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What if there were parts of me that no amount of dedication or discipline could change? Parts of me that didn’t need fixing but might still disappoint the people who loved me? I could spend every waking hour becoming a better football player, giving the coaches and scouts every reason to believe in me.

But I couldn’t train myself into being straight. I couldn’t make myself want the life everyone assumed I’d have. I couldn’t guarantee that coming out wouldn’t change how my parents or friends looked at me.

Because what if I was honest about who I was only to find out it still wasn’t enough?

CHAPTER 52

Theo

HORNY DEVIL: I have a question.

I swear I’m on time.

HORNY DEVIL: That’s not it.

HORNY DEVIL: I’m not hiding down here, but I need to know if you want to be out down here as well.

Oh. I never thought about that.

HORNY DEVIL: You don’t need to answer now, Theo, but just know, whatever you choose, I’ll respect your decision.

I want that though. I just didn’t realize we could.

HORNY DEVIL: Secret vacations will do that. I’ll see you at arrivals pickup. Be safe.

The second the plane doors opened, Florida hit me like a wall. Hot, humid air wrapped around me, sinking through my clothes almost instantly. My shirt clung to the small of my back, and my jeans were stiff around my legs. I took three steps down the jet bridge before I regretted every clothing decision I’d made—from the outfit currently sticking to me to everything I’d packed for the wedding weekend. Apparently, I’d forgotten Florida had a completely different climate, and I wasn’t exactly equipped to buy a whole new wardrobe for a few days.

I adjusted my bag strap and kept moving, following the stream of passengers toward baggage claim. Except no one was moving fast enough. I checked my phone as I walked, even though I already knew Rhodes was waiting outside for me. He’d texted before I’d landed, telling me he’d be there when I was ready.

Now that I was here, every second between me and him felt unnecessarily long.

The people in front of me seemed to move slower than humanly possible, taking their sweet time as if no one else existed in the world. One stopped directly in the middle of the walkway to check her phone while the other decided that was the perfect place to reorganize her luggage.

I slipped around them with an apologetic smile and picked up my pace. My bag suddenly felt twice as heavy, the airport seemed to go on forever, and baggage claim was practically a walk to another state.

By the time I reached the carousel, I was bouncing on the balls of my feet. I stared at the slowly revolving belt.

Nothing.

I sighed with frustration. Of course it wouldn’t be that easy. Why would it when Rhodes was just outside waiting for me? That single thought was torture and made waiting unbearable.

I checked my phone again.

HORNY DEVIL: Did you land safely?

Just seeing his name made me smile.

Nope. Just doing circles in the air.

HORNY DEVIL: Brat.

I smiled because I couldn’t help it. I loved when he called me a brat, almost as much as I loved pushing his buttons.

I’m just waiting for my bag.

HORNY DEVIL: Good. Take your time. I’m not going anywhere.

Take my time. I scoffed. Absolutely not. Not when he was right there, and I was right here. Taking my time wasn’t an option.