24. Dallas

Dallas

" Y ou fucking ready for this, Boone?" I chuckle at Benny—who's in a much better mood these days, but especially tonight. He still hasn't told me what happened between Mya and him, but I guess he's okay.

That's just Benny for you. He always bounces back, no matter what. He'll tell me eventually.

"Yeah. I'm ready!" I shout back at him, and he's grinning with way too much pride, but it makes me happy. I am ready.

It's always strange playing Kensley, but I do feel like I'm prepared. I feel almost renewed these days. It's the last game of the season, and I've been spending a lot of time over at Colt's.

I head over there after school a lot, and I don't even bother answering my mother when she asks where I was. Moving in with him is sounding better and better every day.

I've even been able to spend a lot more time with Chloe and Christian. I'm becoming an expert at changing diapers, and I feel like a king every time I do it because I did it. I'm not failing.

He even seems to kind of like me.

Benny is coming over tomorrow to meet my son, and I couldn't be happier about it. Everything has changed.

And everything is better.

I don't even care if the same shitheads on the team grumble stupid-ass comments on their way past me. It's like I'm untouchable right now. They can't hurt me because I'm loved.

It's a strange feeling, but damn, it's a good one.

We pull our helmets on and run out on the field. I don't know if my parents are here tonight, and there's no part of me that even cares if they are. I do know Colt is here.

And he said he was going to bring Chloe and Christian, if it was okay with me. I told him hell yes .

The thought of my son in the stands is oddly reassuring to me. It makes me want to play even harder. We run out onto the field and listen to the crowd scream for us. Football is everything around here on Friday nights. That's for damn sure.

I look over to see the other team on the sidelines, and that's when I see Coach Leighton, standing there with Coach Asher. I smile because they look truly happy there, standing next to each other and going over the plays.

No one is booing at them or seems to be saying anything hateful. They're married and living in Kensley. And they seem to be thriving. It gives me hope, and I have to wonder how many students, probably even some guys on the team, see them, and it gives them hope too.

I've made up my mind, and before I can talk myself out of it, I'm running over to their bench, pulling my helmet off as I approach. Coach Leighton doesn't look upset or startled to see me, and I'm relieved by that. "Hi, Coach."

He gives me a warm smile. "Hi, Dallas. How are you?"

"I'm gay," I blurt out—not exactly loud, but not quiet either. Just firm and unwavering because it's the truth and one I feel like I owe him.

I swear there's a look of pride on his face, and then he glances at his husband, who gives him a reassuring, happy nod. He turns back to me. "I'm happy for you." He says it with so much sincerity. "You okay?"

I want to cry because after everything I did to him, I know he really cares whether I'm okay. He wants me to be okay. "I'm more than okay. I'm so damn happy. And I'm in love."

He's smiling brightly now. "You look happy."

"So do you," I say looking over at Coach Asher and then back at Coach Leighton.

He smiles, looking at the silver band on his left ring finger and nodding. "I am. Getting fired was the best thing that ever happened to me. And even though it wasn't your fault at all, I'm grateful to you, Dallas."

I nearly lose it because some of the guilt finally disappears as he tells me this. He's told me this before, but I never let myself believe it. "They shouldn't have done that to you. I told them they were wrong, but they just..."

"They railroaded us both, kiddo. It's okay, really," he says firmly, and this time, I let myself believe him. I believe Colt when he tells me it wasn't my fault. I believe in myself because I know, while it wasn't smart to take pictures of him, especially without his knowledge, I didn't do it to hurt him. I didn't mean for anyone to ever see it. I wasn't trying to hurt anyone. I was just trying to find me.

"I know," I say, my head held high.

But I immediately flinch, my body going tense as hell when I hear, "Boone, get your lazy ass back on the field."

Goddamn, I hate this fucking coach. "Why don't you watch how you talk to your player, Coach?" Coach Leighton says to the man running up to us with anger in his tone.

"Why don't you mind your own damn business, Leighton, and worry about your players?" He steps closer to Coach Leighton, and I tense up even more. "We don't really take very kindly to you people around here, Leighton. I'd shut your mouth and keep your eyes down if I were you."

"You people?" Coach Leighton laughs, but it's dark and angry. Good. He doesn't have to take that. I'm not laughing, that's for damn sure. How dare he?

"No!" I say loudly. "You don't talk to him that way."

"Dallas, it's okay," Coach Leighton tries. "I've got..."

"No." I can't seem to be quiet, and I'm grateful for it. "I've been silent for so damn long. Retreating into myself. Blaming myself. Taking your punishments, but it's not right. I did nothing wrong. Coach Leighton did nothing wrong. He's the best mentor I've ever had. He's the best man, and you're just hateful and cruel." My coach's face is beet red now, but I don't care. Not one part of me is afraid. I don't know if it's true or not, but I swear I can feel Colt's gaze on me. Holding me up. Keeping me strong as I face yet another bully.

"Don't you dare talk to me that way, you little shit," he growls. He moves to grab my shoulder pads, but then Coach Asher steps between us.

"Watch yourself, Coach. I'll report your ass so damn fast if you touch him."

My coach ignores the man's deadly threat, but he does drop his hand from touching me. "You want to ride the bench the rest of the season, Boone?"

I snort at that. "Go ahead."

He looks flustered. "What?"

"You heard me. Go ahead and bench me. Benny and I are all you have out there, and you know it. You need me far more than I need you."

"You little?—"

"Oh, he's definitely right," Coach Leighton cuts in with pride that makes me puff out my chest. "You have no shot without them, and I guarantee if you bench one, the other is sitting out."

"Goddammit," my coach curses. "Go warm up," he says to me, walking away and flailing his arms, which makes me laugh because it's so damn ridiculous.

"I'm proud of you, kiddo," Coach Leighton says.

I hug him quickly, not able to resist because I owe him so damn much. "Thank you for everything," I say and release him before running back to my side and playing my heart out.

Not for Coach.

Not for this town.

Not for anyone other than me.

And it feels so damn good.