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“Oops.”
“You’re going to be the death of me. Do you have any idea the shitstorm that’s just fell into my lap because of this?” He storms over to me and slaps my chest with a newspaper. The headline readsASHER VAUGHN IS OUT OF CONTROLwith a picture of an ambulance outside of the bar I was at last night.
“Look, dudes with bones made of glass should keep their fucking mouths shut.” I should probably feel bad for this, but I don’t. “We all have problems, and just because money isn’t mine doesn’t mean I’m an easy target. Dude ran his mouth to the wrong person at the wrong time.”
“You’re going to Black Diamond to stay out of the spotlight, or the team is trading you.” The fury coursing through him almost makes him vibrate. “The story is you’re going for anger management. You’re welcome.”
I lift an eyebrow. “What am I supposed to be thanking you for, exactly?” I toss the newspaper aside and stare him down.
“I convinced the team to allow you another chance if you went away quietly for a few weeks and came back with a better attitude. You won’t get that chance again, so don’t fuck it up or you can find yourself another agent as well.” He storms out of the gym, and I can’t help myself from watching his ass as he goes.
Knock it off.
I shake my head and turn away from the surprisingly round globes of my agent’s ass and stare at myself in the mirror. I need to get my shit together.
Forcing myself to the shower, I strip out of my sweaty clothes and blast the hot water. Today I allow myself to indulge in my guilty pleasure: thinking about Eli.
His sweet face and unruly golden curls as he shoots me a secret smile where Marcus couldn’t see him. I shouldn’t have wanted him. He was my best friend’s little brother. A boy I helped take care of and raise even though he was only three years younger than me. My mom loved them, Marcus and Eli.
Even she left them, though. Left me. I’m alone now too, and it fucking hurts. Having to wear this fake persona when I leave the house. Pretend like the only emotion I have anymore isn’t anger. I’m tired. Tired of hiding. Tired of running.
Wrapping my hand around my dick, I picture Eli. His slim frame pressed against me in the pantry of his parents’ kitchen, his lips working mine just as aggressively as I did his. Him being smaller than me fulfilled some part of me that no one else ever has. He’s the only boy I’ve ever touched, and I still crave him six years later. I knew he would keep my secret.
Now I can’t imagine the scandal that would unfold if I were caught with a man. The team might just cut me loose, pay out my contract just to get rid of me.
I squeeze my eyes tight, remembering Eli and imagining the things we didn’t get to experience. What it would feel like to sink into him, hear him moan my name. My cock pulses in my hand as I work myself over. Tingles have goose bumps breaking out across my skin as my orgasm hits, leaving me shuddering and weak.
Enough. Man up.
Leaning both palms on the wall of the shower, I breathe deeply and clear my head. Eli is a dream I can’t ever have. Wishing my circumstances were different won’t get me anywhere. Setting my shoulders, I turn off the water and dry off before heading to my bedroom to pack. It’s bullshit that I have to go, but Black Diamond isn’t the worst place to be sent to. I’ll miss some of the organized team activities, but I’m sure I’ll be back by the time training camp starts.
I pull on some underwear and grab a suitcase, shoving clothes, headphones, my toiletries, laptop, and chargers into it before zipping it closed. Knowing Franklin, I’m sure there’s an itinerary already printed out and ready to go. My flight will have been booked for some time in the next two days as well.
I should call my dad.
Why? He never notices when you don’t call.
With a bone-weary huff, I pull up my old man’s office number and call his secretary. There’s no point in calling his cell phone, he won’t answer it.
“Good afternoon, Mathew Vaughn’s office. Alice speaking.” The no-nonsense voice of the woman who’s worked for him since my mom was alive comes across the line.
“Good afternoon, Alice. How’s the old man?” Honestly, I speak to her more often than I do to my father. He rarely accepts my calls these last few years.
“Asher, how are you? He’s busy as usual and as cranky as the day is long,” she says, but I can hear her nails clicking on the keyboard as she multitasks to keep up with him.
“I just wanted to let him know I’ll be out of the country for a month or so. If he needs me for something, email will probably be the best bet since he doesn’t text.” I try to keep the frustration out of my voice, but I’m sure she heard it anyway.
“I see,” she says in that disappointed tone that never fails to leave me feeling chastised. “Your father had some choice things to say about last night’s situation.”
I carry my bag to the front door and look around for the flight information I’m sure is here somewhere.
“I’m sure he did, yet he didn’t call to make sure his only son was all right. Didn’t reach out to see if I needed anything or even to call me a dumbass.” I find the folder with the information for Black Diamond and my travel plans. Looking at my phone quickly to see what time it is, I curse. “I’m sorry to cut this short but I have to go. I’m flying out in a few hours.”
“I’ll pass the message on to your father. Safe travels.”
The call ends, and I shove my phone into my pocket before racing back to my room for a shirt and shoes. Fucking Franklin. He could have given me some goddamn warning.
I pull a T-shirt on, find some jeans, and slide my shoes on. I grab a sideline hat that’s light blue and yellow with the team logo on it and head downstairs. I pull up the app to call an Uber to take me to the airport but stop short when Franklin’s BMW X5 is parked in front of my building. Walking over, I open the passenger door of the black car and lean down to look at him.
