Chapter Two
Ash
The stadium was already packed when I made my way past the ticket stand and into the seating area.
The ticket Rider had given me seated me near the court, which was awfully thoughtful of him.
Sure, I would still be seated around a bunch of people, but it wouldn’t be nearly as bad as being in the middle of the stands.
And I also would be closer to the action, allowing me a better view of Rider as he played.
And I loved watching Rider as he ran across the court.
When he had the ball in his hands, he was a master.
A pro. A god on the court. He definitely had the ability to play in the NBA, but I knew he didn’t want to.
He was focusing on finishing his degree and becoming a veterinarian so he could work with animals.
A man after my own heart, truly. He could chase millions and had decided on a drastic pay cut instead just to still chase what really mattered to him.
I found my seat and scanned the court. I’d gotten there at the last second to avoid the crowds that usually lingered throughout the stadium, so the players were already about to make their way out onto the court.
And as soon as Rider did, his eyes scanned the crowd, and when they landed on me, they brightened.
He grinned, lifting his hand in a wave. With a blush staining my cheeks—because now everyone was looking at me—I waved back at him, then quickly tucked my hands beneath my thighs.
Rider had pulled his blonde hair back from his face, the longer pieces tied back into a bun.
His nearly olive-toned skin almost glowed under the somewhat golden lights of the arena.
Tall and slim, Rider nearly had the perfect physique to play basketball, which was proven every single time he managed to score points for the team, even while surrounded by the other team’s players.
The game kicked off, and my eyes tracked every move Rider made as he raced back and forth across the court, passing the ball to his teammates, catching it back, and scoring points.
But the other team was just as good as ours, making the score stay evenly matched throughout almost the entire game.
By the time the last few seconds rolled around, I was on the edge of my seat, my legs bouncing as I watched Rider race toward the hoop once more.
And literally right before the buzzer sounded, announcing the end of the game, Rider dropped the ball in the net, scoring the team an additional two points, which officially put us in the lead and made us the winners.
I jumped to my feet with the rest of the crowd, clapping and cheering.
Rider turned away from the scoreboard with a grin, doing some complicated hand thing with a couple of his teammates before he turned toward the crowd, his gaze laser-focused on me.
My cheeks warmed under his attention, and I sucked in a sharp breath when he began jogging across the court to me.
Without a care in the world, he pushed his way through the crowd, climbing across people’s seats until he reached me.
And then, he was kissing me. His hands cupped my cheeks with so much care and tenderness, my heart squeezed, then lodged itself in my throat.
I was frozen. I had no idea what the fuck had gotten into him, but almost as soon as the kiss started, it was over, and then, his coach was shouting his name, demanding he get his ass back on the court.
He ran his eyes over my face, a frown tugging at his lips as he tried to figure me out, but then, his coach yelled for him again, and he sighed and turned, making his way back down the bleachers and onto the court once more without a word to me.
And that was when I noticed the Jumbotron—the Jumbotron that had a fucking replay of Rider kissing me.
Sweat prickled along the back of my neck, and my heart began hammering so fast in my chest, for a moment, it made me lightheaded. I could feel the panic attack coming on, which meant I needed to get the fuck out—and fast.
I stumbled through the crowd and finally pushed my way out of the doors, sucking in deep lungfuls of the cool autumn air, my heart in my throat.
Reaching up, I shoved my fingers through my dark hair, my hands shaking.
Wrapping my arms around my midsection, I quickly made my way to the sidewalk, just wanting to get home and lock myself in my room until I managed to sort through what the fuck just happened between me and Rider.
Why had my roommate and best friend kissed me in front of not only thousands of fans within the arena but also every fucking person viewing from home? I’d always been in love with Rider, but I was sure there’d always been a line there I couldn’t cross.
Had I been wrong all along?
The front door opened so fast, it almost put a dent into the wall.
I swung around, staring at Rider with wide eyes.
He was still in his basketball uniform, not even having bothered to shower and change like he normally would, which meant he’d also skipped out on his post-game interview, something his coaches would rip him a new asshole for at the next practice.
I’d walked in the door a mere minute ago, only having managed to get my shoes off. I hadn’t even made it to my bedroom yet, which meant I hadn’t had time to think.
“We need to talk,” Rider said, dropping his bag by the door and shutting the front door behind him. “You’re not running from this, Ash.”
“How did you get home so fast?” I demanded, my palms already beginning to sweat. I wasn’t sure if I could deal with this right now.
“Took off as soon as we were allowed in the locker rooms,” he told me. “You ran out of there like a bat out of hell.” He toed his shoes off, his eyes remaining locked on me, like he knew the moment he turned his gaze away from mine, I’d take off running for my room and lock him out.
“You kissed me,” I hissed. “In front of everyone watching, might I add.”
He nodded, his jaw locked tight. “I did,” he confirmed.
“And I don’t fucking regret it.” My heart flipped in my chest. “I’ve been in love with you for weeks now, Ash.
How the fuck could I not be? You’re perfect.
” My heart was beating so fast, it hurt.
He took a step closer to me, and when I didn’t budge, he wrapped his long fingers around my upper arms, dipping his head so our eyes remained locked.
“Being gay in the sports world is one thing, Rider, but I’m trans, and people aren’t nearly as open about that—” I started, but he cut me off, appearing frustrated for a moment before he shoved that emotion down, just like he always did when it came to me.
He shook his head. “No. Don’t do that. You’ve never been insecure about who you are, Ash.
Don’t start now, you hear me? You are all I want.
I love every fucking piece of you, baby.
I don’t give a fuck what the homophobic mother fuckers have to say about us being together.
You’re perfect the fucking way you are.”
My lips trembled, tears burning in my eyes. It was all I’d ever wanted, but I knew how harsh people could be to and about trans individuals. I didn’t want Rider exposed to that just because he wanted to date me.
“People are cruel, Rider, and you’re too good for all that.”
He shook his head. “If someone has something to say about you, baby, they have me to contend with. I just… I shouldn’t have kissed you at the game.
I know that. But I was riding high on the win, and you were right there.
” A crooked smile tilted his lips. “I’m impulsive, and sometimes, I’m not all that rational.
I know that.” I snorted, though it was weak.
“But I know I want you. I want this. I can’t keep sharing this apartment with you and still manage to keep everything I feel bottled up inside.
” He swallowed thickly, his Adam’s apple bobbing.
“Be with me, Ash. Please. Don’t worry about the rest of the world. What do you want?”
I sucked in a shuddering breath and licked my lips. “You don’t care that I’m trans?” I asked. I knew we’d lived together for weeks now and he’d never seemed to care, but dating a trans man and just rooming with one were two drastically different territories.
“I don’t give a fuck what you do or don’t have in your pants, baby. I will love and adore every single piece of you, you hear me?” He rested his forehead on mine. “So, what do you say? Be mine?”
A laugh bubbled from my chest. “Valentine’s day is tomorrow. How fucking corny of you, Rider.”
He grinned. “What can I say? I’m a fucking romantic.”
I snorted a laugh, then leaned in, tentatively kissing him. He groaned, his fingers tightening on my upper arms as he quickly deepened the kiss. “Does this mean what I think it does?” he rasped against my lips.
I nodded, our noses brushing. “Yeah,” I said softly. “Let’s give this a go, Rider. I’m head over heels for you, too.”
He groaned and gripped the back of my thighs, lifting me. I squeaked and wrapped my arms and legs around him, but then, no other thoughts were needed because Rider was kissing me again.