Chapter Nine Los Angeles
The brand team spared no expense for the lavish launch party.
The rooftop bar overlooked downtown Los Angeles, glass railings catching the glow of the city while a playlist rolled through the speakers; Luther Vandross’ Never Too Much, the hook was so familiar it had become its own guest in the room.
A who’s who of the league and show business gathered near the bar. Media executives hovered near the screens, league officials pretended to mingle casually while clocking who talked to whom.
Insufferable influencers filled the rest of the space. People who had never watched a football game in their lives, but suddenly cared very much about quarterbacks in designer underwear and stuffed lions.
They were all there for the same reason, the underwear campaign.
Large digital screens looped the photos. Piper Ashton and Noah Reyes, inches apart, eyes locked, glistening chests and arms. The images rotated at an intense pace. The garish font blasted the text, ASHTON VS. REYES: BEASTS IN brIEFS
The internet had already decided the photos were a cultural event. Gay social media adopted them within hours. TikTok edits spread fast, set to songs that made the rivalry look like something closer to a love story, which Piper had clocked from the jump.
Vivienne Cross watched the room from the bar. Carmen Vale stood beside her, sipping champagne.
“Bitch, you’re enjoying this a little too much,” Carmen said as she tried to quickly swallow a caviar dumpling.
“My middle name is too much,” Vivienne replied.
“Viv, you love attention like a streetwalker when rent’s due.”
Vivienne didn’t even blink. “Girl, are the checks clearing?”
Carmen smiled. “Fair enough. I will give you your flowers.”
Vivienne glanced at the screens again. Noah leaning forward and Piper not moving away.
“Two rival quarterbacks in expensive underwear,” she said. “This was always going to work.”
Carmen tilted her head. “Tell me honestly. Do you think they hate each other?”
Vivienne studied the photo a second longer than necessary. “The photographs say no.”
Carmen raised an eyebrow. “They’re giving, my first engagement photoshoot. Just with less clothing.”
Vivienne smiled faintly. “Oh, this is going to get interesting.”
***
Across the rooftop, Noah Reyes was pretending to listen to a marketing executive run his mouth about brand synergy.
The man had been talking long enough that Noah had stopped pretending to follow and was staring blankly into the crowd. He noticed that there was commotion at the door.
Because Piper Ashton had walked in late which he rarely did.
The room noticed. Piper wore a black Kiton suit cut close to the body.
Clean lines, nearly painted on, showcasing his muscular figure.
Vivienne only let him attend these events wearing a statement, and today it was a twenty thousand dollar suit.
She made him buy it last time they were in Manhattan at Piper's favorite store, Bergdorf Goodman.
Noah could not stop staring, and experienced a rare feeling, nerves.
He knew only one thing, he wanted that man.
Noah knew what he looked like when that control slipped.
Their eyes met across the room.
Piper looked away first and Noah smiled.
“Excuse me,” Noah said.
The executive stopped speaking for a moment.
“Of course.”
Noah walked away before the man could continue.
Piper felt Noah approaching before he saw him coming.
“Enjoying the party?” Noah asked.
“These things are my Kryptonite.”
Piper picked up a glass of champagne from a passing tray. “I’m here to support the campaign,” he continued.
“You sound thrilled.”
“I am fucking bored, and can’t handle speaking with one more blow hard about whether I am doing Aspen after Christmas.” Piper smirked.
Noah leaned against the bar beside him, close enough that Piper could feel the warmth coming off him.
“You know what the internet thinks about these photos?” Noah asked.
Piper kept his eyes forward.
“Yes.”
“Which part?”
“The part where we became fucking gay icons.”
Noah laughed quietly.
“That’s a polite way to put it.”
Piper took a slow sip.
“You seem comfortable with it.”
“I’m comfortable with attention.”
“That’s not surprising.”
Noah studied him. “You look tense, more than usual.”
“I’m not.”
“You definitely are.”
“You’re a very observant asshole.”
“I’m a quarterback.”
“An arrogant one.”
“Confidence and arrogance are not the same thing.” Noah remembered what his dad told him when he was younger, Always enter a room like you belong there.
The music shifted. Ain’t No Way by Aretha Franklin filled the rooftop.
“You keep staring at the exit,” Noah said.
“I like knowing where the exits are,” Piper replied with frustration, but seemed to be enjoying the sparring match.
“That’s not why. You’re wondering if what happened in that bathroom was a mistake,” Noah said.
Piper turned slowly. “You’re very cocky,” he said, because his voice wasn’t as steady as he wanted.
“I’m very curious.”
“That’s dangerous.”
“I’ve heard that before.”
Neither of them looked away. The moment stretched longer than either of them expected. Long enough to make the air feel heavier.
“You don’t seem worried,” Piper said.
“About what?”
“Consequences.”
Noah shrugged. “I play football for a living.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
“Feels similar.”
Piper watched him carefully.
“You’re reckless.”
Noah smiled. “You noticed.”
Noah reached past him for a glass of champagne, his arm brushing lightly against Piper’s chest. The contact lasted less than a second, but the sexual tension did not.
***
Across the rooftop, Carmen nudged Vivienne. “The boys found each other.”
“They’re flirting.” Vivienne took a slow sip.
“I don’t ask questions.” Carmen smiled.
***
Back at the bar, Noah leaned closer. “You’re doing it again.”
“Doing what?”
“Pretending you’re not interested.”
Piper laughed quietly. “You’re being unbelievably fucking extra right now.”
“I feel like I’m occasionally correct sometimes.” Noah stepped closer. Close enough that Piper could feel him again.
“You walked into that bathroom,” Noah said.
“Yes.”
“You locked the door.”
“Yes.”
Noah started talking under his breath so nobody at the party could hear the conversation.
“You didn’t leave.”
Piper held his gaze. “No.”
Noah smiled slowly. “That’s what I thought.”
Piper stepped away. “I should go.”
“Of course you should.”
Noah paused before adding, quietly, “I leave for Seattle tomorrow. I’m at the Four Seasons.”
He had nothing to add. He didn’t need to.
Piper stopped. “You’re assuming a lot.”
“I’m remembering a bathroom.” Noah smirked.
Piper held his gaze longer than he meant to. “We can’t be doing this.”
Noah smiled. “Sure we can.”
“Irish goodbye?” Piper said as he walked toward the elevators.
“I’ll stay behind in case anyone thinks it’s odd we are leaving at the same time,” Noah replied.
***
The hallway beside the elevator bank was quiet as the music faded behind Piper. His reflection stared back from the mirror. The elevator opened and he stepped inside.
The bathroom replayed in his mind. The door locking and the realization that he hadn’t pulled away.
He hated chaos. He hated the part of him that kept walking toward it.
The elevator reached the lobby. His screen lit again. Room 1179.
Piper stared at the message. Then he walked toward the valet.
He headed for the Four Seasons. The consequences of this decision raced through his head, but escaped him at that very moment, because all he wanted was Noah Reyes.
Joan, this is another bad fucking idea.