Page 21

Brody

Division Championship Sunday

“Coach, have you heard from Dev?”

I figured I’d ask to make it seem as if I didn’t know. In fact, the two of us had been texting and FaceTiming nonstop all week. For me, the excitement of the championship season had vanished, and all I wanted was to go home and make sure Dev was okay.

When I said as much to Dev, he ripped me a new one, telling me I’d better put in a thousand percent on the field today and whip the Bobcats’ butts.

“Yeah, he and I spoke, and he said he’ll be watching.” Coach Jackson chuckled. “He told me, ‘Tell the guys to kick their asses, and let ’em know the Devil made you do it.’”

My lips twitched. “Sounds like him.”

I finished putting on my gear, and Luke Fontaine walked over to me. “Hey, Blink?”

“Yeah, what’s up?” The kid looked nervous as hell, and I couldn’t blame him. Stepping in for a future Hall of Famer like Dev wasn’t easy during the regular season. Doing it during the playoffs? I had to say, I had total respect for him.

“I know how friendly you and Dev are. I just wanted you to know I never wanted to play like this, and I wish Dev were here today.”

“You’re a class act, Luke. Wait a sec.” I took my phone from the locker and made a call. “Hey. Someone here wants to talk to you.” I held out the phone. “Talk to Dev.”

Luke froze, and his eyes bugged out. “What? No. He must be so upset. I—”

“Go ahead. It’s all good.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed, and he took the phone. “Hi, Dev.... Yeah, I know.... Uh-huh.… I appreciate that.... Yeah.…” A smile curved his lips. “I promise.... You know it.... Yeah, I watched the tape.... We will. This one’s for you.... Yeah, sure.” He held the phone out. “He wants to talk to you.”

“Yeah. What is it?”

“Watch out for him. Make sure those bastards don’t hit him dirty.”

“I will.”

“Love you.”

“Same.”

“Go bust ass.”

I put the phone away. “So, all good?”

Luke nodded. “Yeah. He insisted I was more than ready and that they were in for a surprise if they thought I wasn’t. He told me which side they’re weakest on and some tricks he used against them in other games.” Brown eyes shone with admiration. “Dev’s the best. I was nervous, but now I’m pumped to get out there and show him I can do it.”

My chest swelled with pride. “He’s great that way. Even in college he was always putting the team ahead of himself. He loves the game and winning.” I patted him for reassurance. “Now let’s go out there and kick their asses. For Dev.”

We joined the rest of the team in our usual circle to calm nerves and center ourselves, and today we all recited a prayer for Dev’s recovery. One last cheer and we headed into the tunnel to the field, already hearing the roar of the crowd filling the stadium.

**

“Did you see that throw?” Zeke yelled as we hit the locker room. “Kid’s got it locked down.”

We were all celebrating our 21-14 win, but Zeke seemed to take particular pleasure in getting in my face to let me know what a great job Luke had done as quarterback.

“He was great,” I agreed, and Zeke’s smile grew even more malicious.

“Looks like your best friend should think about packing it in.”

“Fuck off.” I flipped him the middle finger and gave him my back. Luke entered the room, and we all surrounded him. The kid deserved all the accolades—two touchdown passes, over three hundred yards passing. Damn, I felt like a proud papa.

“Luke. Way to go.” I hugged him.

“Thanks.” Eyes bright and face flushed, he rubbed his face with both hands. “I can’t believe it. Everything Dev said was right on point.” He blinked, and overcome with emotion, brushed at his lashes. “I couldn’t have done it without his support.”

“Conference Championship, here we come!” Jonas turned the music on blast, and the reporters started streaming in.

“Get ready for it, kid.” I squeezed Luke’s shoulder and watched as the press made a beeline for him. It was a rookie’s dream, and while I was happy for him, my heart ached, knowing how badly Dev wished he were here. Several reporters from the national news media approached me, and I put on my game face.

“Blink, tell us about the first touchdown from Luke Fontaine. Did it feel different with him leading the team and not Devlin Summers?”

“Luke did a fantastic job stepping into Devil’s shoes. And I know for a fact Dev was cheering him on.”

“How’s he doing? Do you know?”

“From what I’ve been told, his tests are all good, and even though he wants to play, he understands he needs to take the time to recuperate.”

“How strong do you feel going into the conference championship? Do you think the Kings can win without Devlin Summers? Was today a fluke?”

I bristled. “No win is a fluke. Luke Fontaine rose to the challenge, and we defeated a tough opponent. Do I think we can win without Devlin? I think we proved that today. Thank you.”

Dismissing them, I walked away to the bathroom, where I stripped and got under the shower. After the standard check-over by the team physician, a stint in the hot tub, and a massage, I got to the hotel, undressed and lay down in bed, listening to the quiet. Normally after a playoff win like this, I loved watching the highlights on television, and Dev and I would go over the plays.

God, I missed him.

Momma knew I needed a low-key night after a game, and we’d agreed to meet later for a dinner, but right now all I wanted was to hear Dev’s voice.

“Hey, baby.” His raspy purr sent a bolt of longing through me. Even though we never had sex during playoff season, just having him with me on the field and in the hotel was enough to ground me. Without him near, I was lost and lonely.

“Hey, yourself. Did you watch?”

“Do you need to ask? Of course.” He paused for a beat. “The kid looked good. Really good.”

“He’s not bad. Talking to you helped.”

Dev chuckled. “Yeah, I watched the press conference afterward. He thanked me repeatedly.”

“He was respectful to you. I think it was nice.”

“It was.” I could tell something was bothering Dev, but I waited for him to tell me. “Dammit, Brody, I missed it.”

I was wondering if he’d admit it out loud or keep it to himself. “I know.”

“It physically hurt not being there with all of you. I hated not being on the field, hearing the fans cheering and the shit talk from the guys.”

Dev was such a fierce competitor, and he loved the game so much, I couldn’t imagine how painful it was to sit on the sidelines.

“I hated not havin’ you here. How’s your head feelin’?”

“Fine,” he grumbled. “And before you ask, yes, I went to the doctor, and they gave me all this therapy—oxygen and cognitive…I passed everything.” He blew out a breath. “I bet I could play if they’d let me.”

“Which they won’t. Dev,” I warned, “it’s only been a week, and you aren’t at full speed. You gotta follow the concussion protocol—league rules. Ezra told me he’s seen you a couple of times and that you’re still getting headaches. You think he doesn’t notice, but you’re wrong.”

“Traitor,” he muttered, and I laughed.

“No. He’s bein’ a good friend. And so is Fallon. We’re all watching out for you. Please, Dev. Take the time to recuperate. I need you healthy.”

“I just need you, period. Seeing you on the field, watching that cute butt in your uniform, knowing how hot and sweaty you are… mmm . I got so turned on.”

“Yeah?” My dick stirred. “Tell me more.”

His voice deepened to the sexy, husky growl that never failed to get me hard. “You wanna know what I’d do to you?”

“ Mmhmm .” I palmed my cock and stroked it to its full length.

“I wouldn’t even let you shower. I’d get you naked and lay you down all dirty and messy on my bed and lick you.”

“That sounds so good.” I sighed, my hand moving faster. “Where are you lickin’ me?”

“I’d start with that beautiful, big dick, and then I’d open you wide, licking your hole, tasting you. So hot and sexy.”

“Oh God, Dev.” My hand was a blur on my shaft as my hips jerked frantically. I could feel his mouth on me, so soft and wet, and I moaned.

“Yeah, baby. I’m eating that gorgeous ass of yours, fucking your hole with my tongue. Your cock is bigger and thicker than I’ve ever seen, and you’re jerking it through your fist.”

I couldn’t answer because I’d just come so hard, I lost my ability to speak. My eyelids fluttered, and I licked my dry lips.

“Dev?”

“ Mmhmm ?” He sounded a bit winded himself.

“That was wild.”

“I know.” I sensed his dissatisfaction. “But it doesn’t take the place of the real thing. You here with me.”

I wiped my hand on my boxers. “I know. I’ll be home soon enough and we’ll have the whole off-season.”

“I guess.” His sigh sounded ominous. “The doctors want me to take it easy. They said I shouldn’t fly yet. Something with my equilibrium and the head injury.”

“So we don’t. We’ll head up to the mountains to the cabin. I’m gonna take care of you, spoil you rotten. And after it gets warm, I’ll drive to my house.”

“That sounds nice,” he murmured. “I think I’m gonna shower and go to sleep.”

In an instant I grew concerned. “Do you feel okay? You don’t have a headache, do you?”

“I’m fine,” he snapped. I stayed silent and he softened his tone, realizing he’d overreacted. “Sorry. But please don’t get all smothering on me. I just got my rocks off having phone sex with my husband, and I’m sticky and wrung out. That’s all it is.”

“Don’t get mad at me, Dev. I’m askin’ because I love you.”

“I know. But it’s so fucking hard watching from the sidelines, wanting to play. We worked all season to get here. And now I’m letting everyone down.”

“We wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you. Sometimes the big guns need a rest and have to let the little ones show what they can do. I know next season you’ll come back bigger and better than ever.”

“Thanks. I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Say hi to your mom for me.”

“I will. Love you.”

“Love you too.”

I sat in the darkness and could only hope he was telling me the truth. Dev always minimized when he was hurting, shunning any discussion of injuries. He loved the game so much and even gave up his family to follow his dream.

“Nothin’ I can do about it until I see him.” But I sent Ezra and Fallon a quick text to check on him tomorrow, then took a shower.

Momma was waiting for me at a table in the corner of the hotel restaurant. After talking with some fans and the usual pictures and autographs, I reached her and gave her a kiss.

“Sorry I’m late. I was talkin’ to Dev.”

Momma’s brow puckered with worry. “How’s he feelin’? I called him and we talked. He sounded upbeat.”

He would, to her. Dev loved Momma and wouldn’t want her to worry.

“He was. But you know him. He wants to play, and it’s killin’ him that he’s not.” The server came, and I ordered steak and potatoes, while Momma ordered the fish. I wished I could have a beer, but no drinking during playoff season, so it was iced tea for both of us.

“He’ll be back next year. You’ll come home and rest all off-season.”

“I hope so. But there’s a little change of plans. Once the season’s over, we’re gonna go to the cabin and stay there for the winter. Dev’s doctor said he shouldn’t fly, so we’ll come when it starts to get warmer.”

Our salads came, and we ate for a few minutes. Momma wiped her mouth. “Can I ask you somethin’?”

“’Course.” I buttered a roll.

“Do you think Dev’s gonna play again?”

I stared at her. “What’re you talkin’ about?”

She met my eyes. “Don’t get all riled up. It’s just that this is the second bad concussion he’s had, and that can be dangerous. I was readin’ up on it. I know he loves the game, but he’s gotta think of his health, especially long-term.”

Our salad plates were whisked away and the mains brought, but I didn’t even pay attention. “Momma. Dev’s got six months to recover and the best doctors in the world takin’ care of him. He’s gonna go through the concussion protocol and be ready when the season starts. No one’s told him he can’t or shouldn’t play.”

She picked up her fork. “But they don’t care about him like you do. You need to sit and have a real serious talk with each other.”

We ate our meal and sat over coffee. “I think I’ll have plenty of time to see in the off-season how he’s feelin’. But ultimately, it’s his decision. He’s thirty and got a lotta time left to play.” I lifted my coffee cup to drink it while it was still hot.

“I know. But if they say he can’t, where does that leave you?”

Puzzled, I set the cup on the table. “What do you mean?”

“Would you quit playin’ if Dev can’t? I know you love him, but you also have to plan for your own future.”

“Which is with Dev. If he can’t play, he wouldn’t stop me. And if I were the one injured, I wouldn’t prevent him from continuing. We support each other.”

“I hope so.”

“It’ll all work out. Don’t worry. Now I gotta get to bed before I break curfew. The only thing I gotta concentrate on is winning next week’s game.”

I paid the bill and kissed her good night. She was leaving in the morning for New York, where our conference championship would be held, while I’d be traveling with the team. I couldn’t wait, not only because we’d be on home turf, but because Dev would be there to greet us.

The Super Bowl championship had yet to be determined, but it didn’t matter. I’d already won at life.