Page 9 of Man to Man Coverage (Rangers Football: Hard-Hitting #6)

Devlin

N early every night over the last five weeks, I’ve met Rex online for an hour or two so we can quest and chat.

We both have headsets that allow us to talk in real-time while running our characters through campaigns, but I have found a sense of possessiveness grips my heart when we join raids with other players who try openly flirting with him.

Five weeks and I have no idea where I stand with my teammate who, despite my attempt to the contrary, I find myself more and more attracted to. Sometimes I think he’s flirting with me, but when I flirt back, he seems oblivious to my feelings.

Is he not interested?

Hell, I’m still not sure if he’s straight or not.

We’ve also been on lockdown for five weeks, and the team is getting restless.

On the field, we’ve been fantastic despite a loss in week six that never should have happened.

We play Seattle next Sunday, and I’ve arranged dinner with my brother after the game and a late-night flight the next day home.

Part of me wants to invite Rex, but considering our relationship seems to be a secret—we barely acknowledge each other on the field or in the locker room and I’m not exactly sure why—I don’t know if that is a good idea.

I think I intimidate Rex on the field, which I guess I understand.

After our dinner, I had a down-low conversation with Greg, our offensive coordinator, and Darius, the special teams coordinator, about pushing Rex to see what he can do.

Although I have no say in the matter, I’m less than impressed with our run game and think our offense relies on me and Declan’s connection to win.

Great for my stats.

Bad for my body and Declan’s arm.

Plus, I’d love to see Rex’s confidence grow a little on and off the field. So far I’ve noticed they’ve been pushing him and he’s mentioned how bone tired he is night after night.

Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I walk out of the mostly empty locker room to the player’s parking lot.

Parked next to my Mini Cooper—the one I kept—is Rex’s big red truck with him sitting in the driver’s seat.

I toss my bag into my car and then fold my arms and lean into his open passenger door window. “Hey, man.”

“Hey.” Rex blushes slightly.

“What’s up?”

“I was wondering if you wanted to come over for dinner tomorrow night?”

“Is your kitchen done?”

He grins. “Yeah. The rest of the house is trashed, but the kitchen and eating area are open for business.”

“I’d love to come over for dinner. What time?”

“You can come over anytime, but I figured we’d eat at five.”

“Goodnight Devlin,” a couple of the guys from the team call across the parking lot.

I wave high above my head and return my attention to Rex, who stiffens in his seat.

What’s that about?

“Five sounds good. What can I bring?”

“I just need you. I’ll take care of the rest.”

“Okay,” My mind is still processing the way he reacted to our teammates seeing us talking when I flash him my wide, camera-ready smile. “It’s a date. See you tomorrow.”

I ’ve dated both men and women. I mean, openly dated—not whatever this is with Rex—so I know what to bring over when invited to dinner. Flowers always work for women and sometimes men. Desserts work for both. Beer or wine, too.

“This isn’t rocket science,” I mutter to myself while walking through the grocery store.

Everything about Rex is harder, mostly because I’m not sure what this friendship between us entails, nor why we’re being secretive about it.

I saw the way he tensed up last night when I waved at our teammates.

I’m enjoying his friendship, and yes, being teammates makes anything more than a platonic relationship tricky, but I can’t continue harboring a crush without knowing where I stand.

Walking aimlessly through the store, I grab two bottles of wine—one white, one red—and a six-pack of a fall sampler from a Colorado brewery.

In the kitchen area, I see a set of electric LED salt and pepper shakers I think he’ll enjoy and then swing by the stationary aisle to grab a gift bag and a card.

And screw it, I grab him a potted plant perfect for the bay window in his kitchen.

Twenty minutes later, I pull into his driveway and find his garage door up for me. He opens the door at the same time I pull the box of goodies off my passenger seat.

“I told you not to bring anything.” He smiles and part of me wants to avoid this conversation for another night, week, lifetime.

I know crushing on a man who doesn’t think of me that way is dangerous, but I also don’t want to shatter the blooming friendship forming either.

Honestly, it’s been nice having a crush, even if it’s unrequited and I’m not sure I’m ready to kill it just yet.

“How could I not? My mama raised a gentleman, and I don’t let someone cook for me without bringing over something. Besides—” I hand him the gift bag “—it’s the first of many housewarmings, considering your new kitchen.”

He takes the bag, a small blush hitting his cheeks. Man, I will never tire of that. “Thanks. Come on in.”

I walk through the door to a brand new kitchen and eating area perfectly crafted. “This looks great.”

“You think?” He puts the gift bag down and runs his hand over the matte black granite countertops. “I honestly had no idea what I wanted, but they came to me with a couple of designs and now I’m going to let them revamp the whole house.”

I chuckle and nod my approval. “It's masculine, yet modern and chic. I like the stained concrete floors and dark countertops with wood and frosted glass cabinet doors. Is this black walnut?”

“Yeah. Wow. I’m impressed you know that.”

“Stainless steel appliances and a faux brick backsplash—very nice, Rex.”

“Thanks,” He beams with homeowner pride. “I’m going to have them update my bedroom and bathroom next and then maybe the backyard.”

“I’m glad they are working out for you.” I pull out the potted plant, bottles of wine and beer from the box. “Open your gift.”

He does, pulling out the card and the salt and pepper shakers. “Cool.”

I lean my ass against the counter and watch him open the card. The smile on his face drops as he reads my words—words I felt divinely inspired by the mother I’ll never meet.

Rex -

Congratulations on one of the many accomplishments you’ll have in your life. I’m proud of the strides you make daily to do better, be better, and achieve all you are meant to achieve. You’re a good man and deserve the best.

Your friend - Devlin

It’s the confusion on his face that solidifies my decision. We have to have this conversation—tonight.

“Look, Rex. I don’t want to ruin dinner or the mood or anything, but I need to talk to you about something.”

He looks up with unshed tears in his eyes. “What’s up?”

I rub the stubble on my jaw and sigh. “You know I’m bisexual, right?”

His lips part as time stops between us. A million thoughts run through my mind as my heart clenches and screams don’t ruin this, but I know this has to happen. I swear, it’s probably only three seconds, and yet it feels like a lifetime.

Slowly, he nods. “I’m sure I’ve heard or read that before.”

Pursing my lips, I grab one bottle of beer and crack it open, needing the distraction. Taking a deep drink, I brace for heartbreak. “Last night, you seemed spooked that the other players knew we were talking.”

Surprise morphs into confusion. “Huh? I wasn’t worried if they knew I was talking to you, but I thought maybe you wouldn’t want to be seen hanging out with me.”

“What?” Now it’s my turn to be confused.

“Well, I mean, you are you and I am me.”

“That doesn’t make any sense, Rex.”

He shakes his head, clearly exasperated that he has to spell it out for me.

“I’m a third-string running back, second-string punt returner, and you are one of the most valuable players in the league. Not just the Rangers, but the whole league. You are up here—” he raises up on his tiptoes and puts his hand way above his head “—and I’m down here.”

“So? You are taking your opportunity and running with it. Literally. I’ve been watching you at practice. The coaches are pushing you, testing you, and you are answering them with your very best. I see it, so I know they see it.”

He glances down at the floor. “Something tells me you have something to do with their sudden interest in me.”

“I will neither confirm nor deny,” I make a show of locking my lips and throwing away the key.

“That’s fair,” he sighs.

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. “There’s something else.”

“Okay?”

“Sometimes I feel like you’re flirting with me, and I guess I need to know if I’m misinterpreting things.”

He shakes his head. “Devlin, I wouldn’t know how to flirt if I tried.”

Disappointment drops a lead ball into my gut. “I understand.”

“No, I don’t think you do.” Rex runs his hands through his hair, his eyes cast down to the granite island between us.

“I’ve never been in a relationship, and I’m not good at flirting.

That’s why none of my online dating experiences have gone past two, maybe three dates.

I’m also not somebody who craves sex. As a matter of fact, I don’t even think about it—except when I think about how, as a twenty-six-year-old man, I should be trying to get laid all the time.

I mean, that’s what guys our age are supposed to think about, right?

So, if you’ve ever thought I was flirting with you, it wasn’t because I was trying—it was natural. ”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m attracted to you—I mean, I think I am. How else do I explain the feelings and thoughts I have surrounding you?”

I want to close the distance between us. That’s what I would normally do if someone confessed feelings for me I shared. But, I think he’s telling me he’s asexual, which I’m not sure how to approach.

“What thoughts, Rex?” I lean forward on the island, resting my forearms against the cool stone.

“I think you’re beautiful. Smart and driven—I’m inspired by you.

I look forward to seeing you every morning, even if it’s from afar, and I rush home every night to log on so I don’t miss you.

I’ve opened up to you in a way I have never done with another, and completely trust that you’ll take care of my thoughts and feelings, even when I don’t know what kind of care I require.

You are always in my thoughts, and lately, I’ve noticed that everything I do is in hopes you will like it.

Hell—” he waves his hands over the kitchen “—it took everything within me not to ask your opinion when I picked out this decor, even though I desperately wanted your approval. Is that attraction or something else?”

“Sounds like a crush.” I smile when he finally looks into my eyes. “I know because I have one on you.”

“You do?”

“Yeah, man.”

Rex grabs a beer and cracks it open, taking a deep drink to rival mine from a few minutes ago. “What do we do now?”

“I honestly don’t know. Normally, when I’m digging on someone who feels the same way, we can’t keep our hands off each other. I’ve never been in a relationship with a teammate.”

He hangs his head. “Yeah, that’s what I figured.”

I step around the island, placing myself within touching distance of him. “What do you want to do?”

“I’d like that hug you promised me.” Rex says after several seconds of contemplative silence.

I chuckle and open my arms wide. “I’ve been waiting for you to say that for weeks.”

He takes a tentative step toward me and I close the distance, wrapping my arms around him and pulling him tight against my chest. There’s a moment of awkwardness and then he melts against me, letting out a deep sigh. “It’s been a long time since someone hugged me.”

“How long?” I tighten my arms and rest my face in the crook of his neck, basking in his warmth, reveling in the feel of his hard, muscular chest.

“A few months before my mom died.” He slides his palm up my back, his breath tickling my jaw. “This is nice.”

I pull my face back to look him in the eye. Our mouths are so close, our breaths mingle. “My hugs are available to you anytime you like.”

“I’m sorry I’m not any good at this,” he whispers.

“We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do.”

“What if I want more?”

Ever so slowly, I lean forward, letting my actions speak for me.

Rex’s lips part and he closes his eyes the moment mine touch his—wordlessly giving himself to me and this moment.

His mouth is soft and his tongue is slick as I slide mine against his, tasting him for the first time.

Electricity jolts through my body as every nerve ending wakes up, letting me know this is real—this is happening.

I run my hands up his back and cup either side of his neck, deepening the kiss when he moans his pleasure.

He fists the back of my shirt and presses the length of his body against mine at the same time I trail kisses along his jaw and nibble on his earlobe.

“Mmmm,” I groan in his ear. “Better than I dreamed.”

“You’ve dreamed about kissing me?” Rex pants.

“For weeks. Maybe longer.” I pull back and give him a reassuring smile. “You okay?”

He nods. “I was afraid that would never happen.”

“Anytime you want a hug or a kiss from me, claim it.”

“Are you hungry?” He drops his hands and takes a step back.

“Starved,” I say, meaning every interpretation of the word and knowing that while I want more, I’m willing to wait until he’s ready. Honestly, I’m thankful the conversation went so well.

He smirks, letting me know he gets my meaning. “Grab a seat and I’ll bring the first course to you.”