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“You’re definitely a tight end, not a wide receiver.” He winked and jumped out before Ed could answer. “Not that I’m one to kiss and tell, mind you.”
Ed got out the other side, visibly blushing, but there was a grin there too. “Of course not.”
Jack hesitated before reaching for Ed’s hand. They’d kissed inside the house, in front of all his brothers. Holding hands should be no big deal. Ed seemed tentative at first, but then he squeezed tightly.
Neither commented, but Jack knew his smile said it all. They were almost to the door when he spotted a couple of his fraternity brothers, dressed for the game, heading around from the back door. He immediately pulled his hand away.
“What…?” Ed started, but Jack motioned with his eyes. Ed froze. There, coming down the house steps, were Ben and Ed’s coworker, Cole.
Cole looked their way and then turned to the others.
“I’ll catch up with you.” Cole trotted over to Jack and Ed. “Hey.”
“Hey, Cole.” Ed held out his hand, but his voice shook.
Cole turned toward Jack. “I’m going to guess Jack isn’t really your cousin?”
“He’s my boyfriend.”
Cole held out his hand. “Cole Jenkins. I’ve worked the last two summers with Ed.”
“Nice to meet you.” Jack hoped it was, at least. “Ed’s told me a little about you.”
“Don’t believe all of it.” Cole’s smile seemed real enough. “I’m the boss’s son. I’m either an arrogant, entitled asshole or I’m talked up in hopes of getting on good with my dad.”
“Actually, he was more neutral, said you were a decent guy.”
He laughed, but Ed’s rigid posture hadn’t eased any. “I’ll take that.”
“You playing today?” Jack eyed Cole up and down.
“Yeah, Ben said you needed a cover guy. I played safety in high school, and I hear there’s beer after the game.”
“Yeah, loser buys. We had to spot them four touchdowns, but I still think we can win.”
“Four? Wow. Ben said you were good, but that’s a lot of points.”
Jack nodded toward Ed. “I brought along a secret weapon.”
“Right.” Cole’s expression changed, but Jack didn’t think it looked hostile. “For what it’s worth, you’ve nothing to worry about at work. My cousin Gerald is gay, and he’s my dad’s favorite nephew by a long shot. You met him. Worked the last two summers with us.”
Ed swallowed. “Wait. Gerald, the guy who looked like he could snap a two-by-four in half with his bare hands?”
Cole snorted softly. “That’s Gerry. He’s coming back again this summer. Starts next week I think.”
“I had no idea.”
“Dad and I had no idea about you either.” Cole’s smile morphed into a wicked grin. “Don’t say anything to Gerry right away. He’s always on about how he can tell ‘his kind’ and all. I’m sure he has no idea about you.”
“Your dad knows?” Ed’s face lost all color, and Jack thought he might get sick.
“Yeah, I told him after Ben mentioned you came as Jack’s date to the formal.”
Jack was sure Ed had stopped breathing, but before he could say anything, Cole spoke again.
“Don’t look so worried. Like I said, Dad doesn’t care, so long as you do your work. And he won’t allow anyone to harass you either. Just let him know if it happens and he’ll deal with it, assuming Gerry doesn’t snap them in two first.”
“Others seemed to mind when they found out about Wayne,” Ed said. “At least that’s how it seemed.”
“Yeah, there were a couple assholes who said a few things they shouldn’t have. Dad dealt with them and it stopped.”
“Wayne left a couple days after it started.”
“Not because of that.” Cole’s face screwed up for a second, and he looked away. “I probably shouldn’t say this, but he got arrested on a drug charge a week after his old boyfriend started coming to the shop. He and his ex were doing something shady and he got caught. Dad let him go when he couldn’t make bond. Didn’t want the liability of sending him into people’s houses knowing what he knew.”
“Seriously?” The tension finally melted from Ed’s frame. “I thought he quit because… you know.”
“Yeah, I know how it looked.” Cole shrugged. “He got a bit of time for the charge. He came back afterwards, asking for his old job back, but you know.”
“Right.” Ed perked up.
Jack motioned toward the house. “We’ve gotta get to my room to meet Marcus. See you on the field?”
Cole smirked. “I hope you’re as good as they say. I don’t want to chip in for beer.”
Jack laughed. “No worries. If we lose, only the brothers need to kick in. You get a pass.”
This time when Jack reached for Ed’s hand, there was no hesitation. And when they were inside, Jack kissed him. A quick nip on the lips.
“Come on.” Jack bounced as he led the way upstairs. “Marcus is waiting.”
* * *
