Blindsided (Fake Boyfriend 4)

The paranoia makes my ears burn and my chest tighten.

I don’t know how this stranger could possibly know for sure, but it’s a feeling I can’t shake. So much so Maddox kicks my ass at pool when I’m usually the kicker of asses.

“Another game?” he asks.

I smile, but it’s tight. “Actually, I might go grab a drink.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

MILLER

When Talon approaches, his skin pale, I have no idea what the fuck happened. He nods in the direction of the entrance of the bar, and I follow him out.

The cold night air hits us, and I shiver because I didn’t pick up my jacket.

I shove my hands in my pockets of my jeans. “What’s wrong?”

“Does Maddox … did you tell Maddox? About …” He glances around the street, but no one’s paying us attention. We’re right near a subway station, so it’s busy, but everyone’s going about their own business. “Us.”

“I told him about me, but I never mentioned you specifically. I said my straight best friend kissed me but didn’t give specifics.”

“That Maddox guy? Not dumb. He knows.”

“Oh.” I don’t know how I feel about that. “What’d he say?”

“Nothing.”

“Then how—”

Talon’s face is red, but I don’t know if it’s because he’s angry, embarrassed, or just cold from the frigid air.

“Don’t ask me how I know. I just do. It’s obvious in the way he stares at me. All smug and knowing and shit.”

I try not to smile. “Annoying, isn’t it?”

Talon cocks his head at me, and I realize now’s not the time to joke.

“And are you freaking out that he knows or that it could get out? I don’t know him very well, but I trust him. Jackson trusts him.”

Talon still seems unsure, so I take my phone out of my pocket and text Maddox.

He appears moments later with both our jackets.

I can’t get mine on fast enough. “Thank fuck. I’m freezing my nuts off.”

“What’s up?” Maddox asks. “Is this about you two fucking around, because you’re not exactly being subtle about it.”

Talon’s mouth drops open.

“He blurts things,” I explain. “It’s normal.”

“But I was right. He knows.” Talon’s still uneasy.

“We’re not telling anyone,” I say to Maddox. “We’re, uh, trying to figure this whole thing out.”

“Figuring it out is the fun part.” Maddox winks.

Talon and I don’t respond. If anything, Talon tenses more.

“Too soon?” When we don’t reply, Maddox nods. “Too soon. Got it. Uh, I’m gonna go back inside. Just know I haven’t said anything to anyone about Miller, not even Damon, so please don’t freak out about me knowing too much. You guys are rich and could totally afford a hitman to take me out.” His face falls. “Oh, God, I’m giving you ideas.”

Talon finally smiles and lets out a little laugh. “I do all my contract killing myself.”

I sigh. “Figures you two would get along.”

“Anyway,” Maddox says. “Offer to talk is there if you guys need it. Otherwise, I’m gonna pretend I know nothing. Knowing nothing is my specialty … wait … did I just call myself dumb?” Before we can answer, he shrugs. “Eh. Oh well. See you guys back in there.”

He turns on his heel and heads back into the bar.

Talon sinks against the rough brick of the building.

“I think we can trust him,” I say.

He shakes his head. “It’s not that. It’s …” He sighs. “Is this what it’s like? What it’s going to always be like?” Talon searches the street again as if paranoid people can hear or that we’ll be recognized. The only thing that could hear us is random patches of melting snow.

“What is it always going to be like?” I ask.

“When I realized Maddox knew, it was like the ground could crumble underneath me if I said the wrong thing, and I froze up.”

I can see it written all over his face. It’s the freak-out I expected him to have months ago when we started FaceTiming each other and then again when we began fooling around in person. Only, he’s not so much freaking out about us being together but the rest of the world and how they’re going to react if they find out. If it was just us and our families, it wouldn’t be a problem, but we’re not just anyone. We’re both public figures—Talon more so than me—but if either of us was outed, it has an impact. On us, on the league, on the fans, but most importantly, on Jackson.

“My life is splashed all over the tabloids enough as it is,” Talon says. “What if this all comes out, and then those women we’ve been with come forward? What if you’re thrust into the spotlight, Jackson’s shit is dredged up again … Everything flashed through my mind in a split second.”

I take a deep breath, because what I have to say probably isn’t what he wants to hear. “During college, every time I hooked up with someone, I was self-conscious about it getting out, about them telling everyone. I was constantly looking over my shoulder, and then when I made the NFL, I was terrified one of my hookups was going to come forward, but they didn’t.”