Page 10

Dev

“Green 64, Green 64, hut, hut.”

I faded back from the line of scrimmage and pivoted, scanning the field. Brody was double-teamed, so I threw to my second favorite receiver, Jonas Armstrong. A perfect spiral into his arms, and with his trademark explosive speed, he took off, evading tackles and making it untouched into the end zone. If this had been an actual game, the crowd would be roaring with approval, but instead we walked to midfield to listen to Coach instruct us on what we had and hadn’t done correctly.

It was mandatory minicamp training, and preseason games were beginning the following week. All of us had been in the zone, training hard all day, every day for the past two weeks. As I’d predicted, Brody had fit right in, and there was a sense of anticipation that this year we might be able to bring a Super Bowl win after missing it by a hair the year before. We were hungry, and we wanted it.

Coach Jackson, along with the offensive and defensive coaches, gathered together. “Summers, try and step out of the snap quicker. The Roadrunners have that big moose of a defensive end who can move like a son of a bitch. We know they’ll be gunning for you.”

I nodded. “Got it, Coach.”

“Yeah, Devil. Don’t want that pretty face of yours getting knocked up,” Marlon Lane, one of my buddies, razzed me, and I grinned and flipped him off.

“Beautiful catch, Armstrong. Just keep doing what you’re doing. Martin, keep your eyes on the tackles. They’re gonna double-team ya, but I know you’ve got the moves.”

I kept a neutral face.

Coach, you have no idea.

As always, Brody listened carefully, and on our next play, he sidestepped the two-man team covering him and caught my pass to run for thirty yards. Coach clapped his hands.

“That’s what I’m talking about. All right. Break for the day. Get your sleep, no partying with the groupies—no matter how cute—and see you here tomorrow.”

We tramped off the field and hit the locker rooms. Brody got there first and was already in the shower. I stripped out of my pads and gear and joined him and the others. It felt like heaven to let the hot water soak my aching muscles. My post-game massage was going to feel so damn good. I dried off, and with a towel around my waist, returned to the locker room.

“Dude, we’re lookin’ sharp out there.” Jonas soft-punched me in the shoulder. “You kept it together during the off-season or what?”

“You could say that. Spent lots of days jogging and avoiding ice cream.”

“Don’t believe him,” Brody called out from across the room.

“Hey, you be quiet over there, newbie,” I cackled.

“Blink’s a great addition. He’s big and fast. Knows where to be when you throw the ball.” Jonas pulled on his T-shirt. I eyed him. Jonas was a rock—six foot three and two hundred thirty pounds of solid muscle. Hitting him was like running into a wall, and I knew he and Brody would get along.

“Yeah, we spent some time together on the off-season, and as soon as I knew he’d be coming here, I showed him the playbook and we ran some plays.”

“Man, you only think about football.” Jonas shook his head. “You need to get out more.”

“I do just fine, thanks.” Thinking of my time with Brody, I knew I wouldn’t change a single second. “I take it you did something else?”

“You know it. My wife and I found a house, and we’re gonna have a baby.” He proudly displayed a picture of them on a gorgeous beach, with his lady showing off a sweet baby bump.

“Congrats. That’s awesome.” I was genuinely happy for him, even though I had zero interest in children.

“How about you? No one catch your eye? Or is the Devil having too much fun playing the field?”

I winked. “Life is short, my man. Gotta grab all the fun while I can.”

Zeke Cunningham, the place kicker, strolled by. “Or maybe you’re too busy playing with someone already on the field, huh?”

Jonas’s brow furrowed, and fear prickled through me, but I kept my head. “What the hell’s that supposed to mean?”

Zeke shrugged. “Just sayin’.”

I crossed my arms. “So far I don’t hear you saying anything but a lot of shit that doesn’t mean anything.”

Zeke’s locker was across the aisle, near Brody, who was halfway dressed but had stopped to listen. Music was blaring, and most everyone was minding their own business, not paying attention to Zeke. He was a bit of a hothead but always aced his kicks, so people left him alone.

Zeke faced me with a mocking smile and a calculating gleam in his eyes. “Just that you’ve got this biiig rep as Devil, like you’re a ladies’ man and wild in the sack, but I’ve never seen you with nobody. Who was the last chick you went out with? Far as I know, you spent your whole summer with your best friend, old Blink here, who you asked to be signed.”

“Yeah?” I tightened the towel and advanced on him. “You’ve been checking up on me? Why’s that?”

We were about the same height, but I was so ferociously angry, he took a step back.

Zeke shrugged. “Just stating the obvious.”

I glanced around to see Jonas and Marlon watching us. “Which is what? You’re flapping your gums now, but I’m not hearing anything.”

“I’ve heard some girls say you’re not into them, no matter how hard they try. What’s up with that?”

I’d prepared for times like this. With a lazy grin, I leaned on the wall of lockers. “You’ve been talking to my sloppy seconds, Zeke? What makes you think I need to get it on with every woman I see? I’m not a hound dog. Maybe I have standards.”

Zeke snorted. “Yeah, sure. They said you’ll do it all except slip it to them. What’s the matter? Can’t get it up for some pussy?”

With a frown, Jonas intervened. “Man, you need to stop speaking about women like that. I didn’t talk about my relationship with Ebony until we were serious. Leave Dev alone.”

“Let him talk. He’s got a bug up his ass about me, and he’s bringing Blink into it for no reason. Guy’s only been here a minute.”

“I don’t got nothing up my ass. Can you say the same?” He snickered, and I lost it and pushed him up against the locker door.

“What the fuck does that mean?”

By now a crowd had gathered, and Zeke’s lips curled. “You a pitcher or a catcher? Maybe you and good ole boy Blink here were living it up down South in more ways than one.”

I poked him in the chest. “Why, ’cause I don’t go waving my dick in front of every woman and get myself into trouble? I’m not the one running to Coach to help get him out of his messes.” Two women had already proved that Zeke fathered their children, and he was supposed to be paying a nice chunk of child support. “First thing I learned in college from my coach was wrap it up. Next was football first. Too bad you can’t say the same.”

“All I’m saying—”

I cupped my ear. “You’re still talking? You’re even more of a fucking idiot than I thought. Stay out of my way and keep my name and Blink’s out of your dumbass mouth.”

I walked away but I heard Zeke snipe, “Protecting your boy?”

Red flashed before my eyes, but Jonas held me by the arm.

“Don’t,” he warned. “Coach will fine you for fighting, and that dude ain’t worth it. Besides, Blink can take care of himself. Lookit.”

Brody took my place in front of Zeke and, towering over him, pointed a finger in his face.

“I’m nobody’s boy, get it? My momma taught me to respect women and not talk about them like you do. Now shut the fuck up and get outta my way, you hear?” Brody knocked Zeke’s shoulder on his way past, sending him stumbling a few steps. “See y’all later.”

He strode out of the room, and I dropped my towel and got dressed without another word. Everyone else started talking as if nothing happened. Marlon took out his crossbody bag and slung it over his chest.

“Don’t listen to that motherfucker. He should be more concerned about kicking the ball than talking some stupid shit. You do you, brother.”

“I plan on it. No one is entitled to my private life. Or yours, yours, or yours.” I pointed to each of my teammates. “Just because we play ball doesn’t mean we have to perpetuate the stereotype of wild men running after women like dogs with their tongues hanging out. I don’t know about you, but I respect women. I think of them as more than sexual objects.”

Jonas nodded vehemently. “Right on. I got three sisters, and if anyone thinks they’re supposed to put out, they’d better tell that to my face.”

My teammates crowded around me.

“You’re right.”

“Damn straight.”

“Anyone ever talked about my mama like that, I’ll knock their head off.”

“You know it. Fuck that shit.”

Zeke slammed the door to his locker and stalked out. My wildly galloping pulse steadied, and I pulled my bag over my shoulder . Crisis averted. While Brody had to be upset, I needed to remain behind with my team and be the leader I was.

“See you all tomorrow. Only a few more days until preseason. Let’s get ready to kick some butt.”

A shout rose in the room, and I walked out with Marlon, only to be stopped by Coach Jackson.

“Summers, hold up a sec.”

I caught Marlon’s eye. “Catch you tomorrow.”

“Later.”

I waited, unsure what Coach wanted. A quick rundown of my playing form since camp started didn’t reveal any glaring problems, aside from the usual need to drop some excess weight and put on the muscle, plus simply get into the groove of playing.

“What’s up, Coach? Everything okay?”

“Yeah, yeah. You’re looking good out there. Are you having a problem with Zeke?” Serious brown eyes met mine. “I caught some of what was going down in the locker room.”

Shame licked through me. “That was my fault. I shouldn’t have allowed his stupid mouth to get to me. I’m sorry, Coach. I won’t let it happen again.”

“Good. You’re the leader, Dev. You have to learn to rise above the foolishness, no matter how much it might upset you.”

I hung my head. “I know. I have to remember, football first.”

“We have a tough but workable schedule this year and a good shot at winning the division and going all the way. I don’t want conflict among the team. We have one mission—to win.”

Chafing under his criticism, my cheeks grew hot, and I nodded. “I understand, Coach.”

“But the management of the Kings as well as the field staff are as concerned about the players’ mental states as we are about your physical. And not only you—every member of the team. So if anything is going on you want to talk about, I’m available. No waiting.”

Shit . Did Coach think what Zeke was insinuating was true? “I-I’m okay. Everything’s great. Really. We’ve just all gotta get in the same mindset.”

Coach’s face remained skeptical. “You know, Dev, I’ve had players get in all kinds of jams—pregnant girlfriends, drugs, gambling…there’s very little I haven’t seen.” He took me by the shoulder, and something in his expression gentled. “I remember you saying you don’t have a good relationship with your parents. I hope you know that you can talk to me about anything. And if you don’t feel comfortable with that, the Kings have people you can speak with.”

“I’m good, Coach. Promise. The way Zeke talked was disrespectful to women, and I didn’t like it.”

I could see something working behind Coach’s eyes and waited. “You know, I think we can make this a teachable moment. I’m going to suggest to the owner that we do a public service message about respecting women—we all know how violence and abuse against women is a problem with athletes. Would you be up for that?”

“Yeah, sure. I think it would be great. And I know the guys would be as well.”

A satisfied smile broke across Coach’s face. “Excellent. I’ll talk to the owner, and we’ll come up with something.” He gave me a playful shove. “Now go get your massage.”

I saluted him. “Yes, sir.”

Laughing, I walked away toward the spa, where Enzo, my massage therapist, was waiting for me.

“There he is. I thought you forgot about me.” Enzo winked.

Enzo was built like a boxer—big arms and shoulders and a broad, well-muscled chest. At fifty, I had no doubt he was in better shape than some men half his age—maybe because he had a husband fifteen years younger than him—they’d been together for years.

“Not on your life. I’ve been looking forward to this all day.”

I left my bag on the chair and followed him into the room, decorated in soothing tones of pale green and beige. My body ached from the strenuous activity, and I couldn’t wait for Enzo’s rubdown.

While I stripped, he prepared his magic potion of oils and creams, and I lay face down. The second he touched my shoulders, he protested.

“What the hell, man? You’re so tense. Relax.”

“I’m trying.”

Enzo kneaded and pressed hard, digging into the tight knots, and I groaned, then sighed. “Damn, that feels good.”

“I see you like it. You sound like my husband and me when we’re doing the deed.” He snickered, and I grinned.

“You’re ridiculous.”

I’d had him as my massage therapist since I was drafted, and we talked about everything—neither of us had good relationships with our families, and we’d bonded over that sad fact. Regardless, I knew some of the guys didn’t like having a gay man do their massages. Another reason why I knew I had to keep quiet about who I was. My mind drifted while he worked on me, and I thought about Brody and how great it had been having him with me all the time. Each week we’d switch between staying at my place and his, and so far it worked out perfectly.

He spun his fingers, in a circle. “Turn over. I need to get the oils into your arms and chest.”

I did as he asked and closed my eyes. Training camp and the season would make our social lives pretty much nonexistent, so we had plenty of time to spend with each other. And I was fine with that. There was no one else I’d rather be with. It had been so damn lonely all these years without him, and going to sleep and waking up with him every night and day was exactly how I’d pictured it. Our sex life had only gotten better, which I hadn’t thought possible, and I knew it was because we were finally together where we belonged.

“You must be thinking about some really beautiful lady,” Enzo murmured, and my eyes flew open. The tent in the sheet covering my hips was impossible to miss. My fault for thinking about Brody. My cheeks burned, but all I could do was shrug and laugh it off.

“You know how it is.” Damn, did that sound as lame as I thought?

Enzo took it in stride. “Better make sure it’s packed away before you go outside. That’s a deadly weapon. You might get arrested.”

I rolled my eyes. “Knock it off.”

“I’m serious. Or maybe go find a pretty lady to help you with that.” One last rub, and he was finished. He wiped off the excess oil and handed me my shirt.

“Enough,” I snapped, having reached my limit with people talking about my sex life, but then was instantly contrite. “Sorry. I apologize. I’m just tired.”

“It’s okay. Everything all right? Like I said, you’re very tense.”

I managed a smile. “I’m okay. Preseason nerves, I guess.”

“You’re the best. I think this is the year.”

This time my laughter was genuine. “You say that at the start of every season.”

“But now I see you happy for the first time. You have your best friend with you. That makes all the difference, I think.”

I hopped off the table to put my briefs and shorts on. “Yeah, it does.”

As we walked to the door, he slung an arm around my shoulders. “It’s good to have someone you know will always have your back. Maybe you might think about talking to your parents?”

Startled by the out-of-the-blue remark, I stopped. “What brought this on? Why would I want to talk to them?”

Lines of sorrow etched deep in his face. “Over the summer my mother died. I hadn’t seen nor heard from her in almost twenty years. I tried, but she refused. I didn’t even get a chance to go to her funeral—I found out when someone who didn’t know the extent of our estrangement offered me condolences.” Wetness glimmered in his eyes. “Don’t wait until it’s too late. Death doesn’t give second chances.” He patted me on the shoulder and left.

On my ride home, I thought about that, but I didn’t make plans to change things anytime soon. The main difference was that Enzo’s mother had shown him love before he came out. Mine never did.

And that certainly wouldn’t change if I ever came out to them. I had enough in my life trying to make sure Brody was comfortable up here and keeping the team together. People needed me, and I wasn’t about to jeopardize that for the two people who should love me no matter what but didn’t.

I took out my phone and sent a text.

Coming home. Be ready for me.

I received an immediate answer.

I’m always ready.

That right there was all I needed.