Chapter Ten
Adrian
I knew this was going to happen.
The charade wasn’t going to work.
Not because Rip couldn’t fake it. He was the perfect pretend boyfriend.
The problem was me. I was enjoying myself way too much. I didn’t have to fake it.
Our lunch was…fun. I knew Rip was trying to put me at ease, and he succeeded.
I started out tense, believing everyone in the restaurant was wondering what a gorgeous man like Ripley Tremaine, the superstar hockey player, was doing with a nobody like me, but at some point I forgot all that and simply enjoyed our conversation.
He didn’t treat me like that tagalong kid anymore.
Rip paid the bill and took my hand, holding it tight. “Time to go to my place to pick up my luggage and get to the airport.”
“I can’t. I’ve got to get stuff together for Bryan for the evening sports segment.”
When we walked outside on Broadway, a car pulled up. Rip slid an arm around my waist. I froze, and he leaned close to whisper, lips touching my ear, “I guess we’ll say good-bye here.”
As it had been the other night, having him in close proximity set my heart pounding. My breath came in short pants. “Okay. Have a great trip.”
A wicked grin tipped up his lips. “Try to miss me a little.” He ran his nose across my cheek, resting his mouth on the edge of mine. “I’ll call you.”
Shaking in his arms, I could only nod, and his eyes glowed fire.
“You’re really gorgeous, Adrian. I hope you know I’m not pretending when I say it.”
Were those words real or to build up my confidence? Rob and Louie would say it didn’t matter. Go with the flow and use it to my advantage. I put a smile on my lips.
“Sure. And you’re pretty amazing yourself.
” Over Rip’s shoulder I spied a cameraman and curious people with their phones out.
“People are taking our picture.” He nuzzled my neck, and turned-on as I was, I still had questions.
“How did they know we’d be here? They don’t just hang out, looking for people, do they? ”
“I might’ve called someone to come and get a few shots of us. The pictures will push the ratings for my appearance on your show.”
A bit of my joy dissipated, knowing this was truly a pretense, yet having Rip’s hard, muscular body pressed to mine left me a quivering ball of need.
I clung to his broad shoulders. “Th-thank you. For everything.” My grip on his jacket grew tighter, and I swayed closer, but he released me and stepped away.
Eyes glittering, his fingers trailed along my cheek.
“Adrian…I have to go.”
Without another word, he climbed into the waiting car and was gone. A chilly wind blew, and I put my head down and walked toward the subway to return to the office.
Rob had been happy with the interview and ecstatic at Rip’s revelation of our relationship. “Gonna be great for ratings. You didn’t do half bad.” Not exactly the most ringing endorsement, but better than him saying you sucked.
At the office, I met with Bryan. I’d come in early to go through the schedule and choose the clips for the early news.
He was going to the Hoops game later, and I’d made sure to have all the stats he’d need for the eleven o’clock show.
When we were finished, Bryan directed his best-buddy, chummy grin at me.
“Heard you had good interviews with that show you’re doing.”
My smile was faint. “Yeah. It went okay.” I rose from my chair.
“So. You and Ripley Tremaine, huh? He’s a great player.”
Maybe he was trying to be friendly, but my head wasn’t into it, nor was I about to confide in someone I barely knew, who considered me nothing more than his gofer.
“He is. I’d better get going. I’ve got some phone calls to return and stats to gather for you.
I’ll make sure production has all the clips ready, and I’ll go over your script for the six o’clock news. ”
He let me escape, and I sank into the chair behind my desk in my office.
I checked my voice mail, and there were emails from strange men, some wanting my number, some wanting to know what Rip was like in bed…
in vivid detail. A few tried to attach pictures, but our anti-porn software blocked them.
I deleted them, but the fact that this attention was solely from those social-media posts proved Rip was correct.
Linking us together was getting me noticed, only not in the best way.
I took a moment and wondered what Rip was doing. Had he gotten on the plane? Should I call him, or would that seem weird since we were faking it?
The phone on my desk rang.
“Newsroom, Adrian Hunt speaking.”
“Mr. Hunt, this is Jay Monroe from Out in Sports. I was wondering if you had time to meet me today for an interview. I know it’s short notice, but I’m hoping you can fit me in.”
“Out in Sports?”
Why would they be calling… Oh. The Ripley Tremaine effect.
“I’m pretty tied up for the rest of the day, but—”
“Well, I was thinking more like after-work drinks? With Rip away, maybe you have some free time?”
“Uh…I guess.” Alone, and yet my face still burned, knowing people thought Rip and I were together. Intimate. Heat flushed through me.
If only…
“Good. You’re in Brooklyn too, right? How about Barbalu on Bergen St.? They have nice wine and cocktails.”
I’d never been, but then again, I’d never been anywhere. In the time I’d been back, I hadn’t had a date or made any attempt at being social. Work had my complete focus. “Sure. I get off around six.”
“Say, seven? I’ll make the reservation and meet you there.”
“Okay. See you there.”
I hung up and debated for a moment before texting Rip.
Someone from Out in Sports called, and we’re meeting for a drink. What should I say?
I didn’t expect him to answer immediately, so I dove into my pile of work, arranging Bryan’s schedule and checking with the film crew about the clips for the evening news.
My phone vibrated, and I hoped it was Rip, but instead Neil’s name flashed across the screen.
I squeezed my eyes shut for a second. I knew what was coming, and I could only avoid it for so long.
“Hey. How’s it going? I’m busy, so it’ll have to be quick.”
“Getting a little bossy, are we?”
“Ha-ha. But seriously, I’ve got stuff to do with Louie out, and I’m still learning and finding my way.”
“Yeah? What way is that? To Rip’s apartment?”
My jaw clenched. “I’m not discussing my personal life with you.”
“Adrian, come on. Just listen to me for a minute.”
“Do I have a choice?” I shot back but huffed out a sigh and relented. “Fine. What is it?”
As if I didn’t know.
“I’m all for you dating and having fun. You’re in the business, so I expect you to meet public figures.”
“Gee, thanks for the approval I wasn’t asking for.”
Either Neil hadn’t picked up on my sarcasm or he’d chosen to ignore me—most likely the second as he was always in big-brother protection mode.
“There’s nothing wrong with you having fun with athletes, although I wasn’t aware you liked the jock type.”
I’d been away for over six years, and while I loved my brother and never doubted he loved me, we weren’t close. And Neil certainly wasn’t someone I’d confide my most secret desire to.
“Well, now you know,” I answered lightly. “I’m a single gay man enjoying life in the big city.”
“But Rip—”
“Is my business. Please, Neil. Don’t go there.”
His hmph of dissatisfaction filled my ear. “I don’t want you getting hurt, but I’ll respect your wishes. Let’s talk business. How did the interview show go?”
Was I surprised he’d already heard of my new project? Not at all. “It went fine. I think Rob was happy.”
“Oh, he was. Called me and said, ‘Your little brother knows the score.’ What’d he mean by that?”
“Not a clue,” I hedged, anxious to change the subject. “I’ve got to come up with some names for my next show, and Rip said we’ll be on a podcast…The Huddle?”
“With Dev and Brody? Nice. They’re good people and have a huge following. It’ll certainly be good publicity for your show. That’s great, Adrian. You’re covering all the bases and really jumping into this with everything you’ve got. Great work.”
“Thanks.” While his approval warmed me, it wasn’t my hard work. It was all Rip. “I’d better go. I’ve got lots to do.”
“Wait. Adrian.” Neil sounded hesitant. “I want to apologize to you.”
“What for?”
“I know we’ve never been close, and that’s on me. I’m older, and I should’ve paid you more attention.”
My cheeks burned with humiliation. “I’m not your responsibility. Then or now.”
“I know that. And I’m not saying it out of obligation.
I love you, and not because I have to. I’m proud you’ve worked so hard to accomplish your dreams. And before you say I helped you get this job, so fucking what?
You’re my brother, and I’d do anything for you.
It’s a hard world. Everyone needs help.”
“You didn’t,” I whispered, overcome by this confession from Neil, whom I always believed to be the ultimate corporate man and rarely showed emotion, outside of his wife and kids.
He snorted. “Let me set you straight. Lisa’s dad knew the head of the station and got me an interview after I graduated. Rob hired me, and yeah, it all worked out, and I got this job on my merit, but if you think I didn’t have help initially, you’re wrong.”
Stunned, I rubbed my face. “I-I didn’t know.”
He chuckled. “Not exactly something I broadcast. Look, you’ve picked a tough, competitive world to work in. But I don’t want you to ever think you don’t have my support. You do. I’ll always be there for you. I love you.”
I brushed the wetness from my eyes. “Thanks. I love you too.”
“I think you’ll knock it out of the park. Think of this as a stepping stone toward your ultimate goal. Give it all you’ve got to make it succeed.”
“I’m trying, but it’s not that easy. I’m doing things I never imagined.”
“Wait a sec. Is that why you and Rip are dating?”