Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 73012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73012 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 365(@200wpm)___ 292(@250wpm)___ 243(@300wpm)
“You should try meditation,” I tease.
“Why would I do that? You’re the boring one in this friendship.”
My laugh comes easily. “You dick.”
“I have a great dick,” he teases back.
“You forget I’ve seen it in the locker room. It’s not that impressive.”
“Well, now I know you’re lying. It’s really fucking impressive.”
Rylan joins me in my laughter. When we both calm down, he says, “Hayes told me that Anthony’s been staying at your house nearly every night.”
I cock a brow at him. “Are we playing telephone to get info around now? And like you don’t know he has been.”
“I mean, I figured. You two have gotten pretty serious. It’s good for you. It makes me happy to see you happy. No one deserves it more.”
“Thanks, man. I’m so fucking in love with him. I want to ask him to officially move in. I want to know he’s in my bed every night, even if I’m not there. And when I come home, I want to be able to curl up with him as the perfect welcome back.”
“There’s nothing like it,” Rylan agrees.
“Do you think it’s too soon?”
“You’re in love with him and he’s in love with you, so I don’t see why it is. Once I realized how bad I had it for Hayes, I knew there would never be anyone else for me. When you know, you know. Trust your judgment. I’m sure it’s better than mine, and I was right!”
I smile and nudge him with my arm. “You only had one little mistake with Hayes. And yeah…thanks.” I typically do trust my judgment, and I know how I feel. I think I’m so nervous because of Anthony’s past, but while Hayes had a different family situation, he has a similar past with Malcolm. Things have worked out great for Rylan and Hayes. “Yeah, I think you’re right. Maybe I’ll talk to him about it when we get back.”
“You should.” He swats my leg. “Dude, we’re totally in love.”
“With each other?” Volkov jokes from the seat in front of us.
“No. With you.” Rylan winks at him.
“Aww, I love you guys too,” Volkov teases back. He’s straight, happily in a relationship with a woman, but that doesn’t stop him from giving us shit in the most supportive way possible.
We land in Dallas, head to the hotel, have a team dinner, then go over film before Coach releases us to go to our rooms for the night. Before Hayes, Rylan would have likely gone out, looking for someone to have a good time with—it’s how he met Hayes in the first place. But now he’s the first one in bed with his cell phone, calling his man.
I get changed, crawl under the blankets, then call mine too. It’s earlier in California, and I don’t think he’ll be busy dancing yet, but if so, he’ll call me back.
“Hey, Flirty Boy.”
“Just with you,” I say softly.
“I like that answer.”
“I like you,” I counter. I’m absolutely over-the-top with my flirtiness with this man, and I love every second of it. I hope he gets as much out of it as I do.
“I like you more,” he says, and damned if it doesn’t make my heart rate speed up.
“Not possible. How was your day?”
I listen to him talk about his afternoon, before he falls into a story about some of the guys he works with. “I know they’ve hooked up a few times, but I think Richie is catching feels.”
“And Davin isn’t?” I haven’t met these men, but I know enough about them from Anthony.
“I don’t think so. But maybe. I hope it works out. I don’t want anyone to get hurt.”
“For sure, I get that, but they’re adults, so there’s not much you can do about it.”
He sighs. “I know. I…miss you.”
A wide smile spreads across my face. “I miss you too, beautiful. I wish you were going home to my bed tonight.”
Anthony chuckles. “Why?”
I might as well plant some of the seeds now, feel him out. “I like knowing you’re there, in my bed, waiting for me. It feels right, you always being in my space.”
There’s a short pause, heavy with emotion and uncertainty, but then he says, “Yeah, it does for me too. You have absolutely changed me, Kason Maddox.”
“I don’t want to change you. You’re my favorite person just the way you are.”
“You did it in good ways, and you’ll give me a big head if you don’t stop with that.”
“Hmm. Compliment you more. Got it.”
“You’re ridiculous…but I love it.”
“So sweet.”
Anthony groans. “Shit. I have to go. I need to take care of some things here. Good luck tomorrow.”
“I’ll talk to you after the game. I love you.”
“I love you too.”
I end the call with the world’s shmoopiest smile on my face. I’m definitely asking him to move in with me when I get back to LA. I can’t wait.