Loving the Legend (Chasing Rings, #1)

by Kit Grey

“You’re not alone anymore. I know you can take care of yourself. That’s not what this is.”

“Hold on!” Sid says, turning back to the camera. “To my family at home watching”—he places his hand on his heart, his signal to me—“god, I wish you were here. I love you, and I can’t wait to celebrate with you. I’m bringing this trophy home to you.” He sniffs as a fresh set of tears tumble down his gorgeous face.

Weepingggggg

“I love your intellect and wisdom. I want to explore inside of that expansive brain all day. You’re terrified of opening your heart up, yet you manage to love with every inch of it. You’re sexy as fuck, like goddamn!” he barks, making me laugh. “And you’re my best friend.”

“Even though you avoid the media, well people in general”—he grins—“doesn’t mean I don’t see how people interact with you. How desperately they try to get past your walls. I don’t know how I got through, but I count myself lucky that you let me in.”

“Even though I try every day, I’ll never know all of your depths. And because of that, I’ll always know humility with you. Sometimes, I fear I’ve met you too late, and we’ll never have enough time.”

I close my eyes and wish that we spend the rest of our days together and no matter the storms, each year finds us closer, happier, and more in love than the last.

He gave me the strength to do what I couldn’t for years—visit the past and come away with a sense of peace.

I know we cannot possess another person, but Sid is mine, and I am his forever. I feel it in the marrow of my bones, the tendons of my heart, the core of my soul.

love you too. I’d do anything for you. I’ll try to help in ways I think would be useful, but don’t hesitate to tell me what you need.” His deep voice relaxes some of the knots of tension in my shoulders. “What do you need right now?”

the quality of people in your life matters more than anything.

“You don’t have to worry about that. I’ll love you through whatever you’re battling. Always show me the real you, and I’ll do the same.”

“Struggling with your mental health isn’t a dirty secret. You know that, right?”

Sometimes, being seen isn’t the worst thing.

That’s not how we work. When you hurt, we hurt, I hurt!”

“The goal in healing isn’t to take anything away from you except for the beliefs and behaviors that no longer serve you.

Sid breaks the silence. “I’m convinced the Creator used a miniature paintbrush and centuries of painstaking detail to create you.”

“To the people who identify as LGBTQIA around the world—I see you. You’re not alone.” He pauses. Each second of silence charges the air with more electricity. “I’m committed to doing my part to make this a more equitable place. Homophobia is vile, and it has no place in any organization or society worth its salt. I know that it can seem bleak at times, but you deserve to live authentically. You deserve to flourish. You deserve to be here.”

“This is a powerful form of resistance—living and loving proudly while shielding yourself from internalizing the ignorance out there. I know this is easier said than done. I know it isn’t always safe to be who you are. I’m committing to do whatever I can to help change that, and I call upon others to do the same. You’re part of a great community where there are more members and allies than you think. You’re strong, brave, and resilient. Things will get better. There are many of us out here fighting to make it so. Stay safe and refuse to despair. Thank you.”

“Fortifying yourself is inner work. You need to be clear about who you are and work to love all of the aspects that make you, you. Then, no one can make you feel bad about yourself. They can try, but you’ll remember who you are and that will give you power.

I think that’s a challenge all men face. How to affirm and embrace the things that make us special even if they don’t fit the notion of what it means to be a man. How to break free of the straightjacket and anemic definition of what manhood is. True freedom is being who you are and loving with joy.

Also, if we give ignorance and ugliness so much power over us that we are afraid to live our lives, then it has won.

Human attraction is complex.”

Sexual identity is private. People are not required to come out. It is a complex personal decision that comes down to a myriad of factors, including self-identity, sense of safety, and personal needs.

“You look like a fucking model. Is that alpaca?” Kaleb teases, extending a dap.

“Nah, I’m good.” Weed bugs me out.

One of Sid’s gifts is his ability to be fully present. He makes you feel like you’re the center of the world, and it’s one of the things I love about him, but right now, I hate it.

I’ve missed you too. I’m ready to come home. I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m sorry it took me so long to get help. I was wrong for thinking I didn’t need help. I miss my best friend. I’ve had tough days. Healing sucks sometimes. I met our kids. They visit me sometimes when I sleep. I’ve spent hours wondering what it means. I think it’s a sign.

I need to make peace with the past. Our future is our family. I miss your laughter. I love you. I’ve never loved you more. I want to body-slam Arnaz for falling for you. It’s easy to fall for you. Do you still want me?

“He’s averaged 31.4 points per game, not 30.”

You better tell him about your man!!!

I clench the glass. “He’s the only one that had your back?”

He seems confused, and then his eyes widen. “I didn’t mean it that night. I’m sorry.”

He yanks me back against his chest and growls in my ear. “I thought I told you—this dick is yours and yours only.”

“You forgot?” I whimper and shake my head. “Liar.” He clasps the back of my neck and shoves me toward the pillow. “I’ll fucking remind you.” Fuck, fuck, fuck. All of the blood in my body rushes to my dick as he thrusts inside and pounds me.

“Listen to me carefully. I’m only in love with you,” he grits out,

“No hiding,” he whispers, pushing the pillow away and kissing my lips.

“Say I’ll be your husband and a father to our kids.”

Our love is a cipher. It cracks me open and lays bare the immensity of my heart.

He scoffs. “I just fed you protein, zinc, B-12, and vitamin C. Breakfast fit for champions.” “Of course you looked up the vitamins in semen, you health nut.”

“It’s, uh, well, you know him, actually.” I wince, bracing for their reaction. “It’s…um…” I clear my throat. “It’s Sid.” I’ve never seen four jaws drop at once—until today. “Sid who?” Kaleb asks. “Sidney King,” I reply.

The room falls silent, tightening the knots in my stomach. I’m glad I haven’t eaten yet. Well, except for Sid’s breakfast of champions.

“You don’t have to be depressed to seek therapy. We all have shit to work through. Know what I mean? It doesn’t hurt to have a confidential and qualified ear. It’s like a slow-release vitamin. Over time, you realize it’s working because that thing that used to fuck you up doesn’t anymore. And when new things fuck you up, there’s someone to help you avoid falling off the deep end. It won’t solve all your problems, but it helps,” Tevin adds.

I later spent countless hours searching the internet to find as much information as possible about him.”

You better stalk to manifest lol

I freeze when he pulls away from me and reaches into the pocket of his swim trunks. Oh my god!

Omggggggg

“Tyler, I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” He clears the emotion out of his throat. “You, whose beautiful soul is cast from love. I will strive every day to ensure that our family knows true joy, protection, and peace. Ours is an everlasting love forged through life’s fires. Whatever storms may come to pass, we’ll bear them together and come out stronger. Our family will find refuge in our union. Because of you, I know that love is the greatest of mysteries, and true humility is accepting its breathtaking and unfailing path. I am already yours, but would you do me the honor of marrying me?”

Wowwwwwwwwww

I should be the one down on a knee asking for his hand. It’s him who would do me the honor of being his husband. His unfaltering love has held me together on days when I could barely muster the strength to get out of bed or feed myself. He’s loved me despite my fears and insecurities. He’s given me more joyful memories than I have any right to in a lifetime.

“Sidney David King, I know in my bones that⁠—” “Yes!” he exclaims.

“Duh,” Kieran yells, and we burst out laughing as Sid hobbles the short distance and pulls me in for a kiss.

I'm NOT cryingggggg

Tevin passes the ball to Nicholas, who lobs it to Sid. He runs it in to attempt a layup, only I smack the ball away before it hits the rim. “I’m the new mayor of Block City,” I boast. Sid laughs. “You’re not even going to ease up on me on the day I proposed to you?” I stick my tongue out at him. “Never.”

“We’ve never fucked as fiancés,” I whisper. “I’ve never fucked you.” “Fine. We’ve never made love as fiancés.”

Writing Loving the Legend was a profoundly healing, humbling, and enriching experience. I tossed the story around in my head for countless months, and over time, the characters became so alive that I had to pen them—if only to free up mental space.