Page 53 of Playing By Ear

“Nae words, mate. Nae words.” He dried his face, then swiped the damp towel over the back of his neck. “Sound quality could be better.”

“That’s your bailiwick, int’it? You could help him with production values, maybe make a few quid in the process.”

Not a terrible idea. Colin had a nose for business opportunities, as evidenced by the endorsement deal with a prominent condom maker, signed during his fifteen minutes of fame from saving Lord Andrew’s life. Martin would love him, if not for the striker’s rock-solid moral compass.

“You’ll keep shtum about this?” he asked Colin. “It’d be awkward if everyone knew about Perry’s side gig when they meet him.”

“Meet him?” Colin looked genuinely shocked. “We’ve never met any of your lads.”

True, as Jamie had never been with anyone long enough to introduce them to his teammates, who were his only real friends—as much as anyone could be a friend without knowing his true identity.

“If Perry’s that special,” Colin said, “then I won’t even tell Andrew. Otherwise he’ll want a foursome.” Colin grinned at Jamie’s dubious glare. “Seriously, though. It probably took loads of courage for your man to send you that link.” He clapped Jamie on the shoulder and looked him in the eye. “Don’t make him regret being honest.”

Chapter 10

After a quick shower, Perry checked his phone again. Still no reply from Jamie. He slipped into a pair of soft trackie bottoms and a T-shirt, then changed the bedclothes, all while listening for signs of life from his phone on the bedside table.

Maybe Jamie hadn’t seen his text yet. Maybe he’d fallen asleep, knackered after training session.

Or maybe he’d been so horrified, he⁠—

Perry reined in his runaway worry. Jamie didn’t seem the type to judge.

He tugged on the final pillowcase, then gathered up the bedclothes to take them to the washer/dryer in the kitchen.

As he passed the front door, the buzzer rang.

Perry jumped. “Christ.” Heart pounding, he went over and nudged the speaker button with his shoulder. “Hello?”

“Fucking hell,” Jamie said, sounding winded.

Perry dropped the bedclothes and pressed the button with his finger, leaning in close. “Was it okay?” He winced at the desperation in his own voice.

“‘Okay’? More like magnificent. Can I come up?”

“Of course.” He buzzed Jamie in, scooped up the bedclothes and dashed for the kitchen, where he stuffed them into the machine without turning it on.

He opened his front door just as Jamie appeared at the top of the stairs.

“Hiya.” Jamie drew near, carrying what looked like a kit bag.

“Did training session go late?”

“Nope.” Jamie gave him a quick kiss as he passed into the entryway. “I was at the pub with some of my teammates.”

“Oh my God.” Perry closed the outer door, his face burning. “Did anyone else see?”

“Just Colin. He’s pure excited to meet you now.” Jamie sounded jocular, but maybe that was his what-is-wrong-with-you voice.

Perry grimaced. “I assumed you’d be home when you got my text. I’m so sorry.”

“I wish I’d been home, but not cos of my mates.” He drew close. “I would’ve liked to appreciate your performance with more than my eyes and ears.”

“Oh.” Perry took his hand, then kissed him.

Jamie kissed him back with fervor, then suddenly pulled away. “I’m not here for sex. That would be awful.” He put a hand to Perry’s chest. “I don’t mean sex would be awful. I mean, it’d be sleazy of me to assume you’d be up for it because of your job. I just wanted to see you.”

Perry’s head was spinning, trying to follow Jamie’s cues. “Do you want a drink?”