Page 20 of Hard Count
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.”
