Page 3

Brody

Five months later – graduation day

I searched the crowd, but I couldn’t see Momma. I knew she was there in a bright-pink dress, hair all made up, and beaming a proud smile. Graduation day from college was all she’d ever talked about. The culmination of hers and my daddy’s dream for me, but I don’t think either of them ever thought my life would turn out like this.

As Ezra had predicted, I’d been a first-round pick—number six, to be exact—and chosen by the Austin Lonestars. A four-year contract worth ten million dollars. I still couldn’t wrap my brain around numbers like that, but Ezra sat down with me, Momma, and Theo and explained it all to us, and how to set up my finances to make sure my money was protected.

Dev had been picked number three in the draft by the Brooklyn Kings, and while I was thrilled for him, it hurt to know he was gonna be halfway across the country from me. And we were in different divisions, so we’d hardly ever get to play against each other unless we both got to the Super Bowl.

Yeah, we were still together, and I was fucking crazy about him.

I continued to scan the crowd and squinted. I spotted her in the tenth row and waved both hands above my head, then laughed at my silliness.

Dummy. Text her and tell her to look at the lineup. I sent her a message and watched as she received it and lifted her head. I waved both hands, and she spotted me and waved and blew kisses.

The first thing I’d done with my preseason signing bonus was get Momma out of the tiny house and into a newly built home. I didn’t want her working anymore, but she’d pushed back, telling me she couldn’t sit all day doing nothing, so she got a job at the library and led the children’s story hour. Theo continued to work construction. Momma had given him capital, from the money I’d given her, to set up his own company.

The music started, and the announcements began. Finally, it was time, as the line slowly moved up. I’d gotten my business degree and was determined not to be the country bumpkin people thought. I’d studied my contracts and had made Ezra go over every endorsement deal with me.

“Brody Martin.”

I walked across the stage, knowing Momma would be recording me, and accepted my diploma from the dean.

“Proud of you, son. Go do great things.”

“I’ll try, sir.”

I held up the rolled paper, and my teammates cheered. I spied Dev near the end of the line, fist-pumping and yelling. I gave them all a holler and left the stage to take my seat with the others. When it was Dev’s turn, I stood up and yelled as loudly as I could, then searched every row, hoping for a glimpse of his parents. I didn’t see anyone but students clapping and cheering.

Shit. I can’t believe nobody came to see him graduate. Dev had told me his parents wouldn’t come, but I hadn’t believed him.

With the ceremony complete and our caps tossed in the air, the crowds dispersed. I ran and found Momma talking to some of my teammates’ parents.

“Momma, I’m here.”

“Brody, baby.” She held out her arms, and I picked her up and twirled her around.

“I did it, Momma.”

“You sure did. Your daddy would be so proud of you.”

“Here, look.” I handed her the paper, which wasn’t the official diploma that would come in the mail, but it was a copy that had my name and all the information. “You keep this.”

She carefully put it in her purse. “What a beautiful day. It’s perfect.”

Theo lounged by her side. “Nice goin’, Brody. Congratulations.” I accepted a hug from him. “Bet you’re hungry from standin’ and waitin’ so long.”

“Yeah. I made a reservation at the Main Cut.” Next to the Hawk, it was the nicest steak place in town and where we went for our family celebrations.

All the graduates and their families milled about on the great lawn of the campus, and my teammates and I talked about our summer plans—our group was going to Cancun for a week to hang out and relax before we had to report to our different training camps. I bumped fists and gave and received hugs from everyone’s families. All my buddies were there except for the one I wanted to be with most.

“Where’s Dev? Aren’t his parents here? I’d love to meet them,” Momma said, her face concerned.

“No, they’re on their yearly European vacation,” he spoke over my shoulder. “Why should my graduation stop them from touring the castles?” The brittle voice of my friend and lover made me wince even as he grinned and held out a hand to Theo. “Theo, my man. How’s it shaking?”

“Great. Looking forward to being part of the Kings? They look good for the Super Bowl, I figure. They’re my bet to win.”

“You gambling on the games?” My brow furrowed.

His grin turned to a frown. “’Course not. Just a figure of speech.”

By now I should’ve resolved my issues with Theo, but I remembered all the days Daddy ’n me had spent swimming in the lake and him teaching me to fish, and I couldn’t find a piece of my heart to share. It wasn’t fair to Theo, and I vowed to be better.

“Sorry, Theo.”

Momma smiled at me, and Theo nodded. “No worries, buddy.”

“Hey, Brody. Congratulations.”

“You too, Dev.” We hugged, a bit awkwardly in front of everyone, but it was so good to be able to put my arms around him without fear. I breathed in his scent, and his eyes, bright with longing, flashed to mine for a second before we let go.

“Sweetheart. Come gimme a hug.” Watching Momma hold Dev, pain hit my heart for him, knowing he was alone. “Are you sure your folks won’t be here?”

“Absolutely positive.”

She frowned and shook her head. Of course she couldn’t understand, and neither could I. How did parents miss their child’s college graduation? Even if Southern Miami, the football-proud university, wasn’t where they’d wanted Dev to go to school, it was one of those milestones engrained in your life forever. “You come out to dinner with us, honey.”

Dev’s dark brows shot high. “Uh, I don’t want to intrude…”

A pang of longing hit me hard, and I wished we could sit together at the table like all the other boyfriends and girlfriends with their parents.

“You’re not,” I said softly. “You shouldn’t be alone tonight.”

**

It was a wonderful meal, and Dev kept everyone laughing with his stories of living in New York City and the wild things he and his friends had done in high school. We’d ordered several bottles of champagne, and Momma had two glasses, which had her giggling like a schoolgirl. She fanned her pink face.

“I think I’d better get myself to the hotel and go to bed. I’m a little tipsy.”

Theo finished his piece of graduation cake. “Come on, Faith. I’ll get some coffee in ya.”

Dev checked his phone. “The guys are all getting together tonight for a farewell. Wanna go? I have my car. I can drive you there and home after.”

“Go on, honey,” Momma insisted. “Have fun with your friends.”

I kissed her cheek. “Thanks, Momma.”

Surprising me, Dev kissed her as well. “Thank you for including me in your family celebration.”

“Aw, honey. You’re Brody’s best friend. That makes you family.”

Theo held Momma close and led her away. Dev and I walked to his car—a sleek black Porsche. “No back seat to fool around in.” He laughed as he started the engine. “We’ll have to wait until after.”

“I’m sorry your parents aren’t here.”

His jaw tightened. “It doesn’t matter.” He took one hand off the wheel and slid it up my thigh. “You’re the only person I want to be with. It’s been torture with exams and everything. I missed you so damn much.”

“Missed you too.” Late-night stolen moments out of town weren’t enough for me either. “Not like we’re gonna be able to be alone tonight, hangin’ out at Woody’s. Everybody’s gonna be there.”

“True, but if you get a headache and I have to take you home early, I might wanna swing by the Hawk and visit our cabin again.” His green eyes glimmered. “Remember how good it was that first time?”

A throb of lust hit me hard, leaving me breathless with desire. “Yeah. That was an incredible night.”

“Let’s do it again.”

We spent our evening hanging out with our boys and finalizing plans for our trip to Cancun in two days. Lover bought a round of beers, and we raised our bottles. “To the beach.”

Vette finished his and wiped his mouth. “Me and Dante are gonna room together.”

“Cool. I think Brody and I will too.” Dev kicked my foot. “Better not snore, country boy.”

“Shut up,” I growled, grinning like a fool, thinking of the week we’d spend together. All night. Just the two of us.

“C’mon, my dudes. It’s our last time on campus together. Let’s find some ladies and party.” Dante had his arm around a pretty woman, and they took to the dance floor.

To everyone’s surprise, Lover had started dating the woman he’d met the night of our Orange Bowl win, and they slow-danced, kissing and staring into each other’s eyes. Vette approached a group of young women, and Dev and I followed him, exchanging glances, knowing the rules of the game.

Make it look real.

For two hours, we danced, bought the ladies drinks, took selfies, and signed whatever was thrust in our faces. After a bathroom break, Dev met me outside the door and caught my arm. He pulled me into the shadows.

“Ready to blow this joint?”

I touched the tip of my tongue to my lips. “I’m ready to blow you.”

“Fuck me,” Dev breathed. “Let’s go.”

I put on my most pathetic face and joined the guys at the bar. “I feel sick, guys. Gonna have to leave.” My fake groan earned me a glass of water.

“Since I drove us here, I’m gonna take him home, then probably go to my place after and crash,” Dev said.

“Aw, man. That sucks.” Dante waved his hand. “Better make sure you’re a hundred percent for the trip. ’Cause you know it’s gonna get wild.”

I forced a smile. “Oh, I know.”

Dev nudged my shoulder. “Ready? I don’t want you heaving in my car.”

Nodding, I trudged out of the bar. We walked to Dev’s car, and I slid into the passenger seat.

“You could’ve been a theater major with that performance.”

I grinned. “Come on, Dr. Devil. Time for you to give me my exam. I think I need oral and internal.”

Dev’s gaze grew heated. “You better stop, or else I may jump you in the car, and that would be fucking uncomfortable.”

The ride to the Hawk took about ten minutes, but I kept Dev entertained by teasing my hand up and down his bare thigh and over the zipper of his shorts.

“I can’t wait to have this. All mine.”

Dev panted and, with a strangled sound, pulled into the driveway of the Hawk. We raced to the cabin and made it past the front door, but I stopped and grabbed Dev.

“Brody,” he groaned. “I—”

“Shh. I know what you want.” I sank to my knees and tugged at his shorts until they fell to the floor. That gorgeous, thick cock sprang free, and I took him in my mouth. Those big hands played in my hair while his hips thrust fast.

“Oh God, oh God. I can’t stop it.”

I worked my tongue harder and went for the kill, slipping my finger past his sac to tease and play with his rim. The second I nudged inside him, Dev exploded, and I drank every drop he gave me.

Heavy-lidded green eyes met mine, and then Dev joined me on the floor. He made quick work of my zipper and jacked me off fast and dirty while he kissed me, our tongues tangling.

“ Mmm , my God, what you’re doing to me.” He squeezed my sac and I threw my head back and hissed. “Dev, please.” He returned to rubbing me, precome coating his hand.

Dev growled in my ear. “Baby, we have a whole week in Mexico. This is just a taste. I can’t wait to fuck you to the sound of the ocean. Stuff you full of me. Gonna make you scream ’cause I love to hear you call out my name.”

“Dev,” I moaned, grabbing his shoulders while I writhed and shook under him.

“Brody, baby. We have to make this last. I’m gonna miss you so fucking bad.”

“Me too. I don’t wanna think about it.” It was the black cloud hanging over us, the only ugliness in the perfect world we’d created.

He kissed me and I came, shouting his name against his lips as my come coated his shirt. I held on to him, breathing his sweat and heat, and he pulled me close. His mouth tasted sweet, our frenzied kisses turned languid and gentle.

“I don’t know what I’m gonna do without you when you’re gone.”

“Me neither, Dev.”

The end game was to make it through each day until we had to say good-bye.