Page 24 of Unforgettable Player

“Because of Scout?” Connor asks.

“Yes.”

He opens his mouth to protest and then closes it again. “Maybe you’re right,” he says with a sigh, running a hand over his face. Everything in me groans. I just rejected a make-out session with Connor Ryan and he’s actually disappointed we can’t kiss right now. I console myself with the knowledge that it’s the right thing—the only acceptable thing—to do.

We’re quiet for a moment. Burlesque really didn’t get the memo that this is a somber moment. Cher’s belting it out up there in sequins.

Eager to break the silence, and genuinely curious to know, I ask him, “How long have you known that you’re bi?”

He clears his throat. “A while. But these past few years have been the first time I’ve … experimented.

Experimented.

“So, you’re still figuring it out?”

“No. I know I’m bi. There’s no more figuring it out. Junior year of college was just the first time I’d actually slept with a man.”

Connor Ryan has slept with a man.

I can’t stop the images rushing through my head. Connor, naked and writhing in a bed with another man. Connor on his knees—nope, I definitely shouldn’t be thinking about that.

“Does anyone know?”

“Only my old teammates and friends at college. A few people at work.”

“But no one here? Not Brad or your other friends?”

“No.”

I let the silence stretch for a minute in case he wants to say something.

When he doesn’t and it starts to get awkward, I ask, “Are you going to tell your parents?”

He swallows. “Yeah. At some point.”

“You know they’ll be cool with it.”

“I know that, it’s just …” He runs a hand over his face again. The sandpaper scratch of stubble causes heat to pool in my stomach. “I don’t know. I will tell them. Just … not yet.”

“Okay. I won’t tell anyone, either.”

“I don’t want to ask you to keep secrets from Scout.”

“You’re not asking me. And it’s your business. She’d understand.”

We share a look. Is he thinking what I’m thinking? She might understand why Connor would want to come out on his own terms, but she definitely wouldn’t understand him kissing me.

I still can’t wrap my head around it. Connor Ryan is bi, and he kissed me.

The movie plays on, but neither of us are paying attention to it now.

“I think maybe I should go to bed,” I say.

Connor looks stricken. “Shit, I made you feel awkward, Elliot, I’m so sorry.”

“What? No, it’s not that. I really am tired.”

He squints at me. “You sure?”