Chapter Eleven
Sterling: The bed smells like you. I don’t want to get up.
Buck: Then don’t. You’re entitled to a day in bed.
Sterling: Then I won’t be able to follow you around and bug you all day.
Buck: Mhmm. Bug me. I like it.
Sterling: Give me fifteen.
Buck: AJ says he’s gone to three stores, and no one has the champagne everyone likes.
Sterling: Tell him to get whatever is tolerable. As long as we’re all together for the wedding reception, I’m not worried about what we drink.
Sterling: I can’t wait to marry you.
Buck: I can’t wait to marry you.
Sterling: Ha! We texted the same thing at the same time.
Buck: How’s practice going?
Sterling: Sorry it took me so long to text you back. I was out on the field. It’s going great. A lot of my friends are still here.
Buck: That’s great! I’m so proud of you.
Sterling: I love you.
Buck: I love you too.
The way Sterling stood, completely at ease and smiling like happiness glowed from the inside, had Buck incapable of looking away.
In uniform, covered in dust and sweat from the game, Buck was beyond ready to take him home.
Buck knew he had done a lot wrong in his life and made countless mistakes.
Sterling would never be on that list. The pride that filled his chest each time he looked at his sexy man, Buck wanted to point and scream, “That’s my man! ”
The moment came that was always inevitable these days. Buck held his breath the second he heard the question hit the air.
“Do you think your old team is missing you now since their season tanked?”
Sterling kept the perfect, nonchalant expression. “I have no idea.”
“Do you think their season was impacted at all by the release of your book?”
Sterling shrugged. “I seriously doubt it, but if so, I don’t care. My book empowered several other victims to step forward. I’ll never regret standing up for what’s right and not allowing them to force me into silence. I can’t even imagine what it takes to be so horrible, you’d bully a victim.”
The blond reporter nodded along. She continued talking, but Buck couldn’t hear anymore.
He was too focused on Sterling’s expression, praying this didn’t trigger a rebound.
While Sterling was a thousand times better than he had ever been, mental health didn’t always care how good things were going.
Battles against the mind were some of the toughest.
Sterling’s gaze flickered his way. He said something to the interviewer. After a few exchanged nods, Sterling headed his way. Buck didn’t hesitate. He opened his arms for Sterling.
Sterling walked into his embrace. He stole a quick kiss. “Hey.”
Buck couldn’t stop smiling. “Hey. You did great today. Congratulations! You’ll probably end up with more offers to move up in the league than you can handle after this.
” Sterling had helped his team win every game of the season, but two they had before he was added to the roster.
A pro taking a step back into a lower league, at the height of his career, was obviously more than his opponents could handle.
Sterling kissed him again until he pulled away, breathless. Love stared at Buck. “It doesn’t matter. I’m not going anywhere.” His gaze raked Buck’s body. “Why would I leave all this behind? Plus, there’s no way I can sleep without my husband keeping me warm.”
A loud cackle cut through the air, making them jump. They turned to see Tip, AJ, and Tip’s husband Artem headed their way. Artem pushed his grandmother Baba’s wheelchair. It seemed she had been the one to shock them out of the moment.
She clapped. A huge grin split her face. She was a naughty old gal who spent half her time living at the ranch with Tip and Artem. Buck loved her. Everyone did.
“A game and an after show. Don’t stop on my account.”
“Stop on mine,” AJ said with a laugh. “I’m too young to witness this.”
Baba let out another witch-like cackle before smacking AJ’s arm. “Don’t be a prude, boy.”
AJ’s smile screamed he wasn’t bothered. He had spent a lot of time with Baba before moving out on his own. She was as good as his grandmother too. “It’s not prudishness to not want to watch your dad making out.”
Baba shrugged. “Fair.”
Buck shook his head.
Sterling moved to hug Baba.
Tip patted his back. “Good job out there.”
Sterling deserved to be exactly where he was: the center of attention. He made a dismissive gesture. “I had fun, but I’m also glad it’s over.” He tossed a glance Buck’s way before continuing. “I’m ready to relax for a while.”
A shiver of delight ran down Buck’s spine. The look of promise in Sterling’s eyes screamed there would be little relaxing.
“This was fun. I had a good view of all the sweaty men.”
Artem shook his head but looked resigned. His grandmother was always a mess.
Sterling chuckled. “There’s always next year.”
“Speak it into existence, boy. I’m old.”
Buck couldn’t stop fighting back the laughter.
Baba made a dismissive gesture. “Today is about you. Speaking of which, I read your book. Then I had Tip drag out my cauldron.” She patted Tip’s arm.
“We make the best spells together.” She focused on Sterling, turning serious.
“That man will not have a good time in prison. No, he absolutely won’t. ”
Sterling looked uncomfortable for the first time. A nervous laugh escaped him. “Thank you.” He sounded as if he wasn’t sure if that was the right response.
Baba gave him a sharp nod.
Buck stepped in before Sterling withdrew. “I thought we were going to dinner.”
Baba nodded. “I’m starved. That German fellow said there’s some roadside bar and grill place around here. This old lady needs a drink.”
Artem backed up Baba’s chair. “Then let’s get started. If a drink is what my lady wants, then that’s what she gets.”
The happiness in Baba’s laughter made Buck smile. She might be a scandalous one, but she was also well loved. He hoped for the same in his golden years.
AJ squeezed Buck’s shoulder before shaking Sterling’s hand. “You did great. See you two at the restaurant.”
Buck did all the smiling, nodding, and pleasantries.
It was fantastic to see his son being so okay with Buck’s marriage.
But it was a huge relief when he finally had Sterling alone in the truck, especially since Sterling was across the cab and on him in an instant.
Their tongues stroked. Heavy breathing filled the air.
Sterling kept him so hot, he thought he would explode.
“How late do you think we can be before they get suspicious?”
Buck swallowed and adjusted his erection. “Not long enough.”
“Damn.”
Buck nodded. “Same.”
“Let’s hurry, then.”
Buck put on his seat belt while Sterling did the same. “Agreed. One drink. Quick bite, and then home.”
As if reality hit them simultaneously, they froze and held each other’s stare.
Time seemed to halt. They were really okay.
Happy. Deliriously happy. Too many times over the years, Buck hadn’t seen a path for this life.
Somehow, life’s challenges hadn’t broken them.
Their love was stronger than the ugly parts of living.
This was meant to be. They were soulmates and best friends. Unbreakable.
“I love you.”
Sterling’s words cut through the spell that kept him frozen.
“I love you too.”
Sterling swallowed. “I was so damn scared we’d never have this life.”
Buck nodded. “Me too.”
They linked fingers. Another moment of savoring their marriage passed before they made the drive to meet their family.
Their family. The miracle of them never ceased to amaze him.
Thank God. The alternative was unthinkable, but their love was indestructible.
That was a proven fact. They were forever.