Page 75 of Bone Deep
Hell, I never even watched football before, but now that the season’s started, I’m glued to the screen every week, tracking number nineteen as he prowls the field, those pants molded to his body like a second skin.
It’s become a filthy little ritual. Sometimes I even wander down to the sports bar a few blocks over from my condo, order a scotch, and settle in for the show. When bar patrons start talking about “the caked-up quarterback,” I just watch, barely containing my smirk. Because that ass? Right now, it’s mine. Mine to play with, squeeze, bite, and fuck whenever I want. And for the past two months, “whenever I want” is often.
We’ve done it everywhere. Public bathrooms, the shower, the kitchen, the elevator. I can’t keep my hands off him. Off that ass. At least, I tell myself, I haven’t broken my rules. No kissing. No sleepovers. No feelings. Keep it physical, keep it simple. He still drives me nuts—but now there’s benefits.
A loud bang snaps me out of my thoughts just in time to see Jen barreling into my office, the door slamming against the wall behind her. She really has a problem with doors.
Waving a huge legal-sized envelope in the air, she announces, “It’s time for us to sign with the boys!” she announces, eyes wild and triumphant.
I suppress a smirk. “I’ll meet you down there,” I say, already shuffling papers on my desk, buying myself a second.
She grins and is gone before my sentence finishes, boots echoing down the corridor.
Anthony and Chance’s offices are on the first floor of the new agency building, along with legal and the space where the youth center will exist when we obtain all the appropriate licenses. It didn’t take me long to decide to make the move with Jen. Everything checked out when I performed due diligence, and the opportunity to make a difference was too great to pass up. Besides, if things didn’t work out, I know the partners at BSF would welcome me back. In fact, that’s exactly what they told Jen and I when we notified them of our departure.
We moved in a couple weeks ago. Dita and Parker came with us, splitting their talents between the agency and the foundation. They’re both eager to learn about sports talent management and equally passionate about providing resources for queer youth. Tyler is coming out of his skin to get started as well. It will soon be two years since he came into my life, and he’s come so far. I’m glad all three of them will get the opportunity to see how it feels to give back.
It’s a chore, however, keeping Parker on a leash around all the athletes, Anthony and especially Chance, who has taken an active role as chief operating officer. He’s heavily involved in almost every aspect of the entire operation. He still paints, but he’s found a real passion for running the day-to-day, which allows Anthony and Meg to focus on the athletes.
Speaking of athletes. Ryan will want to be here.
Me:Are you downtown? The boys are going to sign now.
Dimples:Oh shit! On my way!
Me:K
Dimples:It’s been 3 days, Perfect. I expect some dicktonight.
I shake my head, cock twitching. Great, now I have to walk down the hall with a semi.
When I reach Anthony’s executive suite, Jen is already outside his office door. I breeze past her and go inside. His office is completely decked out. Chance’s art is on the walls alongside a couple framed records, and signed sports memorabilia from his clients over the years fill the shelves.
Lexi arrives, then Chance, who crouches down for a final check-in with Anthony before they take this step. The surrogacy paperwork is a small mountain, but the energy in the room is buzzing, contagious. Jen tears open the envelope theatrically and distributes pens.
Just as Anthony and Chance are about to sign their copies of the surrogacy paperwork, Ryan comes sliding into the office, a little breathless, hair askew, cheeks flushed from the rush. And fuck me, he’s wearing painted on jeans, an equally tight black tee, and no surprise… a backward ballcap. Jesus.
Why does this man have to be so infuriatingly hot.
“Did I miss it?” he pants.
I roll my eyes and he throws me a wink.
Anthony, Chance, Jen, and Lexi get back to signing so I can do my part—notarizing. When my last signature is done, the group falls silent for half a second.
Anthony just holds onto Chance’s hand like he might float away. “We’re going to need a bigger boat,” Anthony whispers, voice cracking.
Chance leans in, kissing the corner of Anthony’s mouth. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t give you.”
“Aww, bros.” Ryan says, “You guys are goals. I want all—” he waves a hand vaguely at them “that.”
My chest spasms and I panic, eyes watching Ryan, wondering if he’s asking me for something I don’t know how to give. His gaze locks stubbornly on mine.
“Okay, well,” I say, voice choked, “I’m gonna go put these in my office—”
“No,” Ryan cuts me off, grabbing my arm firmly as I’m moving to escape.
I freeze. “Let go of me,Ryan,” I grit out, teeth clenched.
