Chapter 34

Jane spent the next two hours on the computer watching clips of King and Sam doing interviews on CNN, Fox, ESPN, and the major networks. While she’d been hiding up here burying her head in the sand, they’d jumped in with both feet, trying to stamp out the fire. If they’d said it wasn’t Jane’s fault once, they must have said it a thousand times. According to those two, she was an innocent, unlucky to have them both fall in love with her and lead her astray. The most interesting thing to come out of it all, however, was Sam opening up about his war experiences and his PTSD. Half of the interview he and King had done yesterday with Stan Litchfield on ESPN’s Football Junkies had been about Sam’s experience as a war vet with PTSD, both in civilian life and in the NFL. Sam still looked horribly uncomfortable talking about himself, but she could see that having King by his side made him stronger—strong enough to face invasive questions, like when Litchfield asked him whether or not he was gay, and if so, had he admitted it in the Army?

No, I’m not gay, Sam had replied. I’m bisexual, which means I’m attracted to both men and women. So, yes, I’m part of the LBGTQ community, although admittedly a new member. No, I didn’t identify as bisexual when I was in the Army. It wasn’t until I met King and we became involved that I realized I was bisexual. When we met Jane, it all clicked for us.

So, Litchfield had followed up, yet another Rebels threesome. What’s going on? There are a lot of angry people out there demanding the NFL suspend the Rebels franchise, or at least the players who are involved in the relationships in question. How do you respond to that?

I realize polyandrous relationships are kind of a new thing on the spectrum, Sam replied, looking very uncomfortable, but honestly, it’s our life and we’ll live it as we see fit. We’re not hurting anyone else, so I don’t see what the big deal is. Jane had been thrilled he’d used the word she’d taught him.

King, what about you? Do you two speak for the other players involved in similar relationships, including veteran center and team captain Cass Zielinski?

King had laughed openly at that, and his big, booming laugh made Jane tear up. She missed it. She missed him. No one speaks for Cass but Cass, King said. But I agree one hundred percent with Sammy. It’s our life, and we aren’t hurting anyone. We never would. Sam won’t say it, but the fact is, he went to war to defend Americans’ right to live their life as they see fit. It doesn’t seem fair that people are trying to deny him the same right he fought to secure for them, does it? Litchfield agreed that it didn’t seem fair. That made Jane forgive him the gay question.

What does Jane have to say about all this? Litchfield finally asked, and her heart pounded, waiting for their answer.

She’s not speaking to us, King admitted sadly. All of this has ruined her life. She’s a great nurse, did we tell you that? Yeah, and she can’t work because people, the press, they won’t leave her alone. She had to take a leave of absence from work. And all over the news, the things they’re saying about her, that’s all wrong. She’s a nice lady, sweet and generous, but tough when she needs to be. But this circus is too hard, even for her. As much as we love her, we can’t blame her for running away. She didn’t sign on for this, Stan. She didn’t want it. She was worried about what would happen if people found out about us, because she saw the way Marian and Randi are treated in the press. She was right to be scared, I guess. Sam was sitting next to him looking like his puppy had died.

You boys have been all over the news saying the same thing, Litchfield said. And she still won’t talk to you?

Sam shook his head. No, but I don’t blame her. I don’t think it’s us. I think it’s everyone else and the way they’re talking about her and about us. This kind of relationship presents its own challenges. And I have post-traumatic stress from the war, and sometimes it just feels like one obstacle after another keeps piling up on top of us. Trying to navigate all that while living in a fishbowl…Man, that’s hard. You know? We just want everyone to leave her alone and let her go back to the way it was before we came into her life. I think that’s what she wants, and we just want her to be happy.

Then I hope that’s what happens, Litchfield said. Jane started to cry, because that wasn’t what she wanted. Her life had been empty and lonely and miserable before she met them. The months after Orange Beach had shown her what it was like to be alone after having them. She’d been able to tolerate it because there had never been a chance for more. But now she had more than a chance. They loved her. They were all over the news telling the world they loved her. She grabbed a handful of tissues and hit rewind, listening to Sam’s answer over and over. Finally she let the rest of the interview play.

What about the NFL response, and some players who have been very vocal about your relationship? Litchfield asked. Team captain Darren Peltz of the Las Vegas Rough Riders has said that if you were on his team you’d have been suspended. And legendary Southeastern State coach Rufus Sedgeway said that this sort of relationship will signal the end of professional football if the league doesn’t take disciplinary action against you. On the other hand, prominent figures from other sports have publicly supported you. Diamonte Weber of the Clippers recently came out as bisexual, and he cited the Rebels players as his inspiration to live openly and honestly. And Patrick Burke of You Can Play says this is a watershed moment for professional sports, and the Rebels are leading the way. How do you feel about being in the spotlight, both the good and the bad?

Sam ran one hand over the short hair on the top of his head and then rubbed the shaved lines on the left side. He was still wearing that goofy haircut. Damn if she didn’t love it now. She couldn’t see his other hand. She bet it was in his pocket, holding on to that picture. I don’t like it, he admitted, blushing. I’m not big on being in the spotlight. But I guess you already knew that. Litchfield laughed.

Yeah, he told Sam. I’ve been trying to get an interview with you for months. You wouldn’t agree until this happened. Jane pressed a hand over her heart. She’d made him go on TV. He hated being the center of attention.

I wish everyone would just live their lives and leave us alone to live ours. But if they’re going to make a big deal out of it, fine, I’ll go to the mattresses.

Make a note, Litchfield said to the camera. Our first Godfather quote. Sam grinned.

Also, Sam added, congratulations to Diamonte for having the courage of his convictions. He’s a great guy. I talked to him this week, and his support is really appreciated.

As for the rest of the NFL, King said, jumping into the conversation, time will tell. We had a bye week, so Sunday will be our first game since all this happened.

A big Veterans Day celebration is planned, right? Litchfield asked. At Gulf Coast Arena. Sam, are you going to take part?

Yeah, I am. He sounded reluctant. We’re going to honor several members of the various branches of the service, and there will be a big fireworks display after the game. So if any veterans are coming to the game, be prepared for that.

Oh, God. Fireworks? And Sam had agreed to that? Why on earth would he do that? She didn’t get an answer, because that was the end of the clip.

Jane blew her nose and headed for the bathroom to take a shower. She turned on her phone and called Margo on the way.

“Hello?” her cousin said. “Is this really Jane? Because I thought she moved to Tibet and forgot how to use a phone.”

“It is Jane, and I’m very, very sorry,” she said. “I guess I need to get used to saying that. Congratulations on being the first of many who will get to hear it over the next few days.”

“Oh, thank God,” Margo said, relief evident in her voice. “You’re back. So what are you going to do?”

“I still don’t want to have to deal with the press,” Jane warned her. “So we’ll have to figure out a way around them. At least for now. I know I’ll have to deal with them eventually, but I’d at least like our reunion to be as private as possible.”

“They stopped staking out the apartment days ago,” Margo told her. “Mrs. Lipnicki sent her dog after a couple and they all left soon after that.”

“That is the meanest schnauzer I have ever met,” Jane said in admiration. “I’ll have to thank Mrs. Lipnicki.”

“She said to send the boys over for a cocktail.” Margo laughed. “They should enjoy that.”

“If they ever speak to me again,” Jane said, flipping the lid down on the toilet seat and sitting on it. “I wouldn’t, if I were them. I abandoned them to the firing squad.”

“You’re a civilian,” Margo said. “They’re trained to handle that kind of stuff.”

“Press commandos,” Jane said. “I watched a few interviews with them.”

“What about the rest of the team?” Margo asked.

“What about them?” Jane bit her thumbnail. Was the team mad at her? She hadn’t even met that many of them yet.

“They’ve been all over the news telling everyone what a great girl you are.” Margo snorted.

“Oh, man,” Jane said, shocked. “I owe so many apologizes and thank you’s.”

“Yep. So when do we begin?”

“Can we still get tickets for tomorrow’s Rebels game?” She’d never been to a football game in her life and had no idea how that worked. Did they sell all the tickets ahead of time?

“It just so happens I have two tickets sitting here in front of me, for the Rebels’ private box, reserved for family and friends.”

“What?” Jane asked. “How did you get them?”

“Sam and King sent them over with one of the giant bouquets sitting here wilting. I almost hated to tell them that you were at my parents’ house. I miss getting flowers every day.”

“I need a disguise to sneak in,” Jane said.

“Blonde or brunette? Or redhead?” Margo asked. “I think you should go red.”

“Definitely red,” Jane said. “Like Merida in Brave.”

“Seriously?” Margo asked in astonishment. “You’re really going to let me do that to you?” She grinned enthusiastically. “All right, I’ll see you in a couple of hours with your disguise. That way you can try it on before tomorrow.”

“What time does the game start?”

“You are a terrible WAG,” Margo told her. “Kickoff is at eight thirty.”