“It’s a host’s job to meet hisguest where they’re at. And as a personal assistant, I’ve developed a knack forintuiting people’s needs.”
It appears I was right about thatmeek attitude being little more than an act. He needs to stop talking to me likethis because the more we chat, the harder I’m getting.
The door to the locker room opensand a parade of guys in pads, jerseys, and helmets floods out.
Tad high-fives Darren and pats meaggressively on the shoulder before heading off to practice.
“Guess we’d better get out there,”I say, more than a little disappointed that I couldn’t spend more time withDarren. Unfortunately, even though it’s highly unlikely the person threateningTad will try anything during practice, we’re both officially on the clock, soit’d be best if we acted like it.
Four
Tad
Fucking son of a bitch thinks he’s going to babysit myass.
I slide into the back of my car,still just wearing my sweats and a pair of flip-flops. Don’t see a reason toget all dressed up when I plan on getting back to the hotel and crashing forthe night. Drills were a bitch, and my body hurts like fucking hell.
Darren pulls my Chinese out of abrown bag and hands me a box of rice. This is my biggest indulgence during theseason, and Darren’s already done the calculations to make sure it meets mydaily caloric and nutritional needs. Now’s not the time to slack off.
Bryce sits on the other side,opposite me. I wonder if Darren told him I prefer it that way or if Bryce justassumed that he needed to sit on the same side as Darren.
As Darren hands me my General Tsochicken, I can feel Bryce’s judgment, even though he’s wearing shades. Hethinks I’m this big baby for having someone dispense my food to me on my wayback to the hotel. He thinks I’m this spoiled fuck who’s going to be a pain inhis side, and I don’t have any intention of proving him wrong.
I mix the chicken and rice before scarfingdown my meal.
Bryce sits there, stoic. Like astatue. A jagged white scar on his left cheek makes me wonder about his historywith the FBI.
“How about you not stare at mewhile I eat?” I ask as I chew.
He turns and looks out the window.
I can’t wait until Grant, theprivate investigator I use for pretty much everyone I’ve ever employed, givesme the deets on this guy. I called him as soon as I got Bryce’s name. I want toknow everything. If he had an embarrassing name in elementary school. If allthe girls he fucked thought he had a tiny dick. Anything I can use against him.Anything I can use to get under his skin.
As I finish up one box of rice,Darren pulls another from the bag and drops it on the floor.
“I’ve got it,” Bryce says, leaningdown and picking it up. As he hands it to Darren, I see the look of desire inDarren’s eyes.
I know that look.
He likes this guy, and as theygaze at each other for a few moments too long, I suspect Bryce is more intoguys than I considered. Now I’m really curious. I bet I could fuck him. Won’thave to worry about this guy ordering me around if I have him wrapped around mylittle finger.
When Darren finishes setting me upwith my dinner, Bryce pulls out his phone and plays around with it.
Darren glares at it. “When was thelast time you updated your phone?”
“I know,” Bryce says. “I’ve been meaningto do that for a while.”
“You mind?” Darren asks, holdingout his hand.
Bryce surrenders the phone, whichDarren works on. While Darren starts updating his cell, Darren raids Bryce’smusic library, and they discover their mutual appreciation of Kate Bush and theB-52s. They’re still laughing and chatting about music as we walk down the hallto my room. I’ve been on my phone, acting too busy to be interested, thoughI’ve been paying attention to every movement Bryce makes. Trying to get a feelfor him. Trying to gauge what I’d need to do to get him. And along with that,I’m imagining fucking the shit out of him.
I feel bad. I should throw Darrena bone since I can tell he’s interested in the guy, but hell, I can have himfor a fucking night and bending over backwards for me before I know it. ThenDarren can do whatever he wants with him. Won’t bother me at all.
Five
Bryce
Darren’s lips curl into his dimple as he offers a lopsidedsmile. I just want to tuck the baby into bed and then see if maybe we can takethings back to Darren’s room.
