Page 2 of Announcing Love (Sporting Pride #5)

Surge Media Arena had been Tip’s second home for a majority of his adult life.

No one knew how thankful he was to still be with the same organization, even after retirement.

His body still hurt, and he still wanted to be on the field with his teammates.

His family. Those days were over, but he wasn’t done.

He strolled through the stadium, killing time before he needed to get to the booth. The moment Tip spotted Sacha, a thrill rushed over him. That meant Artem might be there too.

A bright smile lit Sacha’s face when he spotted Tip. He headed Tip’s way, pushing his grandmother’s wheelchair along the way.

Tip met him halfway. He opened his mouth to say hello.

“Look, Sacha. It’s that sexy man who wants to have sex with Artem.”

Heat flooded Tip’s face. Tip never blushed. The day he had shown up to apologize to Sacha, his grandmother had invited Tip inside. She was one of a kind.

“Hello, Baba. How have you been?”

“Old. What about you? I don’t think you’ve talked my grandson out of his clothes yet. He doesn’t have that glow.”

Jesus. He never knew how to deal with her.

Sacha laughed. Even that was gorgeous. He looked too much like Artem. “Don’t mind her. She enjoys being scandalous.”

“I’m old. I call it like I see it. You should try it. It’s fun.”

Sacha patted her shoulder. “I haven’t earned that right yet, Baba. When I get to your age, I swear I’ll be outlandish as hell and make you proud with my eccentrics.”

“That’s a good boy.”

Sacha flashed him a smile. “How are you?”

“Good. I was just grabbing something to drink before I head up to the booth.”

Sacha nodded along. “Artem just went to get something too. You should run along. Maybe you’ll catch him.” There was no missing the laughter lacing Sacha’s Ukrainian accent.

“Let’s go. If we don’t walk away, he’ll deny wanting to chase him. The boy looks like a runner.”

At Baba’s words, Sacha immediately obeyed. He winked as he walked away. Tip waited a few seconds before hurrying toward the nearest concession booth. He spotted Artem immediately. As Artem grabbed his cup, Tip scooted in behind him, ready to surprise him.

Artem turned.

Their bodies collided.

Cold soda poured down Tip’s stomach as the cup squashed between them. Tip jumped backwards.

Artem followed, keeping the space between them small.

“Oh my god. I’m so sorry. Here.” He tossed his cup toward a nearby trash can.

Tip didn’t look to see if he made it. He was too engrossed in the way Artem attacked him with napkins.

“I can’t believe we keep meeting like this.

First my phone. Now your shirt. Just let me know how much it cost so I can give you the money to replace it. Jesus.”

Tip set his hand over Artem’s, stopping his frantic scrubbing. “It’s okay. I’m sure it’s nothing they can’t handle at the dry cleaners.”

Artem’s shoulders fell. He didn’t pull his hand away. “I’d swear I’m not usually this clumsy, but I am. My head is always in the clouds. Sacha told me it would be the death of me.”

Without thinking, Tip smoothed away the line between Artem’s eyebrows with his thumb. “Stop. I’m always happy to see you.”

Artem visibly relaxed. “Wow. I don’t know if I had to buy a fifteen-hundred-dollar phone and got my shirt soaked in just two days’ time if I would be too happy to see me.”

Tip couldn’t stop smiling. It was always that way with Artem. Fifteen hundred dollars was nothing to him and he had never been happier to have his shirt soaked. “I guess I’m weird like that. Why is your accent not as thick as your brother’s?”

Artem rolled with the subject change like he was accustomed to flighty people. “I was a toddler when my parents came here. The accent I have is purely from picking it up at home and Ukrainian being almost all my parents spoke for many years.”

Tip nodded along. He wanted to know everything. Music cut through the speakers, reminding Tip he had to work. He glanced around, remembering they weren’t alone in the world. “I have to get to work, but may I take you to dinner tonight?”

Artem’s expression fell. “Oh. I actually have to work from five to nine thirty tonight.”

“Where do you work?”

“Crafts Appeal. It’s an art supply store right off campus.”

That fit. “Okay. I’ll pick you up afterward. Would you rather I come at nine thirty where you work or wait to get you from home?”

The way Artem grinned proved he wasn’t immune to Tip’s audacity. “I’d say the store to avoid Baba’s goading, but I’m always a paint-covered mess after work and she should be asleep that late. My place? Like ten thirty? Or I could come to you? Or we could wait until tomorrow?”

“Ten thirty is fine.” The music got louder. “Damn. I really have to go, but I’ll see you tonight.”

Artem nodded, and Tip reluctantly headed for the booth. He would get a beer girl to grab him a towel and a drink since he was out of time. Being wet mattered not at all. He had a date. It felt fucking amazing.

Artem watched Tip walk away while screaming like a twelve-year-old girl inside. He had a date. With Tip Ramos, of all people. He couldn’t believe it. Artem made his way to his seat with his head in the clouds.

“I thought you were getting a drink.”

Artem nodded at Sacha’s words. “I did, and then I spilled it all over Tip.”

Baba cackled and clapped. “That’s one way to get the boy out of his clothes.”

He might have covered his face if he wasn’t so used to Baba’s teasing. “Maybe. He asked me to dinner.”

Sacha had been eyeing the field, obviously hoping to see Bandit like they hadn’t woken up together. At Artem’s words, his head whipped Artem’s way. “Really? You said yes, right?”

An uncomfortable laugh escaped. “Um, yeah. Why do you sound so desperate on my behalf? Am I that pitiful?”

Sacha’s blue eyes softened. He stroked his hand down Artem’s arm. “No, sweetie. It’s just—”

“You need a real man and not just the fantasies you paint,” Baba said, cutting in. She never even looked Artem’s way as she insulted him.

“Wow. I’m so glad I came to hang out with you two today. Otherwise, I might not have known how pathetic I am.”

“No one thinks that, angel.” Sacha looked upset, as if Artem had truly hurt him with the accusation. “I just want you to be happy, and Tip seems really sweet.”

Artem nodded along, but Sacha didn’t truly understand.

Sacha was elegant and beautiful. He had something Artem didn’t.

Artem was a dreamer and didn’t bring men to their knees.

He wasn’t even sure this was a date. Dinner didn’t mean anything.

For all he knew, Tip saw him as a friend.

Artem didn’t want to get his hopes up. He couldn’t start believing someone like Tip wanted him.

“Excuse me.” A woman in a tight team shirt and short shorts appeared at his side. She passed him a drink. “This is from Tip. He said he’s sorry his shirt ruined your drink, and he can’t wait for your date.”

Artem fought like hell not to smile like an idiot. He didn’t know what to say. It was a date. Wow.

Sacha reached past him and passed the lady a tip. “Thank you. Tell Tip Artem can’t wait either.”

She smiled as she accepted the money and slipped away. Artem’s gaze automatically moved toward the booth. He couldn’t see Tip, but he knew he was there. Artem swore he felt those intense hazel eyes upon him. Time moved too slowly to suit him.

“Awww. That was really sweet.” Sacha bumped shoulders with him.

“He could’ve sent us all drinks. I’m kind of thirsty.”

With a sigh, Sacha stood at Baba’s words. “I’ll get you something. Make me a list because I’m not going again once Bandit is on the field.”

While Baba rambled out a list, Artem slipped his phone from his pocket and texted Tip. He didn’t know if he would see it until after the game, but he already wanted to be connected in some way.

Artem: Thank you for the drink. You didn’t have to replace it. It was my fault.

To his surprise, his phone buzzed before he could put it away.

Tip: Of course I did. I was in the way when you turned. Don’t think too much about it. I get free drinks. lol.

Artem bit his bottom lip. He didn’t know what else to say, but he couldn’t let go of the small tether to him yet.

Artem: I guess I should let you work.

Tip : You’re not bothering me. We’re all on our phones up here. Feel free to text me anytime. I might not be free to answer right away, but I like hearing from you. All the banter you hear up here is just for show. For the most part, we’re all in our own worlds up here when we’re not on.

It was fascinating, getting a glimpse into Tip’s world.

Artem: Okay. If you get bored, you can text me. I’ll keep you entertained.

As Artem hit send, he wanted to cover his eyes. Was he flirting? Fuck. He was so bad at it that even he didn’t know if that was what he did. Jesus. He had no clue what Tip saw in him, but Artem would do his best to keep doing whatever had caught his attention. Things were getting interesting.