Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Today wasn’t much better because rather than trying to figure out said issue, I was in the locker room after practice, trying to figure out the best excuse to get Garrett—I couldn’t bring myself to call him McRae—to give me Houston’s cell number. A reason that didn’t scream obsessed old boyfriend who might stalk his brother.
“You did good out there,” Ramsey said. He had a towel wrapped around his waist and was drying his hair with another. I could tell he was the kind of guy who took his role as QB and team captain seriously. From all I’d heard, he was a stand-up guy, and I was looking forward to working with him. He would be the complete opposite of Paine, who I’d fucking hated in Cincinnati.
“I always do good out there,” I replied, and he rolled his eyes.
“I’ve known you like five minutes, and I can already tell you’re a lot like G.”
I figured Houston would hate that, considering he liked to have his dick in my ass. The last thing someone wanted to hear was the guy they were fucking was just like their brother—used to fuck. The guy they used to fuck. My brain was already getting twisted.
I shrugged. “I never tell a lie.” I playfully crossed my heart with my finger. “You guys are good, but something was missing. That something was me. You’re welcome.”
Just as I finished speaking, Garrett stepped up. “I like him!” Garrett said.
“Jesus Christ,” Ramsey muttered, but I ignored that, focusing on Garrett.
Okay, so I maybe felt a little something twitch in my chest at what he’d said. It was just because I would have loved hearing that from Houston’s little brother when we were together—preferably if he had known we were dating and he said it in that “I like your boyfriend” kind of way.
Fuck me. My brain was already turning into mush. I needed to nip this shit in the bud.
“I’m a likeable guy. I think your brother needs more likeable guys in his life. Think I can get his number from you?” I asked.
“No,” Ramsey said in unison with Garrett’s, “Sure.”
Ramsey looked at him. “You shouldn’t give people other people’s numbers.”
“It’s Atwood, not a random stranger. Plus, Houston is gonna let him stay in the spare room.”
Ramsey frowned. So, I know I was admiring him earlier, but that feeling was fading just a bit because he didn’t seem to be on my side here.
Garrett gave me Houston’s number, which I put into my phone and then took Garrett’s as well. We started getting dressed, Garrett rambling on and Ramsey watching me like he didn’t trust me. I couldn’t say I wasn’t familiar with that questioning stare because sometimes, I was kinda a dick, but it made my skin prickle even more because it was Houston’s best friend, and holy shit, did he know? Had Houston told him about us?
“Sound good?” Garrett asked, making me realize he’d been talking to me while I eyed his boyfriend.
“Hmm?”
“I said I wasn’t kidding about the hanging-out thing. It’d be cool to chill with an old friend of Houston’s. He keeps to himself too much, even more after the injury.”
That made my heart stumble, getting more scuffed up. I hated the idea of Houston being lonely. He couldn’t be, could he? Why would he let that happen? He was fucking perfect. Everyone loved him. It was annoying as shit.
“Yeah, I’d like that.” Houston would hate it, so it would never happen, just like moving in with him wouldn’t, but Garrett didn’t need to know any of that yet.
“I’d offer to hang right now, but football gets me horny, so I’m gonna take Ramsey home and let him score on me.”
I barked out a laugh just as Ramsey and Tucker, who had come up to Ramsey at some point, each let out a groan. I could tell I was going to like it here. Garrett seemed cool, and practice had gone pretty fucking incredible. The team and I had chemistry already. That probably wasn’t a smart thing for me to feel. It wouldn’t last. It never did.
“They do this all the time,” Tucker said.
“Says the guy who has my boyfriend’s hand all up in his ass?” Garrett replied, and Tucker blanched. I couldn’t say Garrett was wrong. Since Tucker was the center, he hiked the ball to Ramsey, and his hand was very much all up in Tucker’s ass during the game.
Ramsey and Garrett started to wrestle around, everyone in the locker room groaning, random comments like “here we go again” filling the space. It was so interesting getting to know Houston’s brother. All I knew about him were things Houston used to tell me when we were together. He used to worry a lot about Garrett, but that was in Houston’s nature. He wanted to take care of people he loved.