Page 71 of You, Again

That was pretty much exactly what Nolan had said. I took another sip and stared out at the pond. Fuck, my head was a mess. I wanted to be angry with him for pulling the rug out from under me, but Sienna’s presence signaled change. The glamorous model and the pro hockey hero went together like peanut butter and jelly. It didn’t matter that we weren’t a real couple. We were pretty enough to make headlines, and that had been enough.

It wasn’t enough anymore.

“Sienna, Ihavemoved on. This is where I want to be. Here.”

“Here? I know it’s home for you, but there’s nothing here, honey,” she replied with a conspiratorial laugh. “What would you do with yourself? There’s no pro team nearby and you’re not close to any major broadcasting networks. You’d have to commute by helicopter to get to the airport, and that might be fun the first few times, but it’ll get old fast.”

“And this is why I told you it was time to move on after my season ended. I’m not interested in that life anymore.”

She stared at me blankly. “You met someone.”

Wow.She was good.

“Yeah, I did.”

Sienna smacked my arm. “You sneaky son of a bitch. I knew there was a reason you left me asleep on your sofa instead of inviting me upstairs. Did I meet her yesterday? Of course, I did. Why didn’t you say something? Fuck, she must hate me. Does she know I’m here now? Shit. What did you tell her?”

Was I doing this? Coming out? I’d literally tossed and turned, thinking about it all night. Everything I wanted was here, but it wasn’t a place. It was a person. A man. My shot at anything beyond summer with Nolan required honesty. And bravery.

So, yeah…it was time to tell my truth.

“There’s no her.”

“What does that mean? You just said—” She went still. “A man?”

“Yes.”

“No! You’re not gay.”

“I’m bi.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“I’m…in shock,” she said after a long moment.

I shrugged. “It’s true.”

“Oh, my…” A slow smile curled at the corners of her mouth. “You’re full of surprises, Vinnie Kiminski. Tell me all about him. He’s gotta be special for you to come out and—are you coming out? I won’t say a word.” She crossed her heart. “You can trust me.”

“I do trust you. Coming out is…going to be weird, but I’ve been thinking about this most of the summer, and it’s time.”

She nodded thoughtfully as she put her cigarette out on the ashtray I’d given her. “Are you ready for the press? They’ll swarm this tiny town, scrounging for juicy tidbits about you and him. Warn him or…don’t mention his name. Maybe give everyone a chance to get used to the idea of you with a dude before you feed him to the wolves and—”

“You’re not helping.” I snorted.

“I’m sorry. I’m on your team. Tell me what you need, and I’m there.” She slipped my coffee mug from my hand and took a sip. “Gross. Needs cream.”

“Get your own coffee.”

“You’re the worst host ever,” she teased. “But you’re a good guy. Whoever he is, I hope he makes you disgustingly happy. You deserve it.”

“Thanks.”

I didn’t mention that I had some groveling to do. I was inwardly reeling with a renewed sense of purpose.

This was happening.