Chapter Ten

JOSH LEARNEDquickly that pro athletes play to win.

The next day, Tyler made Josh feel foolish for ever doubting his intentions. The next week even more so.

Since their backyard kiss in the gardenias, Tyler had set about courting him as though they actually had a stern chaperone and Tyler needed to prove his worth on the field of honor.

The mutual attraction was already a matter of record, so rather than jumping Josh’s bones, Tyler seemed determined to savor all the small steps, continually testing and exploring what Josh liked, what he needed, what he wanted.

And vice versa. Now that the ice was broken and all bets were off, Josh learned to read Tyler’s moods and messages without second-guessing himself. Josh didn’t need to wonder about the myth of Tyler, so instead he indulged his genuine curiosity about the man.

They still ran every morning and worked out in the weight room a couple times a week. Only now they ate together most nights, either at his place or Tyler’s. They dated each other like actual adults, blue balls and all. And Tyler sometimes came by the school to help out with busywork.

The kids and faculty knew they were friends, so Tyler’s presence wasn’t weird. Plus, Tyler seemed to relish being productive, having something to do. His recovery was visible now and more rapid every day.

Nine days after their first kiss, Josh was loading the bus for an away game in Escondido when Tyler turned up in the parking lot by the gym.

“Well, you’re a sight for sore everything.” Tyler ambled toward him.

“Hey, superstar.” Their eyes and smiles held a few extra beats. They had to be cautious on school grounds, and PDAs were a no-go, obviously. And Josh knew that kids would be turning up in the next hour.

“I was worried I missed you.” Tyler thumped the bus. “Escondido tonight, right?”

“Mmh.” He patted his pocket to make sure he’d brought the rolls of tape and the extra ankle brace for his quarterback.

Tyler passed him two of the duffels filled with the team’s pads. “I wish I could come watch.”

“Same. Sorry.” Josh could only imagine what the appearance of an NFL player at a scruffy high school stadium would do to the crowd.

“Nah.” Tyler frowned and lowered his voice. “It should be about them. I’m just bored and horny. Missing somebody.”

“Sorry.” The game wouldn’t finish till late, so they’d make it back to school sometime after ten. As they circled the bus, Josh ran through his mental prep list. “And sorry about dinner too. I’ll make it up.”

“We’re good. Promise. I actually came to ask a favor.”

Something in his voice made Josh pause in his prep and turn.

“If you’re cool with it. I wanted to ask…. Any chance you could drive me to the cardiologist after practice tomorrow? I know it’s a long way—”

Tyler had never let anyone but Nadia meet his doctors. “To Reynolds? Of course.” He knew this was a bigger deal than Tyler made it seem. “Is Nadia okay?”

“Oh. Yeah. She just thought….” He looked at the ground, hands in his pockets, before continuing. “Well, actually I’d like you to know what’s what. With me.”

“You’ve got a deal. Thank you.”

Tyler looked up, eyes bright. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. For real.” He blinked. “That means a lot. What time?”

Tyler looked sheepish. “Late afternoon. I sort of snuck into your office to check your calendar. Elise might have verified your times.”

“Then you’ve got yourself a chauffeur.” Josh chuckled as he finished checking the first aid kit.

Tyler climbed into the bus behind him to load the two empty Gatorade drums in beside the other gear. “I don’t want you thinking I’m sneaking off to meet some secret boyfriend in San Diego.”

“Duh. No.” Josh made a face but then realized he’d never asked the question. Everything he knew about Tyler’s love life was local gossip and tabloid guff. “Have you dated a lot?”

“Of guys?” Tyler shrugged. “A few. Athletes and actors mostly, because that’s what my publicist sets up. But I kept it quiet. I’ve never… uh—” He pressed his lips together. “Gotten serious. About anything other than football, I mean.”

“Me neither.”

“Mostly I hooked up with people who knew the deal. Simpler. Safer. Mainly dudes because they seem to get it more. The team owners can get exploitative about our personal lives.”

“So… not homophobic.”

“Less than you’d think. But more than you might notice. They don’t much care. They care about the money more than who’s in my bed. Nobody important gives a hoot nowadays. It’s a relief.” Tyler glanced through the bus windows at the parking lot. “Funny to think how much energy I used to spend keeping up appearances with models or whatever. Chicks.”

Josh knelt to slide the first aid box into the rack. “But you like guys.”

“Amen.” Tyler grinned. “I slept with plenty of girls back when I thought I had to, but if I’m bi, it’s maybe 15 percent.” He held a hand out.

Josh let Tyler tug him up, and when he rose, he stood maybe an inch away. Close enough that heat sprang up between them, as well as the urge to kiss that mouth. Josh stepped back to a safer distance. “I never knew.”

“You never asked.” Tyler licked his lower lip. “Can you imagine if we’d gotten to know each other in high school?”

Josh smiled at that. “Yep. I sure can. I did. I imagined it a whole hell of a lot. As you are well aware, Fantana.”

“So you say.” A sneaky grin crept onto Tyler’s face. “I got a filthy imagination myself, Coach.”

“Ha-ha. Very funny.”

“You should see your face.” Tyler’s voice got lower, huskier, so that Josh had to step closer to hear properly. “You think I don’t have locker room fantasies, weight room fantasies, shower fantasies?” He groped himself. “What’s your pleasure?”

Josh laughed. “Oh no. Out here like this? Not a chance.” He stepped back and clomped back to the door of the bus and down to the pavement. “Thanks for the hand. Team will be here soon.”

From behind him, Tyler growled, “Any time, Coach.”

Someone sniffed. Josh turned to find Myra Waxman about twenty feet away, framed in the doorway that led into the athletics annex. High points of color dotted her cheeks like rouge, her disapproving frown making Josh feel a foot tall. It probably showed on his face. She hadn’t even caught them flirting and he still felt guilty. “Myra. Afternoon.”

“Coach Ayres.” She looked over his shoulder. “Mr. Fantana.”

Behind him, Tyler made some kind of sound, but Josh didn’t want to turn and find out what it was or why.

Most days, Myra tended to mother him, patting and stroking him a bit too much. He also knew that she was the kind of person who was pious as a hobby, and that she fixated on people to an unhealthy degree. But at the moment her waxy lips were so tight they looked pale.

Before things got weirder, he gave Tyler a fake thumbs-up and pointed. “Car.”

When they reached it, Tyler said, “Bet you anything that old bat’s still watching us.”

Josh frowned. “She’s just lonely.”

“You trust people too much.” Tyler unlocked the door and climbed into the driver’s seat. “Kick ass tonight, Coach.”

“I’ll tell you all about it in the morning. And we’re good for Reynolds. I’ll come get you soon as I wrap up practice.”

“Thanks.” Then Tyler whispered, “You can’t tell, but I’m kissing you goodbye.”

“I can tell just fine. And me too.” He closed the car door.

By the time he walked back to the bus and the building, Myra was gone, but he had the weirdest sense she was still watching them both.

THE NEXTafternoon, Josh paced the sterile waiting room of Dr. Reynolds’s office, sneakers squeaking on the polished floor. His stomach churned as the minutes crawled by. What was taking so long? His eyes darted between the parking lot outside and the exam room door.

Despite the nurse’s assurances, Josh couldn’t shake the feeling that Cilla Miller or some other sports flack might pull up to ambush Tyler if they didn’t get moving soon.

“Relax, Mr. Ayres,” the bald nurse said with a gentle smile. “Tyler’s in good hands.”

“Thanks,” Josh muttered, forcing a tight smile of his own. He knew the man was right, but each minute ticked by more slowly, until he glimpsed a flash of movement as the exam room door creaked open.

Tyler emerged, followed by Reynolds, her looking pleased and his face pale and tight, and though he tried to plaster on a smile, it faltered at the corners.

Josh’s stomach clenched as he took in Tyler’s defeated expression. Something had gone wrong. Reynolds shook Tyler’s hand and ducked into another exam room.

“Hey, superstar.” Josh stepped closer, reaching out to touch Tyler’s arm. “You good?”

“Uh, yeah. Great.” Tyler bobbed his head.

“If you say so.” Josh frowned.

“Promise.” Tyler’s tone and body language didn’t match his words. “Just processing, you know?”

Josh wouldn’t pry, but the urge to comfort Tyler was overwhelming. Instead, he focused on their escape plan. “Listen, I’ve figured out a way to get us out of here without being seen. They got a maintenance exit down the hall we can sneak out.”

“Nice thinking, Batman,” Tyler said, his smile genuine this time. “Right behind you.”

As they made their way down the bright corridor, Josh’s mind raced. What had Dr. Reynolds told Tyler? Was he in worse shape than they thought? Tyler would tell him when he was ready. For now they just needed to get out of this place without any photos.

“Almost there,” he whispered, gesturing to a nondescript gray door ahead. “Cilla Miller and all the rest can kiss my behind.”

Tyler nodded, his strong hand gripping Josh’s shoulder in gratitude. “Thanks. For everything.”

He shot Tyler a grin. “Always.”

Josh popped open the maintenance exit. He checked the alley but saw no one. Heads down, he and Tyler trotted toward the safety of the parking lot.

As they approached, Josh popped the locks, then swung into the driver’s seat as the passenger door opened opposite. “Ta-da! No jerks. No footage.”

“Mission improbable.” Tyler jumped into the truck himself and closed his door. “You’re a miracle worker.”

Josh drove them away from the doctor’s office, checking the rearview mirror. “All clear. We’re good.”

“Thanks for bringing me today. After my run-in last time, I was trying to be careful. And Nadia got stuck on a conference call.”

“You kidding?” Josh glanced at him. “The staff gave me all the dirt. I know your stats, your BMI, your cholesterol levels, your allergies. No more secrets, baby.”

Tyler chuckled. “Well, one or two.”

“That’s what you think. I had Reynolds install a tracker, and now every time you sneak off for tamales without me, I’ll know.” He squeezed Tyler’s thigh and patted it with affection. “Consider yourself warned, Captain Fantastic.”

“Mmm. Tamales.” Tyler closed his eyes with a smile and rested his head back on the seat.

“You hungry?”

“No.” Tyler turned. “Overwhelmed, I think. My health. Nadia. The school. Team. Heart. You.” He shook his head. “Everything.”

“Okay.” Josh kept his eyes on the road. “Are we moving too fast?”

“No! God, no. Not at all. I don’t mean that. Please don’t think— Oh Josh, I would never….” Tyler sighed, and for a disconcerting moment, he stared out the window. “Reynolds, uh… she gave me the all-clear. I’m healthy.”

Josh turned in shock, worried he might steer them off the road. “Do what now? You what?”

“Not games right away. Not yet, at least. But my heart’s strong enough now to start training again. Light stuff to start, but in a month or two I’ll be ready to rejoin the team.”

“Tyler, that’s amazing!” Josh exclaimed, beaming. “That’s phenomenal news. I’m so proud of you.”

“You should get the credit.” Tyler took Josh’s hand and squeezed their laced fingers, then raised the knuckles to his lips to kiss them. “I wanted to tell her, Dr. Reynolds. Nothing would be possible without you.” The raw tenderness in his voice hurt to hear.

“You know….” Josh squeezed back. “You know I’d do anything.”

“Yeah.” Tyler nodded, but his smile seemed bittersweet. “Yeah. It’s pretty crazy to think I might actually play again after everything that happened.”

Trying to lighten the mood, Josh said, “You know… this calls for a real celebration. How about I take you out for a nice dinner tonight? We can toast to your recovery, eat like pigs, and… whatever comes next.”

“Please.” Tyler reached over and squeezed Josh’s hand. “I’d really love that.” He exhaled. “You’re right. We should go out.”

“Well, Mr. Fantana… then will you allow me to squire you out for drinks, dinner, and possible debauchery?”

“In a heartbeat.” Tyler laughed at that. “I am prepared to get away with pretty much anything you’re willing to allow. Especially debauchery.” Still, for all his sexy banter, he seemed troubled by something he wouldn’t share.

Josh kept his foot on the gas and eyes on the road for home, excited to take his man out properly. Best to let Tyler find the words when the time was right.

They pulled up to the house, and Josh took his time locking the truck. By the time he reached the door, Tyler already had it open and ushered him into the empty living room.

Josh looked around. “Nadia’s still on her call?”

Tyler glanced across at her office door. “Probably.” He unbuckled his belt.

“Then you better get a move on.”

“That’s what I was thinking.” Tyler smiled slowly as he pulled the belt free and popped the top button on his jeans. “I’m pretty dirty.”

“So”—Josh refused to take the bait—“take a shower.”

Tyler skinned out of his shirt and leaned against the arch. “What if I need help washing my back? Or my front.”

“Well, God gave you giant hands for a reason. You’ll manage.” Josh shook his head and bent his face to the cat’s exploratory sniffing. “Besides, I think Mr. Poops needs to tell me something important.”

“I may be a while. I feel extra filthy.” Tyler undid more buttons. Now his tighty-whities were showing, and his hand traced the top of them idly. “You want to come help?”

“Tyler, if we get wet now, we’ll never make it out the door.”

Tyler kicked off his jeans where he stood, revealing a whole lot of rippling muscle and bulging briefs. “I’ll be good.”

“Then I’ll be better. Go wash.” Josh blinked and looked back at the cat before he did something foolish.

Tyler groaned and left. “Evil,” he said.

To his credit, Tyler was showered and changed in less than ten minutes. When he emerged, the sight of him in jeans and a burgundy button-down shirt stole Josh’s breath. “Presentable?”

Josh didn’t trust himself to speak, so he just nodded.

“Hey…. We could stay in. You want a shower? I still feel dirty as hell.”

“Tyler.” Turning before he said anything dumb, Josh led the way back outside.

Tyler jogged to catch up with him. “Just so you know… I’m wearing those briefs you liked under this.” He kissed Josh’s surprised face, then hopped into the passenger seat.

“Now who’s evil?”

“Don’t look at me. I’m nice. I’m the nice one tonight.” Tyler kissed Josh’s hand and put it on top of his packed zipper.

Josh let himself feel the full heft of him before snatching his hand back. “Rude.”

“Maybe. But if I were being evil, we would not be wearing pants. Where are you taking me?”

Josh laughed and swatted at him. “To a kennel.”

“Oh, honey… we’re eating dogs?”

“No, nutjob, you are a dog. We’re eating Greek.” Josh pulled away from the curb. “Mediterranean diet still in effect, yes? I mean, you’re healthy for now, but let’s keep you that way.”

Saganaki was the only Greek food in town, and Josh figured it was healthy enough for Tyler. He’d made the reservations while Tyler cleaned up.

When they arrived, the place was cuter than he’d expected. And mostly empty. Maybe four booths and twelve tables.

“Mr. Fantana! Such an honor.” A squat dark man with a gigantic mustache barreled toward them. “This is my restaurant. I am the owner, Stavros. I had no idea. We’re most honored, sir.”

Tyler turned the charm on immediately, dazzling the owner and his two waitresses—his daughters, as it turned out. “My doctor told me I need Greek food for my heart.”

“Your heart. Your heart, yes.” The owner seemed hypnotized by the idea of Tyler, the glamor of an NFL player. “Yes. Greek is the healthiest. You know!”

The owner spread his arms, and Tyler did the same, smiling, accepting the bear hug enthusiastically. “Stavros, I need a favor. Can you help?”

“For you, sir, anything.” The owner’s black eyes were huge as saucers. “My family, we watch every game.”

“My friend and I are celebrating something special, but we don’t want any pictures. You know? No press.” Tyler winked, as though the international paparazzi often camped out in this tiny bistro hidden in the middle of the remote California suburbs.

“Of course.” The owner bowed and nodded. “Naturally. Our best booth for you, Mr. Fantana.” He ushered them back to the rear of the restaurant, to a high-back booth tucked in a small nook.

Following Stavros, Tyler escorted Josh to the table, his hand on the small of Josh’s back.

Before they took their seats, Tyler palmed something to the owner—folded cash, it looked like. “You take care of us, I’ll make sure you get a signed picture and tell all my buddies about this place.”

“Thank you, sir. Yes, sir. The best.” Stavros kept bowing as he backed away. “Here are my girls with water and wine. Menus to come. Thank you, Mr. Fantana.”

The two quiet daughters could have been twins, both thin and dark. One poured water and the other opened a carafe of red wine on the table with two delicate glasses. They nodded and left.

Josh squeezed his hand. “That was pretty cool. You made his month.”

“I wanted you all to myself. No cameras. No eavesdroppers. And now he’ll make sure it stays you and me just as long as we want.”

“Yes, please. How much did you give him?”

“Five hundred. This place is pretty quiet, and I want them to take care of you.”

Josh chuckled. “Well, for five hundred bucks, they’ll certainly make an effort.” He knew the money didn’t matter to Tyler, but he had wanted to take care of tonight. “I’ve never seen you do that before… be Tyler Fantana, NFL superstud. No wonder the whole world wants you.”

“Let me tell you, celebrity can be gross, but it has its uses. Wine, check.” Tyler raised his head to peer around, scanning the room to make sure they were unobserved. “Privacy, check.” He kissed Josh. “You, check.”

“Food, check.” Josh kissed him in retaliation. “And I get the check.”

Tyler didn’t like that, apparently. “Hey!”

“No arguments. This is a celebration and you’re my date. So can it, buster.”

“Deal.” As if making up for griping, Tyler was extra affectionate, his hand often finding its way to Josh’s thigh or resting on his shoulder.

Josh raised his glass of wine. “A toast.”

Dutifully, Tyler raised his glass, a smile playing on his lips.

“Strength,” Josh said, as a toast. “I’ve never met anyone stronger, and I never will.”

“Well… I had a little help.”

“Nice try. Drink.”

“Yes, Coach.” Tyler dropped his eyes to the table, mulling something over.

Just then Stavros came back with menus. Tyler told him it all looked too delicious to choose and asked him to surprise them.

The chance to really show off his food seemed to thrill the man even more. “I will. You will see. Your heart has never been stronger.” He scurried back to the kitchen.

“He’s right.” Tyler ran a finger around the lip of his wineglass. “And you aren’t going to like it, but I need to say this. You saved my life.” He raised his hazel eyes, damp with suppressed emotion. “I don’t think I would have made it back.”

“Bull.”

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to show you or make you understand how lost I was.”

Josh took his hand. “It’s okay. We’re okay.”

“I could barely stand, and you got me to run.” His eyes glittered. “You taught me to fly. Look at me, Josh.”

Josh did, his mouth dry and his hands shaky.

Tyler’s voice dropped almost to a whisper. “The thing is….” His voice hitched slightly, and he stopped short of whatever he wanted to say.

Josh didn’t dare breathe for fear he’d miss it.

“It’s just—” Tyler shook his head and looked down. “I’m trying to say that I’m—”

“Avgolemono!” Stavros stood in the plaster archway, holding a tray with two wide steaming bowls. He closed his mouth, as if aware he’d interrupted something, his mustache flexing like a caterpillar as he tried to decide what to do.

Tyler clapped his hands and spread his arms, welcoming the intrusion. “Beautiful, sir. You are the best.”

Stavros deposited the bowls, topped up the wine, and vanished. And after that, his entrances were more inconspicuous.

But the moment was gone, and Tyler seemed unable to finish his thought.

Josh sighed, frustrated. It’s okay. We’ll get where we need to. Whatever Tyler wanted would be worth the wait.

For the next two hours, Stavros and his family brought a stream of bowls and plates to the table: Steamed eggplant. Some kind of sour chicken soup. A tray of mixed olives. Tiny meatballs in sauce. Tomato fritters. Grilled lamb. And a sweet cheese thing with peppers. Between bites of their delicious meal, they joked and flirted, tucked in their own little world.

The rest of dinner passed in a soft haze.

And then for dessert, a delicate flaky pastry with honey, butter, and ground nuts. Baklava was what Stavros called it. Tyler couldn’t get enough of it, which delighted the owner greatly.

When they were finished, Josh asked for the check, but Stavros wouldn’t hear of it. Family, he called them. “Like sons.”

Stavros insisted the whole meal was on the house, and he looked hurt when Josh tried to put a couple hundred bucks on his counter.

After much back and forth, Josh gave in, and Tyler shook the man’s hand and promised to bring back some of his teammates. As they left, he grabbed a business card.

Josh asked, “A card?”

“I’ll have Chuck send headshots for me and a couple of the guys signed to him and praising the restaurant.”

“So you’re not going to bring the guys here.”

“Oh, I absolutely will. You kidding? Odell, Vance, Felix, and definitely Rodrigo. They will flip over this place.” He bumped against Josh. “I always keep my word.”

“You do.” Josh paused and looked at him head-on. “You always keep your promises. That’s true.”

“Ever since I was a kid. My father was such a rotten liar that I think I did it just to be a pain in his ass. The habit just stuck. So does that make me honest or just stubborn?”

Clouds scudded past the stars overhead. They’d been a long time; it had to be ten o’clock or later.

Josh unlocked the truck. “Where to now?”

“Well, I’m not about to turn into a pumpkin.”

“Where do you want to go?”

Tyler bent his head and inhaled deeply. “Anywhere so long as it’s with you. How do you always smell so good?”

Josh asked, “Mine?”

Tyler straightened.

Josh blinked at him innocently. “What? Yes? Any interest?” The nerves were real, but more than anything, he didn’t want to let Tyler go away.

“Interest! Do you mean what I think you mean?” Tyler’s voice got husky. “Are you inviting me to come home with you? Is this a trick?”

“No trick.”

Without bothering to say another word, Tyler scrambled into the truck so fast Josh started laughing.

“Well, okay then.”

The whole way home, Tyler touched and nuzzled him. Little by little, he undid Josh’s buttons and buckle until his clothes were open to Tyler’s insistent hands.

“You’re going to run me off the road. Or I’m going to spray the steering wheel.”

After that, Tyler contented himself by holding Josh’s balls in one big hand, his thick wrist grazing Josh’s raging boner with maddening gentleness for the entire drive. “Serves you right.”

At the front door, Tyler took the keys out of his hand, unlocked Josh’s door, and pushed him over the threshold, forcing him backward into the parlor.

Josh’s open pants kept slipping down his thighs, and his unbuttoned shirt flapped around him. Mostly he kept having to pull things up and across his skin so he didn’t end up naked before he stopped moving.

Tyler rubbed his smooth cheek against Josh’s. “I can’t believe you invited me home.”

“Not like I didn’t want to before.”

“I think about this a whole lot, you know. You don’t even know. Weeks. At this point, the jerking off I’m doing is mostly for your safety and my sanity.”

Josh laughed. “Well, you don’t seem too tired.” He pressed his hand against Tyler’s thudding heart. “And we know that’s healthy now.”

“Wait a minute.” Tyler’s eyes flared. “Hold on a second. Josh? My heart? Have you been waiting this whole time to make sure my blood pressure can handle…?”

“No.” Josh winced. “Maybe.” He held up his hands. “What if something happened? I didn’t want to hurt you or risk anything.”

Tyler growled and tugged at his belt. “Are you telling me I’ve been taking icy showers for three weeks and jerking myself raw every night because you had concerns about my cardiac safety?”

Josh grinned apologetically. “Umm.”

“You are the craziest….” He kissed Josh’s neck and kicked out of his jeans. “Sexiest….” “Stubbornest son of a biscuit I ever knew in my life.” He went to his knees and licked across Josh’s hip at the waistband of his briefs.

“It hasn’t exactly been a treat for me either, big guy. Two to tango.” Josh glanced down at the lump of his cock in front of Tyler’s face.

Tyler grinned and sat back on his heels, looking up at him. “Unbelievable.” He kissed Josh’s stomach.

“But be honest. You can get a little out of control, which is great, mind you.” Josh stepped close, pressing himself into Tyler’s face. “I never want you to have to hold back with me.” He dragged his cotton-covered erection along Tyler’s jawline.

Tyler shivered and groaned. “Help.”

“What’s the matter, big guy?” Josh leaned down to kiss him and bit his lip gently, then sucked on it.

“Unf. Joshua. Come here. Come down here. Come be with me.” Tyler scudded backward until he met the couch and then tugged Josh onto the full, hot length of his body. “Oh my God. Joshua.” Opening his mouth, he pulled Josh down to claim a kiss, wrapping him in those massive arms that squeezed the breath out of him.

Josh shifted upward, his hard dick drilling into Tyler’s abs, and licked his throat with languid appetite.

“You’re going to make me cum like that.”

“Licking your neck? Noted.”

“Weak spot.” Tyler laughed. “Don’t judge.”

“Won’t judge. Won’t budge.” He licked Tyler again, starting at one stiff nipple and then right up the length of his throat to suck on his lobe. “You taste so good. I’m going to need time to learn every inch.”

“Anything.” Tyler was panting now and had made a definite wet spot on his stretched briefs. His breath came fast and short. “Oh. Oh, Josh….”

Again, Josh lowered himself and licked, this time starting at his small navel while Tyler jerked and cursed, along the ridged abdominal muscles, across the chest and then up to the other lobe to suck and nurse at it.

Tyler shuddered. “Oh! Oh no. I can’t—”

“You can. You’re so strong for me. Look how strong you are. You can take anything. You told me so. You asked for the worst.”

Josh indulged every worshipful fantasy he’d ever dreamed in the darkest stretches of tenth grade, slobbering and sucking on Tyler with frantic appetite while the poor guy bucked and shuddered against Josh’s mouth. Under his reverent ministrations, Tyler twitched and quaked in ecstasy, clutching at his shoulders and cradling his head. The wet spot on his briefs leaked through onto Josh’s belly.

The next time he crawled down Tyler’s body, he tugged the briefs free, exposing the full thickness of him. It was so perfect his mouth literally got wet. “Jesus, Tyler.” He dragged his mouth up the broad shaft, across the chiseled landscape of flexing muscle, until he was kissing Tyler hard and hungry. He kissed Tyler without pulling back, as if trying to find whatever he kept hidden and holy.

Tyler shook then, a raw barking scream building and building until he wrapped his legs around Josh’s back and squeezed them together. His heart hammered against Josh’s, healed and helpless. Tyler arched and tightened his limbs around Josh hard enough to bruise.

Tyler’s shaft spat between them, and Josh felt himself coming unraveled at the same time, groaning his own perfect pleasure into Tyler’s mouth as they finally spilled together.

In the dim light, the world narrowed to the space where Josh and Tyler clung together, their breaths mingling in the still air. Josh marveled at the weight of Tyler’s muscular arm draped over his back, the past few hours resonating through every inch of his body. All those dormant feelings had paled beside the reality, the real Tyler with him like this.

Gradually they caught their breath, and Tyler gathered him closer, tucked Josh’s head under his chin, and kissed it possessively. “I love your couch.”

But the odd tension Tyler had carried out of Dr. Reynolds’s office still hung in the air like a promise or a threat.

“Ty,” Josh murmured, tracing lazy circles on Tyler’s chest as he nuzzled closer. “What was bothering you before?”

“Reality, I think. Time.” Tyler shifted against him, hazel eyes meeting his with unwavering intensity. “We’ll make it work. I promise. I will.” His cocky grin put in a cautious appearance. “It’s going to suck sometimes, the pressure, but I will do every single thing in my power for you.”

Josh nodded, but uncertainty gnawed at the edges of his happiness. “What pressure?” He searched Tyler’s face. “You mean reporters or whatever.”

“Long distance.” Tyler’s voice was playful as he stroked Josh possessively. “It can be brutal. I’ll come back as often as I can. Training and traveling eat up a lot of my life. But there’s an upside. My reputation helps. My fans too. The team. They don’t take crap from anyone. But I’m gone a lot. Part of the gig.”

The prospect of a life lived under the microscope of celebrity unsettled Josh, and the idea of being away from Tyler so much sounded awful. He crossed his arms over his chest and scooted back against the arm of the couch so he could see Tyler’s eyes.

Now Josh understood. The good news Reynolds had given him meant their time was running out, as of today. Their fairy-tale detour from the hard knocks of real life was ending. Now that Tyler’s heart was better, he’d have to leave. “Right.”

“We’re okay. I promise. You watch. You’ve healed me so much I’m going to do great.” He chuckled. “Boris should pay you a bonus to come be my trainer.”

“I don’t think so.”

“I do. This is going to sound weird, but I feel like myself, like I can see myself for the first time in I don’t know how long. Thanks to you.”

“You’re giving me too much credit. I’m nobody special.”

Tyler took his hand and squeezed and kissed their joined knuckles. “See, that’s where you’re wrong, Mr. Ayres. In a way, we just met. Like, actually, for-real met as real three-dimensional human beings. That’s such a gift. So I want us to have time to get to know each other. I’ll make all the time you want.”

“Same.”

“And hey, maybe… maybe one day you’ll want to leave this place and come join me. Wherever. San Diego or anyplace else, really. There’s so much out there I wish I could show you. I mean, someplace that isn’t as backwards.”

That was the deal. Cinnamar would always be a place Tyler had left so he could succeed. Now that they were an item, he hoped Josh would work up the nerve to do the same, eventually.

Tyler whispered, “Maybe someday. Nothing definite, and not now. Promise me you’ll think about it.” He pressed a soft kiss to Josh’s temple, squeezing him hard.

Josh swallowed, torn between the safety of what he knew and the exhilaration of discovering uncharted territory with Tyler. “Promise.” His breath hitched as he imagined a future away from the community he loved. The very glamor of it felt like a trap. “I still have a battle ahead of me here.”

“The book-ban thing. Listen,” Tyler continued, tightening his grip around Josh’s waist, “we can use my platform to raise awareness, fight back against these bigots in Cinnamar and anywhere else. I truly believe that the NFL can help too. We can protect you, the school, the library. Keep hassles to a minimum.”

“They can, you mean.”

“Well, I will too, but I can’t be there all the time. That’s just reality.”

As they lay in each other’s arms, Josh couldn’t help wondering if their feelings could withstand the distance and scrutiny they’d be forced to face. Tyler didn’t seem to grasp the risks he was asking Josh to take.

“Joshua.” Tyler looked up at him and beamed, seemingly appeased, and nestled into Josh’s chest. “How am I ever going to sleep again without holding you like this?” He buried his face in Josh’s nape and inhaled deeply. “Thank you,” he whispered. “Thank you. Thank you.”

Within moments, Tyler’s breathing slowed and deepened, as if all his burdens had dropped away. Eventually he slept, his burly frame relaxing into sleep on the big couch with the ease of long practice, the even rise and fall of his ribs under Josh’s cheek as steady as a vow.

But Josh lay rigid and awake, his mind racing. Could a long-distance relationship survive? How could he leave Cinnamar? His job, his friends, his family—all here. And what of the media circus that would surely rummage through their private lives?

Josh wrestled with doubt. He envisioned the ambushes, the vile gossip, the savvy bigots who’d take aim at a “proud” couple. Josh might even lose his job, with enough malicious small-town chatter. Tyler insisted he was ready, but Josh worried for them both.

And yet the prospect of being with Tyler, of building something real together…. He wanted those wicked hazel eyes every morning, that dazzling smile every night. A life with Tyler would be as frightening as it was intoxicating.

He craned up to kiss the line of Tyler’s jaw.

Josh glanced at the clock. Time was their real enemy. He had always played it safe, avoiding heartbreak through caution and restraint. But Tyler had smashed through those defenses with his megawatt charisma and surprisingly tender heart.

He sighed. Even now, cradled in Tyler’s arms, the future was unclear.

Josh closed his eyes and willed his restless mind to stillness as if to slow time itself. They had now, and that would have to be enough. As exhaustion claimed him, Josh surrendered to fitful dreams.