Seth’s gaze jerked to Maddox and he pressed his lips together, giving his head a quick shake. “Are you kidding me?”
“I thought you knew you could trust me?”
“I didn’t want to lose my job.”
“Seth, you have to trust me with everything. That way shit like this can’t happen.”
“What am I going to do?”
The elevator doors opened and he stepped out to four angry coaches scowling at him. “First off, you’re going to tell this group of men the truth. The team will be down here in a few minutes. The mandatory meeting starts in five minutes.”
Seth nodded, then looked each coach in the eye before settling his gaze on Louis, their head coach. “Yes I’m gay.” Slight frowns were the only reaction from the crew. “But what Channing Harris said happened, didn’t go down that way. I’d stayed late working out. He found me. I was naked and he pressed me up against the locker and had sex with me. He told me he was divorced and I believed him.”
Louis held up his hand. “The rest of the team needs to hear this. Let’s go into the room. Half of them are already in there, the other half are probably on these elevators.”
It seemed to take forever for the team to show up. When Will, Wayne, Pete and the rest of the offensive line arrived, they came and sat next to him. Then Wayne stood up and pulled him into a hug, slapping him hard on the back.
“Settle down,” Louis yelled to the group. The men quieted. They’d called everyone in for this meeting, even the trainers and the rest of the support team. “Many of you probably heard the interview.” A murmur went up around the room but Louis slapped the table and everyone grew quiet. “We play an important game tomorrow and don’t have the luxury of waiting to figure this out. Your quarterback is key to us winning. I want all of you to hear from him right now. Seth, the floor is yours.”
Never in his life had he ever been this scared. His first game as the high school quarterback paled in comparison. When he first took to the field at college in front of fifty thousand fans, that was nothing. The NFL, that first game he was called in for was easy compared to this. His knees shook and his hands were freezing. The churn of his stomach was only matched by the spinning of his head.
“Yes, I’m gay.” The guys were restless, some with angry scowls, others had blank looks. Wayne was smiling and giving him the thumbs up. “What my old coach, Channing Harris, said on that interview tonight wasn’t the truth. I was working out late, trying to improve because I knew if I didn’t I wouldn’t find a spot on a team. I’d just finished my shower when he came in and found me. He kissed me and initiated sex. At the time I had never…he was older and I was stupid. I allowed him to play with my emotions and he strung me along in an affair that lasted until I moved here in July for camp. I didn’t know he was married. He’d actually told me he was divorced. I don’t know why he is lying—”
“I do,” one of the big guys who was second string for the defensive line said as he stood. “He wants you off your game.”
“How do we know you’re telling the truth?” another guy shouted out.
Someone at the back of the room stood and cleared his throat. It was Kenny, one of the men on the defensive team. “He’s telling the truth.” The guys turned, shifting in their seats as they stared at Kenny. “One of my close friends on the Redskins told me about his time in Florida. But my friend knew Channing was still married.”
Chatter rose from the guys as some of them shook their head, others were nodding. Bruce, a guy on defense stood, his eyes on the ground. “I was going to go to Florida. Visited and all. I was just seventeen when I met Channing. He kissed me and shoved me to my knees. He made me suck him. I’ve never told anyone else this. It’s the reason I ended up at Alabama. The asshole promised me things like cars and clothes if I’d just let him fuck me. I said no.”
Another man stood, Seth didn’t remember his name. “I was at Florida long before Seth. This is my last year on this team—I’m old and I can’t play another year, but I want a ring so I’m going to tell all of you this now. We need to be united in our support for Seth. He’s gay, so am I. Channing fucked me when I was there. I liked it. Channing can be a nice man when he wants to be, but he’s a douche bag and he gets young men like Seth, and me for that matter, to have sex. If you’re pissed that Seth is gay, then be pissed that I’m gay.”
Two guys at the back of the room stood and lifted their chins. One of them spoke up. “I’m gay too.”
Three more guys stood up and nodded. Wayne jumped up and then turned to the group. “Oh, I ain’t gay, but I support my man, Seth. He’s the best fucking quarterback we’ve ever had. He’s never done nothing funny. Hell the guy doesn’t even look. I look but Seth doesn’t. He’s a good man. Stop this asshole and don’t let him win.”
One of the coaches stepped forward. It was Larry, the special teams coach. “I’m bi and have been in an off again on again relationship with a guy who got on with Florida last year as a defensive coach. He’s been sending me texts through all of this. Apparently Channing Harris was fired because he had sex with an eighteen-year-old kid who didn’t say no but later he said he felt pressured. He’s claiming harassment. The kid’s parents encouraged him to file charges against Harris. Seth didn’t do what Harris said he did. Seth is gay, but so are a lot of guys on this team.”
Two more men stood at the back of the room. Seth’s heart expanded and he no longer felt so alone.
Larry continued speaking. “We are a team and we need to act like a team tomorrow. Who will stand with Seth?”
Guys started standing, some hopping up quickly, others rising to their feet slowly. The biggest guy on the team, Amos, stood up and hollered, “Quiet!”
Everyone turned to stare at Amos. He moved closer to Seth and held out his hand. Seth reached out and Amos lifted Seth’s arm up. “I’m one of the most devout Christians on this team. I’m also the largest man here. I stand with Seth. He’s a good man. If you say one thing against him, you will have to deal with me. You all got that?”
“Hooyah,” was yelled out across the room. More guys got in on the chant inspired by the Navy men who inhabited their town.
Wayne hugged him again, then the rest of the guys on his offensive line came over to hug him. It was weird. He was out. The guys knew he was gay and they were cheering him. Louis lifted his hands and asked everyone to quiet down. It took more than a minute but finally the room was quiet.
“I speak for all of the coaches when I say we stand with Seth. This is a direct order and you won’t disobey it. No one, and I mean no one talks to the press. No one sends a text about this to anyone, even your spouse. Go up, get some sleep, talk to your wife or girlfriend but not about this. We need to have a united front tomorrow. Seth is a good man and now it’s time for all of us to be good men and support him.”
Seth had never felt so close to a group as he felt right then. Louis reached out and shook his hand. Then each of the coaches did the same. He had support and he had the guys standing behind him. Wayne pulled him into a tight hug before popping him on the ass.
“I knew it,” Wayne shouted. “Yeah, I knew it.”
“Can’t fool you,” Seth said.
A few of the guys were leaving but only after they offered their support with a handshake or a hug. Fifteen minutes after the meeting ended only a few people were left in the room. He felt strange, excited, but weary too. Maddox walked him up to his room and shook his hand before saying goodbye. He was alone and exhausted. He dialed Justin but couldn’t get him. Then he called Colby who didn’t answer either.
Seth brushed his teeth and then slid between the sheets. He couldn’t believe that his whole team knew he was gay and they all supported him. If he’d come out without having Channing lie about him, he imagined that some of the guys would have been jerks about it. Channing hadn’t realized what a positive spin his accusations would have.
Chapter Thirty
Colby’s phone rang and he hesitated before answeri
ng. It was an unknown number and he worried that it was Neil. He answered anyway.
“Hello.”
“Colby, it’s Justin Kallis, Seth’s agent. I need you to pack a bag and go downstairs. A black car will pick you up in fifteen minutes.”
“What? Why?”
“Please. I need you to just do what I ask.”
“Is Seth okay?”
“He’s fine.”
Worry filled Colby. “Is he hurt?”
“No, but I need you to do this. Bring your license so you can board a plane. I’m getting on a plane in Houston. I’ll meet you in Denver.”
“You’re freaking me out.”
“I’m sorry, but I need you to just do this. Please trust me. I want what is best for Seth and at this moment, I know this is best. Also, please don’t tell Seth. Really, this is the best course of action.”
“Okay. But this had better turn out good.”
“It will. Trust me, I won’t steer you or Seth wrong.”
Colby hung up and realized he had about ten minutes to pull together clothes, his toiletries, and his computer. He looked back over his shoulder, making sure everything in the kitchen was off before leaving.
Justin had sent him instructions and he was downstairs just as the car pulled up. He checked with the driver, making sure he had the correct car. He called Seth on the way to the airport but there was no answer. Colby didn’t want to leave a message so he hung up.
The drive to the airport didn’t take long. They pulled up to a small building that wasn’t the normal terminal and he hesitated at getting out when the driver opened his door.
“Where are we?”
“You’re at the private terminal. I believe your flight leaves in a few minutes. You need to hurry.”
Colby stepped into the building and a woman in a dark suit walked over and stuck out her hand.
“You must be Mr. Larsen. I’ll be flying you to Denver. Mr. Kallis has requested we leave immediately. I believe I can get us out of here in about twenty minutes. So, if you’re ready, let’s go.”
He nodded but felt like he was making a mistake. After loading onto the plane and before they started to taxi down the runway, he called Seth. Still there wasn’t an answer. He turned off his phone for takeoff but worry filled him.
Though he was exhausted, he couldn’t sleep at all. He kept wondering what had gone wrong. When the plane landed, Colby was even more disoriented than ever. It was late in Denver and he knew Seth needed his sleep so he didn’t call him. The pilot led him off the plane to the small private terminal where Justin was waiting for him.
“Thank you,” Colby told the pilot.
“You’re welcome. Have a good evening.”
“Colby, come on. We’re going to head to the hotel for the night. I have a suite where you can sleep.”
“What about Seth?”
“We can’t talk about it right now. When we get to the hotel I’ll explain everything.”
Colby shook his head and didn’t budge. “Tell me something now or I’m not moving.”
Justin glanced around then sighed. “Channing did an interview.”
Colby let the words soak in, then nodded. He followed Justin out the door to the lot where a car with dark windows was waiting for them. Once inside the car, Colby wanted to talk, but the driver was right there. The airport was fairly far out so it took a while before they were at the hotel. They checked into the suite and Justin let him get settled before he knocked on the bedroom door.
“Do you want to come out here to the main room so we can talk?” Justin asked when Colby opened the door.
“Sure.”
“Okay, I know you don’t really know me, but I do care about Seth. He’s one of my favorite clients.”
“Tell me what happened.” Colby’s imagination was running wild. “Is Seth okay?”
“Physically, yes. Earlier in the evening Channing gave an interview and said Seth seduced him and attacked him.”
“What?”
“I want to watch the interview with you right now if that’s okay?”
Colby reached for his phone. “I need to call Seth.”
“You can’t, he’s asleep. Right now, his job is to play a perfect football game tomorrow. He loves you, but he’s working.”
“Fuck, this sucks.” Colby lowered slowly to the couch and put his head in his hands. He heard Justin zip open a bag and saw him pull a laptop computer out. He sat back and waited as Justin hooked the computer to the TV. “Did you talk to Seth?”
“Briefly. He was going into a meeting with his coaches.”
“Fuck. He could be cut from the team.”
“He hasn’t yet. I haven’t received a call from the Chargers’ representative so there’s a good chance they won’t cut him. But he has to focus on the game. After the fourth quarter, he’s all yours.”
Colby nodded, wishing things were different but knowing Seth would respect him more if he could handle this and not freak out. “Okay, let’s watch.”
Justin sat on the couch beside him as the video started. Colby recognized Channing and stiffened. Justin reached out and took his hand. They both watched in stunned silence as Channing began speaking. When he told the lie about Seth going into his office, Colby wanted to throw up. Then he realized he was clenching Justin’s hand and loosened his hold. It was painful to watch. When the video ended, Colby slumped in defeat. How would Seth recover from this? He glanced up and found Justin unplugging the computer from the TV.
“Are you sure he still has a job?”
“Yes.”
Justin’s phone rang and he answered. “This is Justin Kalis.” Justin’s cheeks grew pink and his lips turned down as he listened. “It would have been nice if you would have called for a statement before you ran that piece of junk.” Colby wanted to jump up and wrench the phone from Justin’s hands, but that would probably only make things worse. “Yes, well, of course. No, you’re not going to get a chance to speak to Mr. Mercer before the game tomorrow.” Again, Justin was quiet for a few seconds. “This is the statement from someone inside Seth’s camp. Mr. Mercer’s main focus is to play football against the Denver Broncos in the morning. After the game, Seth Mercer will provide a statement responding to these false allegations.” Justin hung up and threw his hands up in the air. “Fuck!”
Colby wished he could talk to Seth, but like Justin had said, Seth had a game to win. After it was over, he and Seth would have time to work through everything.
Chapter Thirty-One
Seth woke late and jumped up as Maddox pounded on his door. “I’m up,” he called out as he raced to the bathroom. How had he overslept? He had about thirty minutes to shower and eat breakfast. After washing quickly, he headed downstairs to the private room where they had breakfast set up. He ate his usual pregame meal, just much faster than he normally did.
“Hey, I was worried, you didn’t show up when you usually do.” Maddox took the seat beside him.
“I don’t know why I overslept. I usually wake easily. I guess it was the stress.”
“We really do support you. Talk amongst the guys is good. They support you, really. It’s not just lip service. A couple of guys told their stories of friends who were at Florida. The man took advantage of his position.”
Seth nodded and took another bite of eggs. “I can’t really think too much about it now.”
“Play ball. That’s all you have to do. We’re sending Louis out front to give a statement when we load into the busses out back. We’re not tossing you to the sharks. You’ll be protected and taken care of. Don’t worry, none of us want you distracted before the game.”
“We make the playoffs no matter what, right?”
“Yes, but if we win and the Texans lose, then we get a bye week.”
“I like playing,” Seth said.
“I know. But with a bye next week, we can allow some of the banged up players to heal and you can deal with this.”
Seth nodded and took another bite. �
�I’ll be good for today’s game. I haven’t talked to Colby yet, but he loves me and that’s all I need to remember.”
“When you have something to play for, someone to take care of at home, it makes it easier to stay focused.”
Seth nodded. “He helps me.”
“Next week, I want to meet him. He’s important to you so he’s important to me.”
“Okay, I’ll remember that.”
Seth finished his breakfast and had enough time to use the restroom and grab his things, but not enough time to call Colby. He was happy to see a text from his man. That Colby supported him made all the difference in the world. From Colby’s text, he could tell that he hadn’t heard about the interview. Colby would be too angry not to throw a fit.
They loaded onto the bus while Louis did a little bait and distract action, revealing absolutely nothing about Seth or what the team was planning. Louis hopped into a taxi and drove to the stadium on his own.
Every man on the team said good morning to him, some giving him handshakes or fist bumps with a few hugging him. Wayne was right beside him. When they rolled into the stadium lot, another group of reporters was there to ambush them. But the team built a wall around him, not allowing anyone to get close.
They were locked down and even during warmups he wasn’t bothered by anyone. He could only imagine what was being said about him, but he decided not to pay attention to the chatter and instead he thought about Colby and how sweet he was. They were out now and he guessed they could do things like go to dinner and maybe head to a few gay clubs and have fun.
The coaches called them into the locker room about thirty minutes before the game was set to begin. He wanted to talk to Colby, but he knew any discussion he had with his man would take longer than the time he had. He did check his phone and saw one text from Colby. The rest of the messages he ignored and only opened the one from his lover.
Colby: I love you. Play hard and kick some ass.
Seth smiled and decided not to text back until after the game was over. Any reply he sent would be laced with his worry. Coach Louis gave his pregame speech and they were lining up to head out. He wouldn’t fall victim to the taunts yelled at him. He had a game to play and no words could stop him.
After The Snap Page 32
