Chapter 17Mathias slumped against the refrigerator. Only three beige speckled tiles separated us, but the distance felt a lot greater.
“You don’t believe I love you?”
“It’s funny. Everyone who’s supposed to be guiding me has something different to say. It’s appropriate they’re referred to as handlers, because ever since I came out, I feel like an animal in some kind of dog and pony show. Some of my coaches think I should exploit the gay announcement for all it’s worth. Attend rallies and events, act like it’s Pride week fifty-two weeks a year, and never show up in public without a man on my arm. Others say play single, so fans think they have a chance at getting with me.” He’d put both “fans” and “getting with me” in air quotes. “Still others suggest I ‘tone it down’ altogether, because
