Page 94 of Unforgettable Player

“Seriously?”

I nod, my hands getting sweaty.

She blinks hard at me a few times, like she’s trying to figure out if I’m telling the truth.

She shrugs. “Okay, cool. You’re still boring as shit.”

I snort.

“Jesus, Scout,” Mom says. She’s standing up and heading toward me, hugging me in another second. “Richard, why aren’t you saying anything?”

“He already told me. Sorry.”

They have their own silent conversation over my head. When I glance at Scout, she’s watching me like she’s seeing me for the first time.

Someone rings the doorbell.

“Who’s that?” Mom asks.

Dad gets up. “I’ll get it.”

I think my heart stops when I hear him say, “Elliot, hi! What a nice surprise.”

Mom’s still hugging me when he walks in. There’s an obvious, weird vibe in the room. He pauses, watching us all. I’m just glad he doesn’t look upset. I’m glad he’s here, even if I can’t be with him the way I want to be.

“What’s going on?” he asks.

Scout looks at me. “Can I tell him?”

I nod.

“Connor’s bi. He came out and Mom got all OTT.”

Elliot’s eyes get wide. I give him a miniscule shake of the head I hope conveys that I didn’t tell them our secret. That I’ll take it to the grave, if that’s what he wants.

“Um, Connor, that’s … I actually don’t know what to say. No one’s ever come out to me before.” He smiles and everything in me soars.

Mom laughs.

Dad comes back in, hovering around the table. “Sit down, Eli, let me make you up a plate.”

“Actually I already ate with my dad.”

Scout’s face lights up.

They have this silent communication between them. It’s different to the kind my parents have, but it still works. In another moment, Scout’s standing from the table. “I’m done, let’s go upstairs.”

When they leave, I have to sit with my parents, wondering what they’re talking about up there, while Mom asks about boyfriends and moments of realization. “What do they call it, a bi-awakening?”

“Jesus, Mom, who are you talking to?”

ELLIOT

Scout closes the door and heads over to the record player.

“Tell me everything. How did you get your dad out of his study? Did you talk to him about therapy? Do you need me to do anything? I can drive him to his appointments.”

She has her back turned and I tell myself I could chicken out, but the second I saw Connor, I knew I couldn’t. He came out to his family for fuck’s sake. He has already been brave. He told me what he wants. I’m the only one running away now.