Page 135 of Game Misconduct

“That’s what I thought. And I know you never played for the Fisher Cats. Then, why …”

Ian laughed and gestured to the TV where a basketball player was being interviewed. The banner on the screen said his name was Travis Rogers and he was a point guard for the Titans. He was handsome, with medium brown skin, hair cut in a fade with short curls on top, and an electric smile.

“Wow. I don’t blame you,” Leif said drily. “I’d follow him too.”

Ian laughed again. “Well, yeah, there’sthat. He’s also a buddy of mine.”

“Yeah?” Leif asked, a little surprised for some reason.

“We grew up together,” Ian explained.

“Oh, that makes sense.”

“That charismatic guy I told you about earlier …” Ian grinned. “That’s Travis.”

“That I can see,” Leif said, watching the way the reporter responded to him, clearly charmed. “He could be a model.”

“He’s been asked.”

Leif scoffed. “So couldyoufor that matter.”

Ian snorted. “I dunno about that. He’s way better looking than I am.”

“Wait,” Leif said slowly as pieces came together. “Is he—isTravis Rogerswho you have a thing for?”

Ian flushed. “Uhh …”

“You don’t have to answer that if you don’t want,” Leif assured him.

“No, it’s true.” Ian sighed. “I can trust you not to spread this around, right?”

Leif nodded. “Of course.”

“I’ve had a huge crush on Travis since I was a kid. I mean, he’s …lookat him. And he’s an even better person on theinsideif you can believe it.”

“Damn,” Leif said.

“But it’s … you know, it’s not going to happen. And I get it. It just sucks. And I’m kinda … stuck. Not really able to move forward, you know?”

Leif nodded again. And then, because they always did, his thoughts turned to Tanner.

As annoying and chaotic and … Tanner as he could be, there was something special about him. Something bright and funny and kind-hearted andgood.

And Leif wondered if he’d end up just like Ian, stuck and unable to move on.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

“This is your official welcome to the rainbow side!” Tanner shouted later that evening as Jesse shot confetti out of a cannon.

A shower of brightly colored paper rained down over Luke Crawford and Sebastian Breckon. Scowling, Luke shook his head, a sprinkle of confetti falling onto the floor of O’Neill’s Pub.

Tanner and Jesse had spent all afternoon and evening prepping for this and it was every bit as good as Tanner had hoped.

“I thought this was a fucking meeting about how to help Brie?” Luke grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest.

“It is,” Jesse said cheerfully. “We just wanted to also throw you a coming-out party. And a ‘welcome to the SAPs’ party for Sebastian.”

“Thanks,” Sebastian said with a laugh, tilting his head and shaking it, confetti fluttering to the floor below. “I feel very … welcomed.”