“Thank you for asking, but I’m going to have to pass tonight.” Think, think, think. It shouldn’t have been this hard for me to come up with a quick story. “I’m, um…seeing someone,” I stuttered.

Houston’s head whipped my direction like he couldn’t believe I’d said it. He was right. I probably should have come up with a lie. Now there would be speculation and rumors about whom I was dating. People would look into my life even more, unless I got lucky enough and the women didn’t talk.

“My knee is acting up,” Houston said. Tucker’s stare shot between the two of us, but when all three women gave him their attention, he was effectively distracted.

“Shall we, ladies?” Tucker said, and they seemed to be down for all three of them to dance with him. They grabbed him and tugged him to the dance floor.

“Ramsey.”

“I know. I should have come up with a better excuse.”

“You like him, don’t you? Like him, like him.”

“It’s just sex,” I lied because that was the easiest thing to do. It was hard to admit I went and caught feelings, especially to Garrett’s brother. Though I guessed that wasn’t as bad as talking about fucking him.

“Gross. Can we not?”

“What? Talk about how hot you know who is in the sack?” I teased, and he gave me the finger.

“You like him,” Houston said again, and I knew he wouldn’t let this go.

“It’s fucked up, right? I can’t believe this happened. I don’t know what he did to me, but it’s a mess. I’m a mess. This shit doesn’t happen to me, but now it has, and it’s all his fault.”

Houston was clearly trying to fight laughter…and failed when it burst through his lips.

“Shut up. I hate you.”

“It’s so weird to hear you talk about anyone like this, but this is my little brother. The world has gone mad.”

“No, not the world. Just me.” I ran a hand through my hair. “I’m freaking the fuck out. We’re NFL players, on the same team, in a league where they pretend to be open but there’s still plenty of homophobia. You know me, Houston. I don’t want to deal with that shit. I don’t want my career turned into gossip or anything other than how I play the game. I’m not ready, and now with Coach finding out—”

“Wait. What? You didn’t tell me that. What happened?”

I relayed the conversation, and he sat there, staring at me with his mouth hanging open. “Are you broken or what?”

“You offered to be traded so you can keep being boyfriends with my brother?”

Oh…shit. I was usually better at this. “We’re not boyfriends. And don’t tell him that part. It’ll piss him off I told Coach that. He’ll feel guilty.”

“Who are you, and what did you do with Warner Ramsey?”

“I’ve been asking myself that question for weeks.” Catching feelings messed with a guy’s head.

“Like before, I can’t lie and pretend I’m not worried. You’re not ready to come out, and you should never be pushed; plus, doing this is a risk for both of you…”

“I know that. You think I don’t know that?” This whole situation was a fucking disaster waiting to happen, but the craziest part was, I’d keep doing it. As long as Garrett was game, I would keep it up, making sure I was the one who suffered the consequences.

“Wow…you’re going to marry my baby brother.”

“No I’m not.”

“And have his babies.”

“Ha-ha.”

“You’ll adopt a bunch of them, fill that big-ass house of yours, buy a minivan with stick figures on the back windshield.”

“I hate you,” I reiterated, but Houston just laughed.

“Sorry not sorry. I have to give you shit. What’s family for?” We shared a laugh before I fell back against the booth and closed my eyes. “Whatever you need, Ramsey. I’ve always got your back. We’ll figure it out.”

I turned and looked at him. “Thank you. Please don’t tell Garrett about any of this. I don’t even know if he feels the same.”

“I’m pretty sure Garrett’s wanted a minivan and ten kids with you for years.”

That shouldn’t have made me smile—I didn’t even want children—but it did.

We hung out for a bit longer, and when I was ready to head home, I sent a text to Tucker to let him know we were leaving. Houston bailed first, and I was outside waiting for my ride when Tucker sneaked up beside me, smelling like whiskey and putting an arm around me. With his mouth close to my ear, he whispered, “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone.”

“Huh?”

“About you and McRae. I don’t know how I didn’t see it before. He’s bi, and you guys have been close for years.” Wait…for years? “I saw the way he looked at you in there when you admitted being in a relationship. I’m happy for you guys. You didn’t have to hide being bi from me. No shame in the game. I fucked around with a few guys in college.”

Tags: Riley Hart Playing for Keeps Romance
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