The End Zone (Atlanta Lightning 2)

“How did you do that?” Darren said simultaneously with Anson’s, “How did he do that?”

“Hey, thanks for the vote of confidence, guys,” I joked.

“Do you remember that time my friend beat you at a football game?” West grinned in support. “Also, Darren beat Anson, so it’s almost like Jeremy beat you both.”

“That makes no sense,” Anson replied.

“I want a rematch,” Darren added.

“Sure, whatever it takes to make you feel better.” I sat back down.

As West and Anson teased each other like they always did, doing their own thing, Darren scooted closer and nudged me with his arm. “Good game,” he said softly. He stayed right where he was, and I felt the heat of him, the feel of his skin on mine, elbow to elbow. My stomach got fluttery, which was ridiculous.

“I’m very good at a lot of things…” Maybe it was a little playful, but in that moment I didn’t care. Yep, I told you I’m good at blowjobs, and now I’m insinuating it again.

Darren’s eyes darted toward Anson and West, then to the TV. “Are you flirting with me?” Again, his words were so quiet, they were only for me.

“Maybe…but not if you didn’t want me to be.”

I could only see his profile, but his cheeks moved, making it obvious he was smiling. “Nothin’ wrong with flirting.” I watched him for a moment while he pushed buttons on the controller, getting the game ready again. “Still can’t make sense of it, but you got me feeling some kinda somethin’.”

He had me feeling some kinda somethin’ too.

Chapter Twelve

Darren

I redeemed myself, winning the second round of football. Afterward, we turned it off and just hung out for a while. Jeremy had gotten a drink, then sat in a chair instead of beside me. Whether he was speaking or not, my gaze kept finding him. He had a light dusting of blond stubble along his jaw, something he didn’t always have, and his hair was so bright, a mess of blond curls that bounced around when he moved.

He and West teased each other more than Anson and I did. They meant a lot to each other, that much was clear, and I wondered if it was hard for him, keeping the extent of our friendship from West. Sure, they knew we’d gotten closer, but I hadn’t told Anson that I talked to Jeremy every day. That most of the time, I ended the night with his being the last voice I heard or his words the last I saw on my phone screen.

They ordered food, and we had a quick dinner. There was no reason for me to be there. Jeremy was visiting West, and I had my own home not far away, but I didn’t leave. Hell, I’d only come because I knew Jeremy would be there and I’d…wanted to see him. Wanted to be around him.

It was about eight when Jeremy said, “I’m beat. I should order a car and head to my hotel.”

“I’ll drive you,” West and I said at the same time. I shrugged. “Makes more sense for me to do it since I have to go home anyway.”

“I don’t mind. I can get a service,” Jeremy replied. Did he not want me to take him to his hotel?

“I don’t mind either. Plus, then you can ride in the Aston.”

“Good point. It’d be even better if you let me drive it again.” Jeremy fluttered his eyelashes playfully.

“You let him drive your car? You don’t let anyone drive your car. Fuck, I’ve never driven your car.”

Panic flashed in Jeremy’s blue gaze. I tried to tell him with my shrug that it didn’t matter. “It was the only way I could get him to toilet paper the house with me.” I looked at Anson. “Also, you can buy your own.”

“So can he.” With his thumb, he pointed at Jeremy. Oh yeah. I forgot.

“I had to beg and plead,” Jeremy lied. “Seriously, though. I’m exhausted.”

I refused to look at Anson, worried he would see something in my gaze. I didn’t know what was there because I hadn’t sorted through my shit myself, but I knew there would be something.

We headed outside. Jeremy grabbed his bag out of West’s car, we said our goodbyes, Jeremy and West making plans for the next day, and then we were alone in my vehicle. “Where are you staying?” He gave me the address, and I entered it into my phone navigation.

When I drove off, he said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that.”

“It’s fine. You’re my friend. You drove my car. It’s not a big deal.”

“Anson hasn’t even driven it.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve never jacked off on the phone with Anson either.” Heat flooded my face. I’d never been insecure about sex in my life. “Shit. I didn’t mean to bring that up. I told myself I wouldn’t.”