The Hidden Life Read Free Page B

directly to Ann Arbor, Michigan. Destination: Colin.
    Once I reached the wide-open highway after passing through the heart of Chicago during the morning rush hour, I picked up my phone and shot him a text, knowing he was still in class. Thankfully, my schedule that last semester of school was set up to where I didn’t have any classes on Friday, but my rowing team had practice from 6 to 8 every morning, and as team captain, I tried my best not to miss unless it couldn’t be avoided.
     
    Me: On my way, practice ran a little long. Should still make it by lunch.
     
    It didn’t take him long to respond. I knew he’d been looking forward to this weekend for as long as I had. With both of our busy schedules and the four hours of highway between our colleges, we hadn’t seen each other since we’d both gone home to Boston for Christmas. And even then, with families and others around constantly, we hadn’t had any chance to be alone. I needed a whole lot more than a few stolen kisses here and there.
     
    Colin: Gotta stop by the athletic center after class for a few minutes. Should be home by 12:30. If I’m not there, let yourself in. Monroe stocked the fridge and pantry for you.
     
    Me: Cool. What time is she supposed to come over? I need a piece of you before she gets there.
     
    Colin: You always think you need a piece of me, insatiable bastard. She gets out of class at 3, should be at my house shortly after.
     
    Me: Perfect. See you soon, you sexy beast.
     
    Colin: 10-4
     
    I tossed the phone onto the passenger seat, wearing a huge goofy-ass grin as I turned up the radio and daydreamed about the man who I’d fallen head-over-heels in love with. After our high school graduation party — the day we first kissed — our relationship instantly morphed into something much deeper than I had ever imagined. We spent many nights that summer up in our childhood tree house, experimenting and exploring the parts of each other’s minds and bodies we’d never shared with anyone else. And staying true to his moral principles and values, we never went ‘all the way’ with each other, though we did just about everything else.
    By the time we left for college that August, the intimate bond we had created was solid, resilient. Neither of us knew what would happen once we were hundreds of miles apart, but I was glad I had chosen Northwestern over some of my other options, as it was the closest to the University of Michigan and allowed us the opportunity to visit each other on a somewhat regular basis. What I didn’t foresee coming — or I guess I should say who I didn’t see coming — was Monroe Taylor. Colin’s ‘girlfriend.’
    Now, before you bash me for continuing to talk to and hook up with Colin after she entered the picture, let me explain a little. When he first told me about Monroe, I was not only insanely jealous of someone else being close to him, but extremely skeptical of her intentions as well. You have to understand, Colin Cassidy was a hot commodity entering college. Recruited by more Division I football programs in the nation his senior year than any other player, people all over the country knew who he was and the high hopes that Michigan had with him leading their team. Including money and fame whores who were looking for their golden ticket by claiming him as theirs. Just like her mom had done with legendary rocker Sage Hawthorne.
    I wasn’t stupid. I knew that with his strict Catholic parents and upbringing, along with the high probability he’d be playing in the NFL one day, the chances of our secret relationship ever being public, of him ever coming out of the closet, were slim to none. My only hope was that because I knew he didn’t find women sexually attractive, he would continue to live the single life for a while, focusing on improving his craft and working with kids in the community. I would do the same, maybe take a girl out every so often to prevent any rumors from starting, leaving us free