Chet Watakeekul

"You can go home without me," Vincent said over the phone.

I walked through the hall of the sports building. "Why?" I asked.

"I got a phone call from that cafe with the turkey sandwiches you like. They asked if I could come in now for a job interview."

"I'm going to be late too," I said. "The coach sent me a text saying he wanted to talk."

"Do you think that Robert person said something to him?"

"Probably," I said. "Don't worry about it. It's going to be fine. Let me know when you are done with your job interview. We can probably still go home together. Or maybe I'll just go to the cafe when I'm done here and we can get something to eat."

"Maybe," he said. "If the job interview doesn't go well, I'm not sure I want to eat here right after. I'll let you know."

"Okay," I said. "I love you. Good luck."

I could hear the smile in his voice when he said, "I love you too."

I navigated my way passed the cubicles of the assistant coaches to the head coach's office. There was muffled talking within, but I couldn't make out words. I knocked on the door. A moment later, the door opened and one of the assistant coaches stepped out. He smiled sympathetically at me and patted my back as he passed.

"Come in, Chet," the head coach said. I stepped in and closed the door behind me. "Take a seat." He indicated one of the seats in front of his desk. I pulled it out and sat down.

"Do you know why I called you in?" he asked.

"I'm assuming Robert said something."

The coach nodded. His hands clasped together on his desk. "He wants me to kick you off the team. He says you choked him."

"That's not what happened," I said.

The coach nodded. "It doesn't sound like you. I want to hear from you what happened."

"He told me that Mateo and I should leave the team because we are gay and make the rest of the team uncomfortable."

The coach shifted uncomfortably in his seat with a slight frown on his face.

"For the record," I said, "I'm not gay, I'm demisexual, but I do have a boyfriend. I told Robert he didn't have anything to worry about because he didn't have anything for me and Mateo to look at."

The coach guffawed before he caught himself and grew serious as if his outburst never happened.

"Escalating the situation might not have been wise," he said.

I was careful not to roll my eyes. "Robert was clearly discriminating, coach. I thought this university and the soccer program here don't allow discrimanation."

"We don't," he said. "But right now it is his word against yours. Did you choke him like he said you did?"

"No," I said. "But I did get a little physical. I didn't hit him or anything. I just pushed him up against the wall...by his throat."

The coach looked disappointed so I went on quickly, "But I swear it wasn't enough to hurt him. There wasn't any bruising on his neck or anything was there?"

"No. But that doesn't excuse violence, Chet. I'm going to have to mark this in your record. It's off season right now so it won't really affect anything, but too many of these and you're off the team."

I nodded that I understood. "Are you going to mark him for discrimanation?"

"That's between me and him," the coach said. He paused and then said, "Why did this have to get complicated? Why couldn't it be easy? Why did this have to be the year that my players came out with boyfriends? And why couldn't the rest of the team just keep their mouths shut when they did?"

"He said my boyfriend and I were going to go to hell," I said, "which was fine, I can handle that. But then he said he hoped my boyfriend would get raped."

The coach breathed in sharply.

"My boyfriend gave up everything to be with me," I said. "His last name is Kinsington. You know the Kinsingtons?"

The coach nodded because everyone in this town and the neighboring towns knew of the Kinsingtons.

"They kicked him out when he refused to break up with me," I went on. "He doesn't have anything in his name. He doesn't have any money. He doesn't have an apartment or a home. Nothing. Because he loves me. I can't let someone talk like that about him. I can't."

The coach sighed. There wasn't a hint of disgust or frustration on his face, only understanding.

"As far as why it couldn't be easy, coach, would you really rather I take the easy route and let everyone walk all over me and insult me and those I love? Is that the type of player you want? Or do you want the type of player who will fight and push and never give up no matter what comes his way? Do you want players that are going to insult their teammates and cause discord or those who will stick by each other?"

The coach drummed his fingers on his desk as he thought about what I said. Finally, he nodded. "Obviously I want players like you, Chet. This write up isn't going to affect you because it is your first one and we're off season. I still have to write you up. I will talk to Robert personally about discrimination and respect and let him know under no certain terms am I going to kick you off the team. I think I'll call in the rest of the team and talk to them about discrimination too. This discord can't continue. Especially once the season starts again."

I nodded that I understood. I stood up to leave.

"Chet," he said when my hand was on the door handle. "I am glad you are on the team. You are a great soccer player and a great team player."

I smiled and left. I got on a campus shuttle and headed towards the cafe. I was almost there when Vincent sent me a text.

My Love: I just finished with the interview.

Me: How'd it go?

My Love: Good. I think.

Me: I'm almost there. Do you want to eat there?

My Love: Sure. I'll order, but you're going to have to pay. Sorry I don't have any money.

Me: Don't be sorry. If you get the job, you can buy me dinner.

My Love: Deal.

I got off the shuttle and went in the cafe. Vincent sat at the back looking at his phone. I went and sat across from him. He looked up and smiled a grand smile that heated my soul. I remembered last night - or early that morning - in the shower. Together. Him inside me. Now I was getting hot everywhere. Vincent smirked and I was sure he knew exactly what I was thinking about. He reached across the table and entwined his fingers with mine.

"I like being able to touch in public," he said quietly.

"Me too," I said.

"What did the coach say? Did he bring up Robert?"

"Yes," I said. "Robert told him I choked him which isn't exactly true, but I did touch his neck and push him against the wall so the coach said he had to write me up."

"What does that mean?"

"If it was during the season I would probably have to miss a game. It doesn't really mean much right now except if I get too many of them I'm off the team."

"Did you explain to the coach why you did it?"

"Yes."

"Mind explaining it to me?"

The server came with two lemonades. He smiled at our entwined fingers and then left us. I took a sip of the lemonade without letting go of Vincent's hand.

"I told you why," I said to Vincent without looking at him.

"You told me he wanted you off the team because you have a boyfriend. And you told me he said you and I were going to hell."

"Right," I said without looking at him.

"But I don't think you would push him against the wall just for that," Vincent said.

I sighed and put my head down on my arm. "I don't want to say."

"Why? Was it something bad about me? I can handle it."

"I know. I don't want to think about it."

"Okay," he said and let the subject drop. His hand that wasn't holding mine ran through my hair. "You know that lady that served us the first time we came here that I apologized to?"

"Yeah," I said. I sat up straight and took another sip of lemonade.

"She's an assistant manager now," he said. "She is the one who interviewed me."

I looked around and saw her behind the counter preparing coffee. "Was it awkward?"

"No," he said. "She was nice."

"I hope you get the job."

"Me too."

The house was empty when we got home. I was prepared to sit at the desk and do homework, but Vincent sat on the bed and pulled me next to him.

"I think I want to call," he paused and took in a long breath. "I want to call my biological dad."

"Okay," I said. I squeezed his hand. "I can leave to give you some privacy."

"No," he said and held my hand tighter when I tried to leave. "Stay here for support."

I settled next to him and nodded.

His finger shook as he pushed the call button and then put it on speaker.

"Hello?" a male voice said on the other end. It was clear by his tone of voice he had no idea who was calling him.

Vincent was silent. I nudged him. "Hi," Vincent said into the phone. "It's Vincent."

"Oh," the male voice was warmer, but a little hesitant. "I'm glad you called me. This isn't what I have for your number."

"My number changed," Vincent said.

"I see."

"Actually, my family kicked me out because I wouldn't break up with my boyfriend. That's not why I'm calling or anything. I'm fine. I don't need anything from you." Vincent winced. I squeezed his hand and leaned into his side. "Knowing that I have a boyfriend, do you still want to meet?"

"Yes," the voice on the other end said without any hesitation. "I'm busier now than I was when I first called you though. I don't know when I can get there to see you."

Vincent's expression darkened.

"But," the other voice said, "could you come here this weekend?"

"I don't have a car," Vincent said.

"We can borrow my dad's," I blurted out. Vincent smiled at me.

"Then I'll send you a text with where to meet and a time," the voice said.

"Okay," Vincent said. "Can I ask what your name is?"

There was a long pause and then the voice said, "They didn't even tell you my name?"

"No."

"It's Dean. Dean Axle Lance."

Vincent and I looked at each other. I mouthed 'cool name'. Vincent smiled and nodded in agreement.

"Then we'll see you this weekend," Vincent said.

"I'll see you then."