The End Zone (Atlanta Lightning 2)

West sighed. “Be careful, Jere. I…”

“I know.” West didn’t have to finish for me to know what he was thinking. Outside of Anson, I was the closest person to him. He loved me, and when West gave someone his love, he was all in. It would be hard on him if it was Darren who hurt me.

The game ended a few minutes later. Darren and Anson were talking to the group as they made their way over to us. The others went inside, while Darren and Anson waited with us.

“You’re a mess,” I said, nodding toward him.

“I know. It was fun, though. Christ, I thought my heart was going to explode when Megan got a touchdown. Did you see how happy she was?”

“I did.”

“That’s such a great feeling,” he said, then glanced away as if embarrassed.

“You two wanna come over?” Anson asked. “We can order dinner.”

Darren’s gaze found mine, and while I wanted to, I didn’t think it was a good idea. “No, thank you. I’m going to head to my hotel, I think.”

Darren frowned. “I can take you.”

“I’m a big boy. I can get there on my own.” I winked so he knew we were okay.

Maybe I should call Larsen and change my mind about the date. It might be better that way—show Darren I was moving on so we didn’t have to worry about this…whatever it was between us.

But the truth was, I didn’t want to go out with Larsen. I wanted Darren to take me back to my room…and stay.

“I know, but what are friends for?”

Ugh. I wanted to say yes. I didn’t want to take a car service when my option was him.

“Fine, whatever. This obsession with me is gonna have to simmer down some. I might need a restraining order.”

“You do realize you’re the only person in the world who wouldn’t want Darren Edwards to drive them home,” he teased.

“I wouldn’t,” Anson joked.

“Me either,” West added.

“Fuck you both. Fuck you very much,” Darren replied.

The center had people on staff twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, so we didn’t need to lock up anything except West’s office. He checked out—they knew to call if they needed anything—and then we went our separate ways in the parking lot.

Darren hadn’t driven the Aston, but a BMW instead, and as I got in, I said, “West is curious. He thinks something’s up.” It was an awkward conversation to have, but Darren needed to know.

“Yeah, I think Anson does too. He hasn’t said anything yet, but I’m sure he will. It’s hard because…well, I don’t know what it is that they can see.”

“Right?” I laughed.

When we got to my hotel, I knew the smart thing to do would be to tell him goodbye, but fuck, I didn’t want to. Not that I thought anything would happen; I didn’t. We’d be friends hanging out, but my poor little gay heart just fell for him more every time I saw him. “Wanna come in? We can grab dinner in the hotel restaurant. Shit. I forgot we’re such a mess.”

“I have clothes in a bag in the back. I keep some in here.”

Which meant he would be in my room. He would need to change there…possibly shower. I swallowed around the lump in my throat. “Okay.”

We gave my room number to the valet. Darren took his bag and handed the keys over.

We were quiet as we rode the elevator up to my room. When we got there, I said, “You can shower if you want.”

“I kinda want to make a joke about getting me naked, but I’m worried I’ll make things uncomfortable.”

“You still mentioned it, which means things are uncomfortable.”

He chuckled. “I guess I didn’t think that all the way through.”

“Go clean up. You stink.”

He clutched his chest playfully. “You’re breaking my heart here. I do not stink.”

He didn’t, but still, I didn’t tell him that. “If you don’t, I’ll go first.”

“Fine, I’m going, I’m going.”

It was definitely awkward knowing Darren was naked in my bathroom. I heard noises, the water, something fall on the counter. I paced the room, telling myself this wasn’t a big deal. It was just like West or any other friend being in the room with me. Darren was no different.

Eventually he came out, wearing Lightning sweats and a tee. Likely not the best clothes to go to the restaurant in. The valet hadn’t seemed to recognize him but showing up downstairs like that would be a dead giveaway.

“You don’t like my clothes or what?”

“I didn’t say that. I’m just thinking you’re gonna get recognized in a heartbeat.”

“Shit. Yeah. Probably. Most of the time I don’t mind, but I’m not in the mood to deal with people. Do you mind if we just get room service?”

“That’s fine. We can order now, and then I’ll go clean up.”