Chapter 17
SEVENTEEN
TEX (TRAVIS)
“It’ll be cold as hell for this game tomorrow.” I stood at the elevator at our hotel in Boulder, Colorado, with Malik, Grey, and Masters. What was Colton doing right now? He’d said he would study all weekend, so he was back in his comfort zone.
The elevator dinged, and we entered.
“Yeah, we’ll see how good my new thermals are tonight.” Grey chuckled. “I won’t have the advantage of moving on the field like you guys.”
“Coach will play you, Grey. You watch.” Malik patted his shoulder.
As the elevator opened to our floor, my phone buzzed in the pocket of my joggers. Was it Colton? I slipped it out. Nope. “Hey, this is my dad. I’ll take the call and meet you in the room, okay, Masters?”
“Sure thing.” Masters gave a high-five to Malik and Grey, and then they dispersed through the hallway.
I started the call, pressing the phone to my ear. “Hey, Dad.”
“Hi, Travis. I have good news.”
“You do?” I strolled the hallway in the opposite direction of the guys. “Lay it on me.” Would it be football or family related?
“I’ve spoken to a few agents who are interested in you, and I think I’ve found someone you’re going to love.”
Oh, hell yes. It was great having a father so well-connected. I didn’t have to deal with the agent vetting bullshit. “Who is it? Tell me about him?”
“Well, it’s not a him, it’s a her, Nicole Morgan.” He paused. “She’s a go-getter and is empathetic to your, um, situation. She represents elite draft picks and secures excellent contracts.”
My brain stuck on empathetic to my situation. Was he talking about my sexuality? Had Dad had a hard time finding someone to represent me because I was gay? But my friends hadn’t. “Dad, did you look at Dennis Brenner? He signed—”
“Of course, but I think Nicole is a better fit for you.” He huffed. “Her being a woman shouldn’t dissuade you. She’s done a great job for so many linemen, and she’s very excited to work with you.”
I gaped and halted in the hallway. Hell, did I hold some prejudice against having a woman represent me? How could I, given my experience as an out gay football player? “Okay, Dad. I trust your judgment on this.”
“Good. I really think she’ll work hard for you. I’ll have her call you. Are you okay if I ask her to send me the contract? I can have a lawyer review it before you sign.”
As a smile tugged my lips, I said, “Of course, Dad. I look forward to speaking with her.” I paced toward my room. “How’s the family?”
“They’re all doing great. We’re excited to have you home for Christmas.”
I’d love to tell him about Colton, but I had to wait until things settled with him. “Yeah, I can’t wait either. It’s been a long semester.” I strolled to my door. “I need to settle into my hotel room. We just got here.”
“Sure, speak with you soon.”
“Yeah, bye Dad, and I love you.” I slipped my keycard from the pocket of my joggers.
“Love you too and play well tonight. We’ll be watching,” he said. “Bye now.” He ended the call.
We’d lost the game in Boulder by ten points, and the rest of the week passed by quickly with it being only three days of classes.
I’d spent Tuesday with Colton, sharing blowjobs and then studying.
Thanksgiving Day was here, and I was excited to cook for him.
I’d looked up recipes on Google and purchased all the ingredients.
After loading the groceries into my truck, I paused at the front door.
Malik and Grey were having a late morning coffee on the couch.
Grey had ordered an already-prepared prime rib meal for the two of them.
They only had to heat it up. “Well, I’m off.
” They hadn’t asked many questions, but I was sure it was because they had their own shit show to deal with and were dreading the dates Grey’s father had insisted on.
One date for Grey had turned into a double date for both.
I was so glad Sara was out of the picture for Colton and me.
“Okay.” Malik threw me a glance. “I’m glad you’ll be there for Colton today. He shouldn’t have to spend the holiday by himself.”
I peered at him. They’d stopped asking when they would meet Colton. I sensed they needed the day alone with each other as much as I needed it with Colton. “Yeah, well, you two enjoy yourselves.”
“Oh, we will.” Grey gave me a thin-lipped grin.
Yes, they needed this time alone. I shut the door behind me and strode to my truck.
Holding three bags of groceries, I stepped up Colton’s stairs, remembering my initial visit when I didn’t know what to expect and I certainly never thought I’d fall so deeply in love with the adorable nerd behind the black door.
As I reached the landing, the door popped open. “Tex.” Colton gave me a warm smile. “Let me help you with those.” He grabbed a grocery bag and kissed my cheek.
“You kissed me outside.” That was unusual, but I liked it. His fear of being seen with me had diminished the closer we’d gotten to the end of the semester and with each therapy session.
“Of course, from now on I’ll always greet you with a kiss.” With a sharp laugh, he strode into his kitchen.
I entered the apartment. The television was on, tuned to the pre-game NFL show for the early game.
The fireplace held a fire log with a few logs resting next to it.
“Oh, football and a fire?” As I passed his dinette, I scanned the candle in a jar, centering it.
He’d already set the table with plates, napkins, silverware and… wine glasses? “You bought wine?”
“Of course I did. You said to buy the drinks, so I bought wine for our meal and beer for when we watch the game.” Lifting his chin, he beamed at me as he set his grocery bag on the kitchen island.
“This is nice, Colton.” I set my grocery bags on the counter. “You have a romantic side.” Wrapping my arms around his waist, I pulled him to me, emotion flooding my insides. I loved him so much. Did he feel the same?
As his gaze rose to mine, he pressed a lingering kiss on my lips and then hooked his arms around me and squeezed. “I’ve been looking forward to this day—cooking with you, watching football, relaxing. Being a domestic couple.”
My heart swelled, and I hugged him to my chest. I could picture coming home to him like this every day.
Would it happen for us? Would he follow me to whatever city I’d play in after graduation?
We had time to discuss it. It was amazing how quickly my feelings had grown for him.
It had to mean he was the person for me.
“Why aren’t you saying anything?” He pushed off me, his gaze cutting to mine.
As heat crept through my cheeks, I said, “You’ve got me tongue-tied, Colton. I like the idea of being a domestic couple with you.” Cupping his cheeks, I pushed my mouth against his, showing him with a kiss how much I loved him. One of these days, I’d have the balls to say it.
As he melted against me, he freed a soft moan and then broke the kiss. “If you keep that up…”
“I know. Later. I have to get the food started or we’ll be ordering Chinese takeout.” Huffing a chuckle, I pulled my phone from my jeans pocket and set it on the counter. I had all my recipes open in my browser app. “First, let’s start on the bird.”
“Okay, let me light the fire log and open the wine while you do that.” He rushed into the main room and lit the paper on the fire log.
I placed the groceries inside the refrigerator, then arranged other items upon the counter. His refrigerator wasn’t as orderly as I’d seen it. “What wine did you get, red or white?”
He pulled out a bottle of red wine. “The liquor guy at the grocery store told me Pinot Noir goes well with turkey. So, I got two bottles.”
I balked. Was he aiming to get me drunk enough to make me stay the night? “I might have to Uber home.”
With a shoulder shrug, he said, “So be it. We can work out those details later. Let’s not worry about it now.”
I prepared all the food, and while it cooked, I sat on the couch with Colton, drinking a beer while we watched the Chiefs take on the Dallas Cowboys, the latter of which was my favorite team.
I’d had a taste of the wine while I’d cooked, but for me, watching football needed a beer.
The flicker of the fire log added a warm touch to the room.
It was then I noticed it—he had decorations.
My breath caught. I’d been so used to his apartment being bare.
Now there were plastic succulents on the end tables with coasters beside them, and a bowl holding decorative rocks on the coffee table.
A real plant stood in the corner in front of the window.
“Colton, hey.” I pushed him off my chest.
“Yeah?” His gaze fluttered to mine, and he set his wine on a coaster on the end table.
“When did you get all this stuff?” It wasn’t a lot, but it was something. “The, the plants and shit.” I arched a brow. It hadn’t been here on Tuesday when I’d visited last.
While shrugging a shoulder, his cheeks flushed pink. “I don’t know, Wednesday, I guess.” A shy grin curled his lips. “It was a suggestion from my therapist.”
I angled toward him. This was significant. “Okay, and why would your therapist tell you to go out and buy decorations?”
He blew a long breath. “There’s something I hadn’t mentioned to you before.
” He chewed his lower lip for a beat. “I used to get anxious when I felt I was losing control and I’d, uh, clean stuff out.
” His lips bowed down. “I’d clean my closet or get rid of things I thought I didn’t really need.
When I had nothing left, I’d rearrange things—my refrigerator, cabinets, my closet.
” He hung his head. “It’s a trauma response. ”
“Like a reverse hoarder?” Was there such a thing? I grabbed his hand. Holy hell, it all made sense. The orderly way his refrigerator had been the few times I’d gotten things from it. Hell, it wasn’t like that today. Did that mean? “Colton, does this mean you’re getting better?”