Date Me, Bryson Keller(34)

“We can’t afford to lose this one. We really need the points.” I smile at my friend. It’s cute how he refers to Priya’s activities as his own.

    “What is it?” Donny asks when he catches me looking at him.

“Just…you practically have hearts in your eyes.”

Donny laughs. “Is it that obvious?”

“Only to me, because I’m your best friend. And I know you.”

“The same goes for you,” Donny says. “I know you.”

Before I can ask what he means, Priya scores. Donny practically jumps into my arms, and I barely manage to stop us both from falling. When we pull apart, I’m laughing. For the rest of the game, Donny and I are Priya’s very own cheerleading squad. It works—we win two to one.

After the game, Donny and I go to grab a drink from concessions. My throat needs it.

“Wasn’t she amazing?” Donny has been talking about Priya nonstop. I know I shouldn’t, but I feel a pang shoot across my chest. I long to be able to talk openly about who I like, not just with my friends, but with the rest of the world, too. It’s unfair how heterosexuals get to love, laugh, and live so freely, while we second-guess everything. Our actions are always cautious.

As if my thoughts have summoned them, I spot Eric and his boyfriend. They’re crossing the parking lot, heading for their car. They look happy, oblivious to the few people who have stopped to judge.

Or perhaps not so oblivious. They stop and deliberately stare at those very assholes. My stomach sinks—I hope they don’t cause a scene. For every step that I take toward wanting to come out, these moments hold me back. It’s a mix of fear and anger that my coming out means dealing with stuff like this. Eric smirks and pulls his boyfriend toward him. They kiss and give the homophobes something to talk about. The group scurries away, and Eric laughs.

    I laugh, too.

“What?” Donny asks. He’s missed the boldness—and bravery—of this out and proud gay couple. Eric catches me looking.

He offers me a nod, and I find myself returning it. I decide that when I grow up, I want to be just like him.

“Nothing.” It’s our turn to order. “I’ll just have a Coke, please.”

Donny buys snacks for him and Priya, and I help him carry them to the Quackmobile. Priya arrives a short while later. She’s showered and changed, and her wet black hair is braided down the length of her back.

“You were so great,” Donny says.

“Thanks.” She smiles and kisses him on the cheek. “I’m glad we won. It was tough.”

I offer her a thumbs-up. Priya laughs. “Did you follow any of the game, Kai?”

“Hey, I at least know the basics.”

“Your dad must be so proud,” Priya teases.

I take a sip of my soda.

“You sure you don’t need me to drop you off?” Donny asks me.

“Yeah. Dad will come get me. It’s fine, go.”

    “It’s really no problem,” Donny says.

“I know, but it’s fine.”

“You sure?”

“Donald, Kai said it’s fine. We should trust him.” Priya pops a handful of candy into her mouth and chews. She heads around to the passenger seat and climbs in. Donny joins her in the car. I wave as I watch them leave the parking lot.

I finish my soda and throw the can away before returning to the stands. I scan the crowd for Bryson’s family, but I don’t see them. The Cougars are warming up as I make my way to an empty seat. Almost instantly my eyes find Bryson. He’s talking excitedly to Dustin. Bryson laughs and his whole body shakes. I find myself smiling at the sight.

Bryson continues some stretches. His jersey pulls tight against his broad shoulders as he holds one arm across his body and then the other. He spins to look at the stands. I can feel the moment Bryson’s eyes find me among the sea of people. His blue eyes widen with surprise at first, but then his face pulls into a wide grin. He waves and he could be waving at anyone around me, but I know that it’s for me. I wave back. I’m just another face in the crowd. Bryson adds a wink to punctuate the gesture.

I watch as he jogs to join the rest of his team to finish off their warm-up. My eyes scan the rest of the team and I barely bat an eye at Isaac. Who have I become?

Everyone takes their positions and the referee blows his whistle. It’s clear Bryson is the star of the team. He’s a forward who always seems to have the ball. Bryson nimbly bypasses the opposition. He is sure and confident. And only ten minutes into the game, Bryson scores.

    His team tackles him, and I can’t help but feel a little jealous at the sight. Bryson pulls away and runs to the corner, and he slides toward me. Everyone around me goes wild, and I join in. Bryson spots me cheering him on. He smiles, and if I were closer, I’m sure I’d be able to see his dimple.

The home crowd starts to cheer even louder. I pay them no mind. My eyes are stuck on Bryson. Just before halftime, Bryson is roughly tackled in the penalty area and awarded a free kick. My heart’s in my throat as I watch him climb to his feet. He limps for a bit and shakes his ankle. Only when everything seems to be okay do I release the breath I’m holding.

I take a bathroom break at halftime. When I’m rinsing my hands, I get a text from Kelly.