Chapter 10

It can’t be true. It can’t be true, Shay thought over and over. God, what am I gonna do? I can’t let people think I’m a queer. But I care about Dwayne. I can’t hurt him. I don’t know what to do.

After some time, Shay straightened up, took a deep breath, and walked down the hall to his locker. He got his book bag and went out to the student parking lot. Dwayne and Lilly were waiting by Shay’s car. Shay hesitated, then composed himself, and walked over to them.

“How was the game?” Dwayne asked as Shay approached.

“Good. We won.”

“That’s great,” Lilly called out.

“Thanks. Uh—how was rehearsal?”

Both commented that it was going well.

When he reached the car, Lilly gave him a hug and a peck on the cheek. Shay looked over her shoulder at Dwayne. He was smiling and gave Shay a wink. Shay knew what that meant. Dwayne would be expecting their usual post-game celebration when Shay drove him home.

As they got in the car, Dwayne commented, “You should really be playing Lysander.”