The End Zone (Atlanta Lightning 2)

I didn’t really know why it mattered if Jeremy was there, other than I wanted to offer to help if he needed it.

I parked, went inside the building, and headed straight for the front desk. “Hi, I’m—”

“Darren Edwards, quarterback for the Atlanta Lightning. Two-time Super Bowl champion, also two-time MVP, and…holy shit, holy shit, holy shit.”

A smile stretched across my face. Not gonna lie, that shit never got old.

My gaze went to the nametag—Mikey, He/They/Them. That was new for me, checking someone’s pronouns. It didn’t take a lot of work, and I didn’t know why some people freaked out about it. “Hey, Mikey. Nice to meet you.” He must be new there. I hadn’t seen him before.

“I heard you come by sometimes. I mean, we see Anson all the time and that’s crazy, but now you too. I know I don’t look like a football fan, but…”

He was small-boned and had nail polish on. “You look like one to me.” I shrugged. “Anyone can be a football fan.”

Mikey grinned.

Then fanned himself.

“You’re going to make him even more conceited than he already is,” I heard, and looked over to see Jeremy leaning in the doorway behind the desk, arms crossed. He wore slacks and a white button-up shirt, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Jeremy was the definition of a summer day—his curly hair was the color of the sun, and his eyes rivaled the sky; they were maybe the bluest I’d ever seen. Not that I went around checking out people’s eyes, especially a guy’s, but I couldn’t help noticing his.

“I’m no such thing,” I teased. “You should all tell me how hot I am to help raise my low self-esteem.”

Mikey laughed. Jeremy rolled his eyes, but a smile curled his lips.

“Is there something you wanted?” Jeremy asked.

“You.” The second the word left my mouth, I realized what I’d said. My face heated, which was really fucking unlike me. I didn’t blush. Well, I blushed, but I didn’t get embarrassed like that. Jeremy didn’t move other than to cock a brow. “You know what I meant.”

“That you want me, yes. I’m confused, though. I thought you were straight…”

“Ha, ha. Here I am, trying to be helpful, and you’re busting my balls.”

“We’re talking about your balls now?” Jeremy laid a hand over his heart. “I’m flattered, Darren, but I only see you as a friend.”

“Um…I sort of feel like I’m a voyeur about to see something I’m not supposed to see,” Mikey said.

Jeremy stiffened, worry suddenly creasing his brow. “Sorry. I flirt for fun. Probably not appropriate in this setting or with a straight guy. My bad.”

His eyes felt like they probed me, which…well, after our ass conversation the other day, that likely wasn’t the best word to use. But his stare was intense, like he was trying to look inside me and make sure he hadn’t overstepped. I waved off his concern. “You’re fine.”

“You left yourself open for another one,” Mikey said.

“Are you two ganging up on me now?” I asked.

“You make it so easy.” Jeremy nodded toward the hallway. “Come on.” I followed him into West’s office. “Sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”

“Dude, I asked you what it was like to have a dick up your ass. I think we’re good.” Mark down everything that happened with Jeremy since the wedding as stuff I never thought I’d say.

“Good point. Still, you know, sometimes straight guys are okay with something one moment and not the next.”

I frowned as he sat down. “No, I don’t know. What do you mean?”

“Oh, just like…I could be giving you a little head because ‘that’s not gay,’ and then you’d pretend you don’t know me when your friends are around.”

Shit. That sucked. It wasn’t something I would have thought about. “I wouldn’t do that. I’d never deny getting my dick sucked. I don’t care which one of my friends is around.”

My response earned a laugh from Jeremy, which I appreciated. I’d hoped he’d enjoy the joking angle. I didn’t want to seem like I was making light of his situation.

“Good to know.” As I sat across from him, he continued, “Is there something I can help you with?”

Now I felt stupid for being there. I wasn’t sure why. “Just thought I’d see how things were going…if you needed any help around here for anything…how you’re doing.”

Jeremy cocked his brows, watching me for a moment as if surprised. “You’re sweet. I’m okay, though. I told you, it was time with me and Bobby. It’s what I needed. We texted just a little while ago. We’re good.”

“Still has to be hard. You ended your marriage. That can never be easy.”

“Have you ever been married?” he asked, not in a sarcastic way, but as if truly interested.

“Oh, God no.”

“Why doesn’t that surprise me?”

“Are you judging me, JereBear?”

“Okay, bye. Good to see you again!”