Page 9

Brody

As I rode around the curve, Momma’s car came into view. Theo’s wasn’t in the driveway, and relief flooded me. Although seeing how he treated her with respect and kept working at his company had shown me he cared for her, that it wasn’t about the money, I was still reserved at best. But Momma was happy, so I’d learned to shut up and let her live her life.

“Momma?” I called out when I entered.

“In the kitchen.”

Sniffing with appreciation, I followed my nose. “ Mmm . Whatcha cookin’?”

“Bakin’,” she corrected. “Cinnamon buns and peach cobbler. I made extra for you to take home, for you and Dev.”

“Thanks. Can we…can you sit for a sec?” That swoop of fear hit my stomach, and it must’ve shown on my face, as Momma took one look at me and took off her apron.

“What is it? Is something wrong?”

I pulled out a chair and waited until she sat before taking a seat next to her. “No. nothing’s wrong. I’m fine. Everything’s great.”

She put a hand to her heart. “Thank God. And Devlin? He’s okay?”

“Yeah, no problems. I just left the opening of the new shelter and rec center. I…I need to talk to you and tell you something.”

She folded her hands in front of her. “All right. I’m listening.”

Now that the time was here, I was a nervous wreck. On the field I could face the biggest, fiercest tackles, but here, sitting in this sweet-scented kitchen, I was a quivering mess.

“I, uh, I’m gay, Momma. I’ve known since I was eleven. I’m also…I’m in love with Dev. And he loves me back.” I thought my heart would jump out of my chest while I spoke, but now that I’d told her, it all clicked into place, and finally, after years of being stuck underwater, I broke the surface to breathe.

“Oh, my sweet boy.” She smiled. “Don’t you think I know?”

My jaw dropped. “What…how…I don’t understand. You knew? Since when?”

“I guess it was high school when I’d go to the games and see all the cheerleaders and girls all over you and you never paid them no mind. Same in college. You never talked about girls or goin’ out and meetin’ people. It was always the game and your friends. And then, when you told us you were movin’ to New York, where Devlin is, I was hopin’ you’d find the right time to share with me.”

Shaking my head, I rubbed my face. “I can’t believe you knew all along. I was so scared. Maybe not scared, but worried you might change your mind about me.”

“Never ever think that.” Her fist made contact with the tabletop. “You are my life, my son. I would die for you. And I want you to be happy.” She wiped her eyes. “And Devlin? You’ve been together since college, I’m assumin’?”

“We only acknowledged it senior year, the night we won the championship.” I didn’t even realize the heaviness weighing me down until now. I was light as air. “Since then we’ve tried all sorts of ways to be together without raising suspicion. But we’ve been together for years, and it’s only gotten better.”

“Four years is a long time,” she mused, “but you’re still young. You both have a whole lotta livin’ to do. Are you sure you’re really ready?”

“I love him, Momma. And he loves me back. We wanna be together, and me signin’ with the Kings is gonna make it possible.” Tears burned, and I wiped the heel of my hand against my eyes. “We’re tired of bein’ apart for half the year.”

Her hand rested on mine. “I know. I can’t imagine how hard it must be. Just don’t lose yourself up there. Remember how you were raised and know you don’t have to change.”

“I won’t. I just want to be happy.”

“And being with Dev makes you happy.”

I nodded and whispered, “Yeah.”

She sniffled and met my gaze. “Then you go to New York and give them everything you got. And I’ll come to cheer you in the Super Bowl.”

Finally, I could laugh. “You’re getting a little ahead of yourself, Momma.”

“I don’t think so,” she said, her eyes soft and filled with so much tenderness, my chest hurt, knowing moments like these were fleeting. “I think if you’re content and loved, there’s nothin’ you can’t do.”

“I’d better go. Lots of stuff to get together, preparing for the move.”

“Don’t forget the cobbler and cinnamon buns. Hold on while I make them ready for you.”

She bustled about the kitchen, putting them in a bag for me. She gave me the parcel, I took her hand. “Are you happy? Theo’s treatin’ you okay?”

“I know he’s not your daddy and he’s rough around the edges, but he’s been there for me. In the beginning he tried too hard with you, I think, but he’s mellowed. We’re good.”

“I’m glad. I guess I was wrong about him.”

She held me close. “You were, and maybe one day you’ll sit down with him and tell him that.” She kissed my cheek. “Now go on home to Dev and enjoy yourself. Maybe come by tomorrow, and we’ll have dinner. I got a nice rack of ribs.”

“ Mmm . You know you don’t have to ask twice.” I hugged her again. “Love you, Momma.”

“I love you too, Brody.”

In a much better mood now that I’d gotten everything out in the open, I couldn’t wait to get home to Dev and tell him how well the conversation had gone. I parked, and carrying the desserts, entered the house, calling for him.

“Dev. Momma made us cinnamon buns and cobbler, and if you don’t get your butt out here, I might eat the whole thing.”

No answering shout and, in fact, the house remained eerily quiet. My footsteps quickened as I walked through the rooms, reaching the bedroom last. Maybe he was in the bathroom.

“Dev?”

That was when I noticed his stuff was gone. I about-faced and went to the dresser. All his drawers were empty. I sank to the bed.

“What the fuck?” My phone buzzed, and it was him. “Dev. What the hell is goin’ on? Where are you?”

“At the airport. Waiting for my plane home.”

“What? You just left me? Why? What’s wrong?”

“I spent a lot of time this afternoon thinking about what your mother said. You know I love you.”

“I-I love you too. But it’s gonna be okay. I told Momma, and it’s all right. She said she knew.”

Dev blew out a big sigh. “I’m so glad for you, baby. But I’m not surprised. Ms. Faith is a smart lady. But see, I’m trying not to be selfish. I want you to have these last few weeks with your mother. I didn’t tell you because I knew you’d try and make me stay, but in my heart, I know this is right for you. Ms. Faith needs this time with you. And after, I’m gonna have you all to myself up here, and I promise we will find a way to be together.”

There was nothing sexier in the world than a possessive, growling Devil Summers. It never failed to set my blood on fire, but now he wasn’t here to quench my thirst. Frustrated, I hit the pillow with my fist. Twice.

“I dunno whether to punch you in the face for makin’ me think you left for good, or hug you for bein’ so thoughtful. Dev,” I groaned. “I hate being here without you. It don’t seem right anymore.”

“I’ll never leave you. I miss you too, baby. So damn much. But soon we’ll be together. On the field and off.”

I lay on the bed, cuddled up to Dev’s pillow that still smelled like him.

“Yeah. Together.”

**

I stood in my brand-new apartment overlooking the river. Dev and I had checked out places the real estate agent had sent me, and knowing I wouldn’t want to be in a people-filled area like SoHo or Tribeca, she’d suggested West Chelsea. The moment I stepped into the sun-filled apartment, with floor-to-ceiling views of the water, I knew it was the right one. It boasted a huge terrace—for New York City standards—and I could see myself and Dev sitting out there watching the sunset.

Having viewed close to ten apartments, I told my agent to put in an offer on the condo, and it was accepted. I was now an owner of a tiny piece of Manhattan. And I took a slew of pictures and sent them to Momma.

Dev came from behind me and slipped his arms around my waist. “Welcome home.”

I set the phone on the kitchen island and cupped his face between my hands. “They’re bringin’ the bed later today.” I kissed him, and his lips curved under mine.

“Yeah? You think not having a bed is gonna stop me from taking what I want?”

That husky rasp always got me, and I sighed when he sank to his knees, taking my shorts and briefs with him. Already aching, my dick sprang up, and Dev sucked me hard and fast, his fingers gripping my thighs. Four years or forty, I’d never get tired of his touch. I gazed down, met his eyes, and he fucking winked at me.

“Fucking hell, Dev.” I hissed and his teeth scraped my rock-hard shaft. My hands tightened in his hair, and at his throaty sounds of encouragement, I thrust into his warm mouth. “That’s it, that’s it.” I cried out and came, my head flung back, as pinwheels of color burst in my mind’s eye.

Dev hummed as he sucked the last drop, then rested on his heels with a blissful expression. I joined him and kissed his lips, tasting myself. His fingers tangled in my hair, keeping his face to mine.

“I love you, Brody.”

“Me too. Now come here and let me love you.”

With the same grace he showed on the field, wriggling his way out of tight spots, Dev got naked below the waist in seconds flat. I laid him on the rug, admiring his gorgeous body. Always a vocal lover, Dev groaned loud and long as I pumped his shaft between my lips and played with his balls.

“Fuck me, Brody, oh God.” He dug into the rug and hiked his hips up, forcing his thick cock down my throat, and I held him there. After all the years together, I could sense his impending orgasm, but I wanted more from him today. I released him.

“What the hell,” he gasped, fixing me with a glare. “Fuck, Brody, I was almost there.”

“Yeah, but I want something more from you.” I twirled my finger. “Turn over.”

A salacious gleam lit his eyes. “ Mmm . Okay, I’m not mad about it anymore.” He rested on his forearms, presenting me with his beautiful ass.

“Everyone else gets to look at this on Sundays, but only I get to touch it.” I grabbed each cheek and squeezed hard.

Dev moaned. “Oh yeah, baby. Take what you want. It’s yours.”

I dove in, sliding my tongue past the rim, and he grunted. “Taste so good, baby. I could eat you all day long.” I spread him wide and went in on him like a starving man. Dev’s groans and cries rose in the air, and he pushed his ass into my face as I licked and sucked him.

“Oh God, Brody, please,” Dev panted and worked his dick. I stopped licking him to wet my fingers and slide them deep inside him. “Fuck,” he screamed and came hard, spilling out beneath him. He lay facedown, his body glistening with sweat as tremors rippled underneath his skin. He turned his head to the side and flashed that famous, wicked grin.

“Good thing I had my clothes underneath me and didn’t mess up the rug. Someone might’ve thought you had a puppy that had an accident.”

I ruffled his hair and lay beside him. “My very own Devil-dog.”

He shook with laughter, then turned to face me. “You’re happy?”

“Are you kiddin’ me?” I pushed the hair out of his eyes. “You have to ask?”

Dev sat up. “I wouldn’t if I didn’t want to make sure. And I’m not talking about the sex.” His eyes grew soft. “That’s always amazing. But it’s been a whirlwind these past few weeks with your move and getting the apartment. I just need to check.”

I pulled him close so his leg straddled my hips. Our chests touched, and my nose brushed his. I craved that physical contact.

“When you left, I thought it wouldn’t be a big deal. Like, I’d been alone all those years during the season, and it was fine—our videos and off-season meet-ups were good enough.”

Dev’s smile imprinted on my cheek. “Good enough isn’t what I’m looking for with you. I’m a greedy bastard.”

I chuckled. “So am I. And havin’ you with me these past months taught me that. I missed everything about you.” I rubbed his cheek with mine. “No one singin’ in the shower. Knowin’ I didn’t need to buy a second pint of ice cream. The empty seat next to me in the car and across the table. You’re part of me now, and when you’re gone, it’s like I’m not whole.”

He put his arms around me. “And now here we are. Together. Forever.”

“Nothing to keep us apart.”