“Nothing,” Rupert said. “I was just getting to know Aiden a little bit.” He offered Macio a saccharine-sweet smile before he turned his focus back on me. His countenance shifted from ally to enemy in a heartbeat. His eyes just dared me to open my mouth and tell Macio what he’d said.
I ignored him and focused my attention on the gorgeous man I wanted to share my life with. If Rupert thought he could scare me off, then he had another thing coming. I’d figure out what to do about him later, in the meantime, I sent him a look that said he could kiss my lily-white ass.
There was a chill to the room when I walked back in, something had transpired between Aiden and Rupert, but neither man said anything when I asked. So, all I could do was let it go… for now. I did want to reiterate to Rupert that I wasn’t going to give Aiden up, so I made a show of kissing him on his forehead, something Rupert had never seen me do with anyone else. He needed to know I was serious about this relationship.
“Rupert, I appreciate you checking in on me, but I only have a few more hours in this hotel room. I’d like to spend them with Aiden without you hovering,” I said.
Rupert’s body seemed to grow a little stiff, as if what I’d said insulted him in some way. On one hand, I felt bad. I didn’t want to hurt his feelings. He’d been looking out for me, helping my career grow and keeping my secret. On the other hand, who the fuck did he think he was to come barging in on me in my private hotel room? So, he was just going to have to have hurt feelings today.
“It’s fine. I’ll leave you two alone, but we do need to talk. With last night’s win, that garnered you more business ventures, kid. I want to go over them with you today,” he said.
I smiled and nodded. “Sounds good. How about later this afternoon?”
“One?”
I had to check out of the hotel at twelve, so yeah, I guessed that was fine. “Sure. I’ll call you.”
Rupert nodded and gave another concerned look toward Aiden, then left. He may have said that he’d help keep my secret… he really had no choice, but there was something in his expression when he looked at Aiden that told me he didn’t approve. I was sure he wasn’t going to be the only one not on board with this risky business I had going on. Barry would no doubt voice his objections when I had to tell him. If I wanted to keep my relationship private, then he was going to have to know about it too.
That was a concern for another time. Right now, I was lost in the perfect blues of my sexy boyfriend.God, boyfriend. Is this really happening?I had no idea when or if I’d ever be able to use the term of endearment. I actually felt giddy inside, which was an odd emotion for someone like me who could break slabs of bricks with my elbows. That was what Aiden did for me. He smoothed out my rough edges and let me be open. Not even with the escorts I’d fucked in the past had I felt open to be gay. I could truly be myself in every sense of the word around Aiden. The fighter, the lover, and the man.
“Are you okay?” Aiden asked, sliding his hand across the table, covering mine in a comforting gesture.
I turned my hand around, taking his hand in mine. “I’m happy, Aiden. I…” my voice trailed off and I had to find it again in order to finish my thought. “When I’m with you, I feel this sense of freedom that I’d never felt before. You make me happy. I’m not a poet, and sometimes I struggle with saying the right words. All I can do is tell you honestly how I feel. I want you more than I’ve wanted anyone in my life.”
I watched as his throat grew tight as if he were struggling not to cry and that just made me want him more. To know that my words, as simple as they were, meant that much to him made me feel like a billion fucking dollars. I was just glad that I followed my heart and not someone else’s advice and pursued him. I didn’t want to think about this relationship not working out. Stranger things have happened, and maybe Aiden and I will defy all the odds and maybe we won’t. I’d never know if I didn’t hold on to him with everything I’ve got, and my grip was tight.
“I’m happy too, Macio,” Aiden said, grinning. “I love that you speak your heart, and that’s what you’re always going to get from me.” He leaned over, I met him halfway, and our lips touched in another hungry kiss.
I pulled back, smiling. “Let’s finish our breakfast.”
He nodded and we ate our meal. He left before I did, as not to arouse any suspicion. The moment when Aiden left my sight, I felt a pain in my heart at the instant loneliness. I sucked it up because it was something I was going to have to deal with. I pulled myself together, packed up my shit and left the hotel room, checking out. I put my luggage with bag claim and met Rupert in a restaurant three blocks away.
He was sitting in a booth and the host led me to his table where I slid in opposite him. “You know, we could have met in the hotel lobby.”
“I’m hungry and the food here is better,” Rupert stated.
“I’m not.”
His nostrils flared a bit when I said that. “I’m sure you enjoyed your meal this morning,” he commented. “You should at least have something to drink.”
When the waiter stepped up to our table, I ordered a tall glass of water. He nodded, took Rupert’s order, then left. “Okay, so what’s going on with this new business you mentioned?”
“Before we get into that, I’m going to have to express my concern for what you’re doing,” he whispered.
I took a quick look around the place. It wasn’t overly crowded, but I didn’t feel comfortable discussing my relationship with Aiden in a public place. Rupert should know this. I looked at him. “Now is not the time.”
He huffed, then sat back. “Fine. You’re right, you’re right. But we really do need to discuss this, Macio. I didn’t want to get into it at the hotel in front of your guest, but—well, we’ll talk,” he said.
“Fine, but my decision isn’t going to change. Just know that,” I warned him.
He held his hands up in surrender. “I’m going to move on for now. I got a call from Jackson Jock Spray and MaxPower energy drink. They both want you as their spokesman. We’re talking a combined one-point-four million-dollar endorsement deal, kid.”
I sat back in the booth, thinking about what he was telling me. I had to make the right decision on this. I knew from other athletes that not every endorsement deal tossed your way was a good one. I had to protect my brand and not be everyone’s whore just because I was the undisputed champ. I had my pride, damn it. And not only that, I didn’t want to be pulled from all ends by these companies either. They controlled a huge portion of your life because they were paying you to be their billboard. Which meant I’d have to stop drinking Gatorade and only drink MaxPower.
This was a big deal decision. I couldn’t be hasty. “I’m not sure about that, Rupert.”
“What is it that you’re not sure about, kid?” he asked, eyebrows furrowed.
