Tuesday, 17th January 2023

Roy slipped into the office where Keeley was working while she was managing the work she was doing for the team and Jamie's foundation. There was less than a fortnight out from the launch gala.

"Hi, Roy, did you rethink the opportunity for a coach?" Keeley asked, thinking about her offer from that morning.

"Fuck no."

"Then what do you need?"

"I wanted to talk if you have a minute."

Keeley waved him to the chair across from her.

"I'm gay."

Keeley stared at him for a moment.

"I loved you," he continued. "That's not…I've just realised…I didn't want you to find out when Jamie and I eventually decide to tell everyone we're married, or we get outed by some twat with a camera."

"If you're not ready, you don't have to come out for anyone, not even Jamie."

Roy growled. "I never really hid the fact I thought I was bisexual but apparently no one knew."

"I didn't know either."

Roy nodded.

"I always wondered," Keeley said, smiling softly. "I suppose a bit of me thought that one day we might be in the right place."

"Me too." He paused thinking for a moment. "I've worked a lot with Dr Sharon and we were never really suited for the foundational stuff and I think that neither of us wanted to admit it so I did hope it could be you but I don't think it would have ever worked long term," Roy told her.

Keeley thought for a second and then nodded, her eyes a little sad. "You're right. I know you're right, but I still…"

"Me too," he told her, let out a gruff sigh. He shrugged with one barely mobile shoulder. "But then…Jamie happened."

"Always Jamie," Keeley argued. "You only saw me because of Jamie at the beginning."

"No one could miss you, Keeley."

"Are you happy?"

"Yes."

"We were happy too," Keeley said. "You being gay doesn't change that but…are you sure?"

Roy nodded. "Dr Sharon and I have been talking about it a lot and I'm gay."

Keeley pointed her fluffy pen at him. "If you hurt him-"

"When he leaves Richmond one day," Roy told her. "I'm going with him."

Keeley's smile was wistful.

"I should leave you to it," Roy told her, moving to stand.

"If you ever decide you want to try a little something triangular…"

"Fuck no!" Roy growled.

Keeley smiled. "Yeah, thought so. Fuck off, I have work to do and I expect an invite to this home you two built together without talking about it."

"Yeah, yeah," Roy said, walking to the door, he opened it to find Jamie standing on the other side. Roy rolled his eyes. "You muppet." He pulled Jamie to him and kissed him.

"Just curious," Jamie said, tucking his hand into his shirt. "Heard you came up here to chat with Keeley."

"I wanted to tell her I'm gay, explain, and you don't need to be curious," Roy told him.

"Not at all," Keeley promised, with a happy laugh. "He doesn't even want me to join you for a threesome."

Jamie growled. "He's mine."

Roy rolled his eyes again and shuffled Jamie out of the door, kissing him again as he pulled the door closed. He curled his arm around Jamie's waist as they walked away.

"You weren't really worried, right?" Roy asked. "It's just you for me."

Jamie shook his head. "No, but I was fucking curious what you'd snuck up here to talk to her about."

"You can always ask, I don't want secrets between us…only surprises."

Jamie smiled and pressed closer. "Did she really suggest a threesome."

"Not seriously."

"Just so you know, and we are very clear in words that both of us can understand…no matter what came before for either of us in relationships this will be a two-person relationship – you and me."

"I have two responses to that," Roy told him. "One, of fucking course it will be because I'm never fucking sharing you with anyone and it would break my heart if you weren't all in this." Roy kissed Jamie. "And two, you're a sarcastic little fuck sometimes…yes, we both heard and understood the message."

"Good!" Jamie preened. "Are you sure you don't want to do that opportunity for a coach that Keels suggested because I think you'd look hot in a nice fucking suit with those wrists showing off watches."

"No."

"Okay, but you keep giving away watches and it's become a thing."

"We needed rings, I gave him my watch, we got rings, what more do you fucking want?" Roy grumbled, touching Jamie's wedding ring.

"I could have transferred him some money…you don't need to give away physical items."

Roy huffed. "You're worth a watch collection."

"That might be the sexiest thing anyone has ever said to me…and I'm a professional footballer."

Roy rolled his eyes with a smile and took Jamie home.

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