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“I know, but you know they’re starting to say it.”
Simeon rolled his eyes at me. “All these clowns talk about is ball. Fuck that for now. Come to fan day. You can meet the rest of Gavin’s brothers. I’ll give you the VIP treatment.”
An automatic no was just waiting to pop out of my mouth, but I thought of my father and Jasmine. They’d love to come to fan day. Jasmine would probably pass out if she got to meet Marcus.
“When is it?” I asked reluctantly.
“Next Tuesday. Trust me. It will be a good time. We practice at the stadium, the cheerleaders come, there’s music and shit—it’s a whole party.”
“It’s a waste of time,” Gavin said. “And I’ve hated it since I got drafted.”
“Because you hate the media,” Marcus said. “And don’t have patience for fans.”
“That’s not true.” Everyone’s eyes cut to me and my sharp defense of Gavin. I shrugged, refusing to back down from the statement. “I’ve been going through his fan mail with him, and he responds to people who seem to have a personal connection to the game. Or to him. But I would say ninety percent of those letters are just people thinking he’s their modern-day Spartacus. They don’t see him as a real person. Some see him as some subhuman Neanderthal they would like to fuck them in various violent ways, and others spend their time sending hate mail. It’s disturbing.”
“It comes with the job,” Simeon said. “Just wait until you get him set up on social media, boo. It will get so much worse.”
“Well, I’m dreading it, then. No one should have to deal with that,” I said. “He’s never done anything for people to be so hateful.”
“That’s the biz. That’s what comes with all this money.”
Simeon didn’t seem to be taking it seriously. And I wondered if that was because he was generally well-loved, while fans seemed to view Gavin as either some kind of masculine sex beast or a lowlife. It was strange how people thought they knew him, based on the little bit he showed the camera during conferences, a few sound bites, and his aggressive playing style.
I wanted to keep arguing the point, but a glance at Gavin told me he was watching me again. That scrutinizing golden stare. I held it long enough for Marcus to smirk. Simeon was oblivious.
“So, fan day?”
“Can I bring a friend? And my dad?”
“Of course. Bring the whole squad!” Simeon winked. “As long as you let me buy you dinner afterwards. The stadium is out in Jersey, but if it gets too late, I have no problem giving you a ride.”
He was hitting on me. Blatantly. And I had no interest in taking him up on it, but I did have interest in making sure Simeon Boudreaux wound up having dinner with my father, a lifelong Barons fan.
I nodded in agreement, grinning at the thought. Which is when Gavin got up and walked out of the room.
***
Gavin
Somewhere in the past couple of weeks, right around the time I’d watched Noah’s face light up as he threw himself into philanthropic planning schemes and he’d warned me about Joe being a nosy scumbag, I’d lost my mind. Evidence? Me wanting to smack my closest friend for putting the moves on him.
At first I’d thought I was being overprotective. Not even a week ago, I’d had this whole talk with Noah about him feeling safe, and I’d taken it seriously. As a foster kid, I’d never felt safe. Especially in the homes of people who’d temporarily taken me in. I’d been constantly reminded of my precarious position in their houses, and how they could put in a thirty-day notice with my social worker at any point. And they’d used that leverage against me.
I wasn’t about to step into the shoes of bastards who’d worked hard to ensure I would end up distrusting and despising people for the rest of my life.
He was my employee. I was his boss. He obviously didn’t trust me but had agreed to shack up in my house for two reasons only—money to help his father and to catch up on his debt. He didn’t really want to be here, but he had to be. The least I could do was respect his wishes. The same for my friends, but Simeon was laying it on thick.
As he’d run his hands all over Noah, I’d justified each jolt of discomfort by saying Simeon was shitting all over my promise. But Noah agreeing to fan day and whatever else? That had turned discomfort into outright jealousy. Especially since he hadn’t even known my damn name after meeting me at the interview, but he knew all sorts of random facts about Simeon. Simeon, who was in full-throttle, charming superstar QB mode. I was over it.
Regardless, my jealousy was a complete anomaly. Had never happened before. But it was happening right the fuck now, and I was furious with myself. Who cared if Noah was cute and a smartass who wasn’t afraid to tell me to go fuck myself? And so what if that turned me on? Who cared if he was proving to be helpful and loyal enough to warn me about Joe? He was still my employee. I wasn’t supposed to care that he was more interested in my best friend.
