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“I want you to be happy.”
“I am happy. I’m a millionaire who gets to play the sport I love and fuck a hot guy for the next few months. Everything is good.”
When the crowd erupted again, my attention was returned to the field. The Tigers had intercepted the ball, Houston going crazy on the sidelines.
Charity didn’t try to talk to me about him anymore after that, and I watched as Houston’s team brought home the W.
When the game was over, I worked my way down the stands, seeing him look around. When his eyes landed on me, he grinned. “Did you fucking see that? He’s incredible! That’s the kid I was telling you about.”
He was nearly jumping out of his skin he was so excited. “You guys killed it. Good game, Coach.” I kissed his cheek.
“Hey! Cullen’s here!” Jericho said.
That was the beginning of the end of it. Parents who’d been close heard my name, and for the next hour, Houston and I stood in the cold, signing autographs for people and taking photos.
“I think it’s so cool that you got traded here and are close to Houston,” a woman told me. “I’ve been a fan of yours since you first got into the league. Being close to him is good for your game. There’s something different about you since you joined the Rush!”
If I knew her and I wasn’t surrounded by teenagers, I would have said it was all the dick I was getting, but I didn’t figure that was appropriate. “Denver is good for me. It has nothing to do with this loser,” I joked, pointing at Houston.
“Yeah, and now he’s going to be one of your rivals,” she joked.
“I feel bad for him, is all…with how the Rush are gonna kill LA both this season and next.”
The woman and I both laughed, but Houston said, “Don’t you guys see how mean my boyfriend is to me? I’m so mistreated.”
Well…I planned to treat him really well tonight, but that was something else we kept quiet.
It was a little while later that we were finally able to sneak away. Charity had been waiting in the car for us.
“They don’t even care about me anymore,” Houston joked. “They only do that when you’re around.”
“That’s because I’m cooler than you,” I replied.
“Nope. I’m team Houston now,” Charity said.
“Traitor!”
“I love your sister!”
We laughed, the three of us staying up late that night. Charity would be leaving the next day.
When we went to bed, I did exactly as I’d planned and treated Houston to another round at my ass.
“You don’t have to go,” I said the following morning. I’d been trying not to wake Houston up, but clearly, it didn’t work.
“Nah, I’ll go. Unless you want to be alone with her.”
I smiled. “Nope.”
Charity chatted most of the drive, and then when we left, Houston got out and gave her a quick hug.
“It really was good to see you again. I’m sorry if I gave you a hard time. I just…” Her gaze darted to me.
“It’s okay. I understand.” He hugged her again.
Houston got back in the car, letting us have this time. I helped Charity get her bags. I squeezed her extra tight, wishing she didn’t have to go. She was my family, the only person in my whole life who had never turned their back on me.
“I miss you already,” she said.
“I miss you, too.”
She kissed my cheek and walked away.
I watched until she disappeared inside the building and a large crowd of people.
“You okay?” Houston asked when I got back into the car. “I know how much you’ve always wanted her to be close.”
I cleared my throat, ignoring the emotion there. “Yeah, I’m good, McRae. Wanna go home and have sex?”
“Nope. I’m taking you out to breakfast.”
Which was actually kind of perfect.
Houston took me to this spot in Denver that I’d fallen in love with. They made the best breakfast burritos I’d ever had. We ate and laughed before heading to the grocery store for some shopping. He gave me shit about the way I ate, and I ignored him and maybe threw a few really bad things in the cart just to get on his nerves.
We’d just gotten back to the apartment when his cell rang. Houston frowned while looking at it.
“Who is it?”
“Coach from LA.”
I watched as he answered. “Hello?” Houston paced the room, giving me his back, and listened to whatever he had to say. Shit, were they going to change their minds? That would fucking kill him, but no…they’d signed a contract already.
Houston turned to me, gaze snagged on me. “Yeah…okay. Sure.” A pause. “No, it’s fine. I’m definitely able.” My gut got heavy, a strange tightness in my chest. “Sounds good. I’ll see you soon.”
Houston ended the call.
“What happened?” I asked.
“Their special teams coach has been in an accident. They asked me to come to LA sooner. I leave tomorrow.”
