Chapter Eleven
The two weeks between media day and Kuba’s big fight moved painfully slow.
Diesel kept doing his job, and Kuba never looked his way.
Not that he saw much of the guy. The worst part was sleeping together each night, knowing Kuba was right there and incapable of touching him.
He had tried moving his things to the first room he had been assigned.
The moment he turned his back, everything he had moved was back in Kuba’s bedroom.
Diesel had even tried sleeping in a different room no matter where his clothes were.
He had woken up with Kuba next to him anyhow.
Four days in, Diesel had given in and just stayed in Kuba’s bedroom.
It wasn’t as if Diesel was any less miserable anywhere else.
He didn’t even get peace at his mom’s place.
She just asked a million questions about Kuba, never realizing they were through.
No matter how Diesel looked at things, he couldn’t figure out what the hell had happened.
At first, he had thought Kuba was cheating with Jayme, considering that Jayme was gay, coupled with his reaction.
The more he thought about that theory, the less realistic it felt.
Jayme wasn’t a shy guy. There were no heated glances between them.
In fact, Kuba treated Jayme like the employee he was.
While Jayme came and went as he pleased and they seemed like they knew each other well, Kuba was always professional.
Diesel might not have noticed that detail if Kuba hadn’t treated Diesel so vastly different from Jayme from day one.
In fact, not a single theory he could muster made sense.
All he knew was the way Kuba had looked at him after Jayme stormed out.
His eyes had told Diesel everything and nothing at all.
The one detail that had been clear, though, was that they were over.
Unfortunately, that meant he had to make a plan.
Kuba’s big fight was in eight hours. He would need to be at the arena in three, but Timber would fetch him when he was ready.
Apparently, there was a lot of pre-fight bullshit Kuba had to do, and there was no reason for Diesel to be there.
Thanks to Kuba needing a full crew tonight to keep the crowd at bay, Diesel didn’t need to go right away.
Every free Seattle guard was already setting things up.
Diesel needed some time alone to decompress.
He sipped coffee alone in the same spot where Kuba found him that first night he was back in town.
The sun beat down on him. With his sunglasses on, he could people-watch without shame.
He wished his mind would clear. Once this fight ended, Diesel would go.
Kuba wouldn’t require his services any longer.
Truth was, Kuba had never needed him. He saw that plain as day now.
Kuba had kept him for the exact reason too many clients to name had tried to keep him.
They wanted a live-in whore. Diesel massaged his chest. This had been a new trick he hadn’t seen coming.
Now he would likely be sent back to California. He used to love this job. Not anymore.
“Hey. I thought that was you.” Sandy stood over him out of uniform, looking relaxed and holding a cup of coffee.
Diesel smiled. He didn’t mean it. “Hey.” Damn. Why did he sound so happy? It was crazy how used to faking joy he was.
Sandy motioned toward the empty spot beside him. “Is this seat taken?”
Diesel scooted over hair. “It’s totally free.” Why had he said it like that? Like he meant he was free too. He was, but goddamn. Diesel’s soul hurt.
Sandy was all smiles as he filled the empty space. “I’m sorry we never got that drink.”
“Not true. Coffee is a drink, and we’re having that right now.”
Sandy laughed. His dark blue eyes sparkled like he was a happy guy.
Diesel realized he didn’t want to focus on himself any longer. He leaned back and gave Sandy his full attention. “Seriously, though. How has life treated you?”
Sandy shrugged. “Can’t complain. What about you?” Sandy held his stare over the rim of his cup as he sipped his coffee. There was an undertone, but Diesel couldn’t decide what it was.
“Better than I deserve.”
“I had lunch at Sam’s Sports Bar and caught that interview with you during the coverage of tonight’s match.”
Oh, there it was. The press had really taken the news of Kuba being gay and ran with it. That small tidbit had overshadowed the entire championship match. “Yeah. A lot of people did.” Diesel didn’t know what else to say.
Apparently, that wasn’t good enough. “I also saw you helping Kuba train. You were great. You really held your own.”
Diesel’s tensed shoulders didn’t relax. “Not really. When Kuba spars with me, it’s truly just training. He’s not trying to hurt me. Sparring just gives him an active way of practicing his moves. It’s not about besting me.”
Sandy never stopped smiling. “Still, you were really impressive. You’ve definitely gone above and beyond as a guard.”
Jesus. He couldn’t do this any longer. Diesel hated games with a passion.
“Yes, I’m gay, if that’s what you’re driving at.
I’ve never spent a single day in the closet, so I’m not really sure why everyone acts so surprised.
Of course, I know why you didn’t know. You never said two words to me in school.
Did you get the info you came for?” Diesel didn’t sound vicious.
His tone highlighted how he really felt—tired.
“Not really. Is it true you two are a couple?”
Wow. This guy. “No. Not anymore. Not after all the bad press.” Really, not even before word spread, but he wasn’t about to explain the worst moment of his life—the moment they broke.
“Good. That means you’re free to have dinner with me.”
Diesel blinked and then blinked again.
Sandy laughed. When he lit up, he was twice as gorgeous.
Of course, Diesel had realized that in high school.
He just couldn’t believe the guy’s charm still got to him.
“You should see your face right now. Yes, I’m asking you on a date.
Yes, I’m gay. It just took me a lot longer to accept that truth plus a lot of destroying my life. ”
The tension drained from Diesel. Sandy looked too open and honest for Diesel to deny anything. He looked like someone Diesel could talk to. Diesel shook his head. “Wow. That’s an admission.”
Another laugh burst from Sandy. “I guess it is. What about that dinner? Don’t take this the wrong way, but you look like someone who could use someone to talk to.”
He wasn’t wrong. “As much as I’d love to take you up on that, I still have to be at the fight tonight.
But seriously, you have no idea. Teenage me would have died if you ever looked my way.
” Diesel realized he was smiling. For a moment, he seriously considered blowing off the fight. He was under contract.
“You can’t be serious. I was so cringy and obnoxious.”
“You were funny. That’s one of my favorite traits. You looked like you were a lot of fun to hang out with. I wasn’t a part of your crowd, so…”
“It’s easier to be funny than it is to be real.”
That confession sounded like it came from a place of pain—a place where only a good therapist could reach.
A black SUV with tinted windows pulled up to the curb. The door opened and Timber stepped out. “It’s time to roll.”
Diesel’s gaze slid Sandy’s way. “Raincheck?”
His bright smile never dimmed. “Absolutely.”
Diesel winked and stood. He nodded at Timber as he climbed inside. Timber was right behind him. They rode in silence for a good ten minutes before Timber obviously couldn’t take it anymore.
“Who was that? He looked kind of familiar.”
“Sandy Peterson. We went to high school together.”
Timber nodded. “I’m not from around here, so it’s not that.”
A chuckle sneaked from Diesel. “He’s a cop.”
Timber snapped his fingers. He focused on Diesel with way too much excitement.
“That’s it. He arrested me for interfering in a case once while I was just doing my job.
Steel lost his shit. Only time I’ve ever seen Steel be anything other than calm and collected.
They let me go with no charges, but fuck.
I was hot. I was ready to throw down if that’s what he wanted. What an asshole.”
Diesel laughed. He couldn’t help it. Timber’s response had been so visceral. “I get it. We do what we have to do to get the job done.”
Quiet filled the car again.
Once again, Timber broke it. Diesel had noticed that about him.
The guy did not like silence. “I guess that’s sort of you tonight.
Doing what you have to, I mean. I can’t imagine you want to work while your man is fighting.
Of course, then again, you’ll probably be closer to the cage than any of the seats are. ”
He didn’t want to go at all. Diesel didn’t know how to say Kuba wasn’t his any longer.
It was one thing to give a simple yes or no when Sandy had asked.
This was different. Diesel had to say the actual words, and he couldn’t.
If he did, this nightmare would be real, and Diesel didn’t know how to face that.