6. Evan
Chapter 6
Evan
The sun warmed my skin as I carried my longboard out of the ocean. It had taken me very little time to become accustomed to the sixty-eight-degree water in Southern California. Even though it provided an initial shock to the system, it was nothing compared to the ice baths necessary after a game. No matter how badly it made my balls retreat, it reduced the amount of muscle damage after a rough game and kept me off the injured list.
Was I a good surfer?
Not really. But I enjoyed the challenge and excitement that came with conquering something new. Sometimes it took me a while to get up on the board, but it was fun, and I could laugh at myself. That’s all that mattered.
Dropping my board onto the sand, I shook my head to remove the water before grabbing my towel. Turning, I sat and relaxed on the sand. The first place my mind went was to Hudson.
When we returned from Sacramento a week ago, I received a text thanking me for stopping by. He told me Jack had been in a superior mood since our visit and had apologized to him later that evening.
Me: That’s great! Glad we could help.
Hudson: What I want to know is how you knew to come by.
Me: After everything Adley told me, I figured he wasn’t going to be happy. And you didn’t deserve that.
Hudson: I don’t know what to say other than thank you.
Me: No thanks necessary.
Hudson: Have you thought about having kids?
Me: LOL. Why? You giving yours away?
Hudson: No. I’m just saying you have a way with them. You’ll make a good father someday.
Me: I appreciate that. It’s probably because I act like one.
We’d been texting ever since, and I had to admit it made me feel needed. No matter how attractive I found him to be or how many times I’d jerked off to the memory of him, I could be his friend. I’d rather have that than nothing at all.
“How’s the water?”
I shielded my eyes and looked up at the sound of Nick’s familiar voice. He was my college roommate and former boyfriend. Now he held the honor of being one of my best friends.
“Cold as fuck,” I said as he sat down on the sand. “Where’s Preston?”
“In the kitchen, working on a new recipe for his cooking class.”
“Oh yeah? What’s he making?”
“Avocado Brownies. He’s trying to get the texture right, thinking he can get the kids hooked on them.”
I laughed, thinking about his husband. Preston was not my biggest fan, but the sometimes irritable former restauranteur and chef was good for my best friend. He was a bit possessive for my taste but loved Nick enough to give up his new restaurant in Portland to move to San Diego.
“How was the Gala?”
I shifted so I could see him, and I knew the smile on my face was hard to miss.
“It was good.”
Nick studied me for a moment. “What kind of good? Did you hook up?”
I shook my head. “I wish. But I did meet someone who interests me.”
Nick shifted on the sand to face me. “Really? You gonna see them again?”
“Yes, actually. But it’s not going anywhere. He’s straight and has two kids. Lost his wife two years ago.”
His brows drew together. “Everyone is straight until they’re not. But you’re gonna see him again? Does he know who you are? You gotta be careful, Ev. There are a lot of people out there who will take advantage of someone as his as you.”
I tried to subdue my smile, but it was impossible. “I don’t think I have to worry about that.”
Nick narrowed his eyes. “Evan. You’re a celebrity and live in the public eye.” He lowered his voice and leaned in. “Not to mention you make a shit ton of money.”
“I know,” I replied, touched by his concern. “But we’re just friends. Lennox and I are going to show them around the stadium and San Diego. And he lives in the public eye even more than I do. He makes me look like a nobody.”
He laughed. “Who the hell did you meet?”
I marveled as his architect’s brain put the pieces together. And when his mouth fell open and surprise took over his face, I knew he’d put it together.
“Are you talking about the Governor? He’s hot as fuck.”
Tipping my head back, I laughed at Nick’s assessment.
The sun was suddenly blocked, and we both knew who had joined us.
“ Who is hot as fuck, babe?” Preston asked as he held out a paper plate.
Nick took the plate and smiled up at his husband of two years. Preston was more than ten years older than us, but I could admit he was hot, too.
“Hudson Gatlin. Evan met him and his kids last weekend.”
Preston propped his hands on his hips as he frowned down at us. “He’s straight. Tell me you did not hit on the fucking governor.”
I smiled. “No, Dad. I didn’t hit on him. But he did spill his drink all over me.”
Preston’s head dropped forward as if to hear me better, but Nick reached for his wrist and urged him down onto the sand. When he was settled, I told them about meeting him and stopping by his house on a whim.
Preston raised one eyebrow at me. “Does he know you like him? And more importantly, does he know you’re not straight?”
“Why does my sexuality matter? We’re just friends.”
Preston laughed humorlessly and shook his head at me. “Are you serious? He’s a widower with two kids. Not to mention the most powerful man in the state. Imagine the rumors and speculation if the press finds out.”
“Babe,” Nick said, lowering his hand to his husband’s thigh. “Why are you so worked up? They’re just friends.”
He frowned at Nick, then nodded.
“Yes, you’re right. But he’s a political figure and a single dad. Not to mention a genuinely good man who cares about the people.”
“No one is saying he’s not, Pres. Lennox and I wanted to help with his son. That’s all.”
Preston nodded and ran his hand over his mouth. Reaching for the plate, he held it out to me.
“Try these.”
I reached for a brownie and took a bite. The unmistakable taste of dark chocolate burst over my tongue as I moaned. You’d never know they were made with avocados.
“You’ve got a winner there, Preston.”
Nick agreed and took another one.
His face relaxed as I ate my brownie.
“I guess I should mention he’s coming here to talk about my program. He wants to see firsthand how we work with the kids.”
I grinned. “I know. He told me.”
Reaching out, I patted him on the shoulder. “Don’t worry. I’ll put in a good word for you.”
Preston grunted and rolled his eyes before leaving us sitting on the beach.