Rookie Move (Playing for Keeps #1)(51)

Garrett had followed me home. He’d kept shit in his car for when he stayed at my place. We’d sucked and fucked all over my house like we got some kind of prize for how many places we could come together. Though I hadn’t let him take my ass yet, I had a feeling I would soon. I’d let him stick a couple of fingers up there, and I had to say, Nance didn’t know what he was missing. Garrett had rubbed my prostate and basically made me shoot my brains out of my cock. It was one of the most intense orgasms I’d ever had.

We showered together, then climbed into my SUV to head to Stella, a popular restaurant in Denver that was used to serving high-profile customers. It wouldn’t be odd for the two of us to be seen together there. I didn’t worry about it, didn’t think people would assume we were on a date or anything. I’d been with both Houston and Tucker how many times? It was shitty that I had to think that way, which was partly my fault. I shouldn’t care if people knew I was queer, but I just…didn’t want to be known for anything other than football. I’d finally taken hold of my own career and wasn’t asked about my dad in every interview. I didn’t want my game to be overshadowed by something else.

But if I was being honest, I’d admit my little act in the locker room likely wasn’t helping me any.

“You’re being quiet. Change your mind?” G asked when we were seated. We’d chosen to eat outside. They had a patio with outdoor heaters at each table and fairy lights strung across the lattice ceiling.

“Nope. I’m good.” I wanted to be out with Garrett tonight. I should worry about what that meant—this was only supposed to be a friends-with-benefits thing, after all—but I liked spending time with him. He made me feel…more real, if that made sense.

“You’re being weird,” Garrett said.

“I know you are, but what am I?”

“An idiot?”

We each ordered a beer, steak, potatoes, and veggies. When we were alone again, after getting our drinks, Garrett leaned back in his chair, watching me.

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing.”

“You’re so gone for me.”

“You wish.” He lowered his voice. “Any trouble with your dad lately?”

The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. I wasn’t used to people talking to me about him this way. How the media did it, yes, but not with the concern Garrett had in his voice. “He hasn’t shown up, but it’s only a matter of time before he does. He’s still calling, though.”

“You don’t deserve that.”

I didn’t. But then, did anyone? “It sucks, ya know? I used to wonder what it was like to have a real father, one who gave a shit. He only cared about himself—not me, not his career, just himself, money, fame, and having a good time. All I am to him now is what I can give him.” I took a swallow from my beer, surprised I’d shared that with him. I didn’t typically crack open my heart and show my insecurities that way. “Fuck, I have no idea why I said that.”

I could see it in his eyes, that he was as shocked as me, but pleased I’d opened up to him. I also knew he wouldn’t make a big deal out of it, and there weren’t enough words for how much I appreciated that.

Garrett shrugged. “That’s kinda how we’ve been from the start. I told you about how I feel getting compared to Houston.”

“True. You’re a strong player on your own, G. Even if the comparisons are out there, it doesn’t take away from how badass you are.”

“You’re just saying that because you want in my ass,” he countered.

“You’ll let me in there regardless. You’re always begging for this cock.” He laughed, and I plucked a piece of ice out of my water and threw it at him. “I’m sorry again about today.”

“I’ve been dealing with that for years, Rams. It’s not going away.”

“Yeah, but I haven’t. It’s not easy to sit back and hear someone you care about being called a name like that.”

He opened his mouth, closed it, then took a drink of his beer. I couldn’t help wondering what he’d almost said.

The waitress showed up with our food, breaking up the weird heaviness in the air. When she was gone, Garrett said, “You have mine.”

My brows pulled together. “Your what?”

“Earlier you said you wondered what it was like to have a real family. You have mine—well, ours. Mine and Houston’s. They love the shit out of you.”

Yeah, I did have them.

We stared at each other, my chest feeling a little tight. Jesus, he really was so fucking sexy—his plump lips, the sweep of his hair over his forehead, his smile.

Garrett said, “We haven’t fucked in the game room…or your home gym. We should give one of those a go next.”

Part of me hated the change of subject, but the other part was thankful as fuck. This was stupid. It was a rookie move crushing on your friend’s brother, on your teammate, but as we continued to eat, laugh, and talk, I wondered if that was exactly what I was doing.





16





GARRETT





“You got one more rep in you?” Ramsey asked as I pushed upright from the weighted squat and the bar rattled back into place.