Hey everyone! Sorry it's taken me so long, but here is the latest chapter. After reading all three of these stories I knew that this was a sign that I needed to stop putting it off and continue this story. Thanks for your patience!
http://www.outsports.com/2014/1/28/5348936/conner-mertens-willamette-football-kicker
http://www.outsports.com/2014/2/3/5372976/chandler-whitney-gay-baseball-walla-walla
http://www.outsports.com/2014/2/5/5379200/scott-cooper-gay-football-linebacker-augsburg-college
CHICAGO
It had finally arrived. The final stop of my summer tour was upon me. In just a few short weeks Lars and I would be getting married. I spoke with my parents the day before. The plans were all set. We would have the ceremony at a courthouse on top of a hill in my hometown. There was a reception hall right there in the courthouse, so we would have the ceremony, dinner, and celebration all in one place. I was going through the ceremony plans in my head as we were walking to the reception hall. Lars was holding my hand the entire time.
"Ready Steve? Your last appearance. What an incredible summer it's been huh?", he asked with his always sexy smile.
"I know. I couldn't have done it without you I hope you realize that", I said as I leaned in to kiss him.
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Our table had a very diverse group. One guy stood out to me in particular though. His name was Robbie. In just a few weeks he was going to start pre-season training for football at a nearby college. He talked about how he had come out at the end of his senior year, and that he was well-received. He wanted to attend this event in hopes of speaking to me directly and getting some advice.
"It was no problem coming out to people I had known, but I'm nervous about doing it among a group of people I don't know", he said. I could sense the worry in his voice.
"How about the two of us meet afterwards and discuss this further?", I asked him.
"That would be great Steve", he said with a smile, making it obvious he had calmed down a bit.
It was my turn to get up and talk. I made my way to the stage.
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"It's been truly an amazing summer, one which I will never forget", I said to the crowd as I struggled to hold back the tears. Finally I couldn't take it anymore. I began to let the tears flow.
"I just want to conclude by saying this. To all of the gay youth out there who are afraid to be who you are, know that you are loved, you have support in places you'd never expect, and that things are getting better all the time. You will find acceptance and love, I promise. Thank you.", I finished as the crowd applauded.
As I walked back to my seat I glanced over at Robbie. I could tell he was touched by what I said. I returned to my seat and gave Lars a hug, while at the same time smiling at Robbie.
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After the event ended Robbie and I headed over to a coffee shop nearby to talk. Lars went up to the room and would wait for me. We found a place where we would have some privacy to talk and sat down.
"Lars seems like a great guy. You're lucky to have someone like him", Robbie commented.
"Thanks Robbie", I said.
"I hope one day I find someone like him", he said in a slightly melancholy tone.
"You will, and you know what? It'll be even better because he will be yours", I said with sincerity.
"Thanks Steve", Robbie said. He looked very touched by what I said.
Robbie began to explain his situation to me.
"I guess I'm just nervous to be myself around a group of people I don't know", Robbie said, "I mean I remember how often my high school teammates would use gay slurs. I'm not sure if I can be open in an environment like that", he added in a worried tone.
"Robbie, if you don't feel comfortable, there's nothing wrong with keeping it a secret. It's your life and your business. If you feel comfortable in your current environment though, I recommend that you be honest with yourself and others about who you are. In college I had to hide who I was because I felt it wasn't safe for me, and it carried over when I went to Europe, even though I felt completely comfortable around my team. I say you should give it a chance and have faith in people. We've seen incredible progress in just the past few years.", I told him. I could tell he felt reassured by what I was saying.
"Okay Steve, that sounds great! I feel much more comfortable now. I may not come out right away, but I for sure won't hide it if anybody asks", Robbie said with a smile.
"Hey that sounds great man. You're going to have a great experience I promise. Just remember that if you ever wanna talk, you can email or Facebook me anytime", I told him with a pat on the shoulder.
"For sure. Thanks for everything Steve", Robbie said as he got up and gave me a hug.
"Anytime Robbie", I said.
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When I returned to the hotel I said my final goodbyes to Robbie.
"He's going to do amazing things I know it", I thought to myself with a smile as I got into the elevator.
When I entered our room Lars was laying on the bed watching TV. He immediately turned it off.
"How'd it go with Robbie?", he asked.
"It went great. He's going to be just fine. He's a little nervous to come out at college, but he seemed to be more comfortable with it after our conversation", I replied. I laid down on our bed next to Lars and wrapped my arms around him. I began to cry.
"I see so much of myself in him Lars. I feel like I passed a bit of myself onto him", I said through the tears.
"It's because you have Steve, and not just to Robbie, but to all the other young people you've come into contact with, like Mike, Chris, Liam, and Joe", Lars said as he stared into my eyes.
"You're right babe. I still can't believe how far I've come at times, and that in just a few weeks I will have come even further with you", I said as I leaned in and kissed him.
After cuddling for several more minutes, Lars and I got out of our clothes and showered off. We then got into bed and went to sleep. Before falling asleep, I thought about how amazing the wedding was going to be, and how Robbie was going to succeed at being who he really was.
