“Youswore, man!” Luke whispered nearby.

I blinked. “Oh. Right. Sorry about swearing.”

Miranda laughed, smoothing it over. “We have a slight network delay for a reason, boys. Don’t worry.”

Miranda wrapped up the interview soon after, and the camera crew finally started to disassemble their setup.

I felt like I was floating on a cloud. Still drunk, still unsure aboutanythingin my future.

But I knew one thing.

For the first time, my own public image hadn’t been my main concern.

There was something more important that I’d needed to say.

Gray had spent a lifetime not believing in himself, too. Thinking he wasnothing. And I couldn’t tolerate the idea of that anymore.

CHAPTER 14

GRAY

Andrew: Have you decided yet?

I bit the inside of my cheek as I saw the text.

A flutter of excitement hit my chest.

Can’t even get a text from him without a little burst of excitement.