Chapter 30
CHAPTER
THIRTY
“Are you sure about this?” Garrett asked for the third time. The first two times had been as they’d packed up his hotel room. Now he stood in the doorway with a box in his arms and a bag slung over his shoulder.
“Yes. I’m sure things will be messy for a bit, but I want more than Mondays and fitting in around the edges.” He’d always tried to fit his relationships around everything else, another way he kept his lovers at a safe distance.
He unlocked the door. “I cleared space in the wardrobe last night.”
“You weren’t sleeping either?” Garrett stepped into the house.
“I wasn’t sleeping because I realized what I needed to do, and I wanted to get it done.”
“What if I’d said no because you’re moving too fast?” Garrett set the box down in the living room.
“It was still done. I know you want my kitchen… and that you go after what you want with no fear.”
“There’s fear, but I try not to give it space to breathe.” He placed a kiss on Chester’s lips and took the bag off him, then jogged up the stairs to drop his clothes in the bedroom.
Chester brought in another box instead of following. There hadn’t been much to pack. Garrett’s entire life could fit into his car.
Garrett walked down the stairs, phone in his hand and looking far too serious.
“What’s wrong?” Were people already making negative comments?
Caitlin had approved the release of a photo and post, and they had both posted. Chester had resisted checking. Now he needed to know.
“Hulme sent me a video. James has announced his retirement.”
That didn’t explain the frown. “That’s good, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.” Garrett glanced up. “But he didn’t want to retire.”
“You think he was told to?”
“Or he was told he wouldn’t be playing for the rest of the season and knew no one else would pick him up.”
“So the job is yours, and you’re playing this weekend?”
Garrett nodded, a smile lighting up his face. “Yeah, it looks that way.”
“Now tell me what people are saying on your post.”
Garrett put his phone into his pocket, picked Chester up, spun him around and then set him down before pulling him close. “I don’t care what they say. I love you and nothing is going to change that.”
Chester wrapped his arms around Garrett’s neck and leaned in to kiss him. “We should finish emptying the car, then we can sort out the bedroom and put your stuff away.”
“That is definitely something I’ve never done.”
“It’s very advanced, but given that I’ve already claimed my side, it shouldn’t be too hard.” Chester kissed him again.
“I can assure you I’m already hard.” Garrett pulled him closer until Chester could indeed feel the hardness.
Chester laughed but didn’t push him away. “Then I hope you didn’t dump your bags on the bed.”
Garrett’s teeth tugged on the lip ring. “I’m not in a rush… Are you?”
“Yes.” He had held back from falling in love for so long that now he didn’t want to waste any more time.
Garrett Stevens, punter for the Troopers, has ended speculation about his trade, coming out as gay and admitting that he is living with his boyfriend, Austin-based entrepreneur Chester Monroe. Given the way he’s been playing since the trade, the move to be with his partner has been a good one for him and the team. Fellas, let’s have a drink for them and wish them well.
Kingsley Black—The Draft