Slam Dunk (Sporting Pride #6)

Chapter One

An elbow to the ribs was always a fun time.

Jathan got it, though. It was the playoffs, and the other team was losing.

That always made for dirty plays. Still, Jathan felt an odd mixture of relief and sadness when the buzzer sounded.

Soon, this would be over. No matter how far they went this year, it always ended.

People hugged and pulled elaborate handshakes.

They were just games away from going to the conference finals.

It was surreal. Even though it wasn’t his first time making it this far, he still felt crazy proud of this team.

It was definitely a brotherhood… on the court.

As soon as the handshakes passed, everyone returned to their worlds, where they would celebrate with their group.

He knew why he wasn’t truly part of any clique.

No one said it, though. He was too talented to slur.

As soon as that ended, though, Jathan already knew what the headlines would look like.

Jathan turned in a circle, eyeing the building he had called home for the last nine years.

He had lasted longer than at least seventy-five percent of players in the league.

The Fireballs had picked him up at eighteen and he had worked his ass off for them in every sense.

The pay matched, though. Still, in his heart of hearts, he knew he was only a few short years away from the end.

A familiar form in a cowboy hat moved through the floor seats toward the end of the aisle. Happiness soared through Jathan.

He let out a loud whistle. “Quince!” Nothing. Jathan panicked a little. He couldn’t let him get away. A ball boy was nearby, working. Jathan caught his eye and waved for a ball. The guy tossed it his way.

Thankfully, Jathan was known for his accuracy. He chucked the ball into the crowd, hitting Quince square in the back. Quince turned, looking confused as hell.

Jathan bit back a laugh as he threw his hands up. “Are you really going to leave without even saying hi?” Jathan shouted the question, ensuring he was heard.

Quince looked around, obviously irritated by the slow-moving crowd. Giving up, he started climbing over chairs and making his way toward the court. A security guard tried to stop him.

Jathan let out another sharp whistle. The security guard turned. “He’s with me.”

With a nod, he stepped aside and let Quince dip into the crowd on the court.

Jathan never lost sight of him. Not only was Quince almost as tall as Jathan, but his cowboy hat also stood out.

Finally, sexy steel-colored eyes were on him.

Quince’s too-gorgeous smile was there. “Hey. I didn’t really think I’d get to say hi.

I just figured I’d let you know next time you’re out at the ranch that I saw the game. ”

Jathan shook his head. “Let me see your phone.”

Quince pulled it from his pocket without question. He unlocked it before passing it along.

Jathan pulled up his contacts and added his information. “I’m adding my number. Next time, text me before the game.” He passed it back.

Their fingers brushed. Their gazes held.

It was always like this. Quince was the foreman at Jathan’s best friend’s ranch.

Since Jathan spent a lot of time with Artem, he ran across Quince just as often.

Truthfully, he deliberately stepped into his path every chance he got.

The guy was solid muscle. Wide chest and cut jaw.

He should be on the cover of those rugged cowboy romance books.

Jathan was all the way into him, but he honestly had no clue if the guy had any interest in men. He fit the straight stereotype.

“What are you doing for the rest of the night?”

Quince toyed with his phone, shifting it from one hand to the other. “Nothing, really.”

“I’m parked on the players’ level in the garage. Section D. Meet me at my car. Let’s go do something.”

Quince gave him a nod. “Sounds good.”

He turned, as if trying to figure out how to get there.

Jathan touched his bicep to get his attention. The hard muscle beneath his hand nearly took him out. He pointed toward a nearby door. “Go through there. That’s the players’ tunnel. There’s an elevator to the right. It’ll take you straight to the garage. It only goes to one floor.”

Quince’s beautiful eyes focused on him again. “Thanks. See you in a few.”

Jathan nodded while trying to hold on to his pride. “See you.”

He watched the perfect ass in form-fitting jeans every step he took to the door. Damn. He was breathtaking. Jathan had no idea where they would go. He still couldn’t get there fast enough.

Since Jathan was often at the ranch, Quince spotted Jathan’s Hummer immediately.

Even if Jathan hadn’t told him this was the players’ garage, Quince would have known it.

The multimillion-dollar cars lining the garage were the first giveaway.

The second was when various players began pouring from the elevator.

Quince leaned against the passenger side door of Jathan’s car and tried to look as if he belonged.

That also meant he couldn’t show his ass, asking for selfies and autographs.

He simply nodded as some of the most famous names in modern-day basketball walked past him.

Finally, the third wave of players included Jathan. Quince automatically smiled at the sight of him. He always caught himself wearing a huge grin when Jathan was around.

Jathan stumbled over nothing as he switched his bag from one hand to the other. He glanced behind him as if trying to figure out what had grabbed his foot. Quince couldn’t stop smiling. It was just his big-ass feet and lanky body. He was like a giraffe. When he looked up, he caught Quince staring.

Quince dipped his chin in greeting—like they hadn’t seen each other already tonight.

“Sorry it took so long. There’re always after game interviews and whatnot. I didn’t think about that when I asked you to wait, but I’m glad I did.”

The doors of his SUV unlocked.

Jathan motioned toward it. “Get in.”

Quince didn’t even question where they were going.

He didn’t care. He was probably one of Jathan’s biggest fans.

Of course, he would drop dead before he said that.

Quince wasn’t that guy. He was a country boy all the way to his heart.

Quince had grown up on a ranch and he would die on one.

This was just some sort of crazy slice out of time.

He didn’t imagine people like Jathan kept friends like him.

He put on his seatbelt while Jathan dumped his bag on the backseat. He watched as he climbed behind the wheel. Even the large vehicle seemed small for his long legs. Quince wasn’t short. In fact, he was six-six and used to hovering over everyone. Jathan was still taller.

“Where are we headed?”

Jathan laughed at the question. “Honestly, I hoped you had an idea. I’m kind of boring.”

Like always, Jathan had him smiling. “What are you talking about? I barely leave the ranch. How would I know what to do?”

Jathan’s wide grin made him look like a guy who was just nice as hell, and he was. That was what Quince couldn’t get over. “Damn. Um, have you eaten?”

Quince shook his head. “I’d planned to grab something on the way home.”

“Good.” Jathan pulled from the parking spot he was backed into. “I’m starved.”

“I’ll bet after that game.”

Jathan cocked his head and looked thoughtful. “Truthfully, I don’t think I was as good as I could’ve been tonight. We won, but I can’t start slipping now.”

“Congratulations on that win, by the way. I think you did great.” A thought occurred to him. “I’m surprised you’re not out with your teammates, celebrating.”

“I’m gay.”

That wasn’t a surprise to Quince. He had obsessively researched everything about Jathan, and Jathan’s best friend was gay. That didn’t necessarily mean anything. Still, Quince knew that already.

Thankfully, Jathan kept talking and spared him from responding.

“It shouldn’t matter, and it doesn’t matter when we’re on the court.

But no one wants to be seen with me in any other setting.

Not really. That might make people think they’re gay too and God forbid, right?

” Jathan laughed. It was an awkward sound—like he expected the worst from Quince now.

Even though Jathan watched the road, Quince shrugged. “Their loss, then. Where would you like to eat?”

“Oh.” Jathan laughed again. He was hilariously artless. It was like he didn’t know he was a household name. “I really just started driving with no plan.”

He had to know. “Where would you have gone if I hadn’t said anything?”

Jathan glanced around, as if he had no clue where he was. “My house probably. That’s where muscle memory had me headed.”

Quince shrugged. “I’d say, let’s just do that, then. We can grab something through a drive-thru. But you’re used to people not wanting to be seen with you. You should get to go out and celebrate properly. What would you be doing right now if you were included?”

“Everyone always goes to Area 9 to party. It’s this really pretentious nightclub.

Honestly, unless that’s what you’d prefer to do, I’m not big on that sort of thing.

I can’t dance. I don’t drink.” He looked thoughtful for a moment.

“You know, it’s possible that’s why no one really invites me to things.

” A bark of laughter burst from him. “Oh, well. How about Steakhouse 7?”

That place was super expensive. Quince never went there for that reason. He could afford it. Tip paid him well, but he just couldn’t convince himself to pay over a hundred dollars for one meal.

“I’m paying, by the way,” Jathan tacked on.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I asked you to do something. That means I pay. Now, you’re not a vegetarian or anything, right? If so, I can pick something different.” He sounded unsure—like maybe he insulted Quince with the idea of eating meat.

“Nah. Steakhouse 7 is great.”

Jathan flashed him a goofy smile that did something to Quince’s chest. He already didn’t want the night to end.