Patrick reached into his pocket, and pulled out a small blue box. “This is for you. I picked it up today.”
Shock ran through me. “What is it?”
“Maybe you should open it.” He held it out. “Go ahead. It won’t bite.”
I took the box from him, hesitating only a second before opening it. Hanging off a silver chain was an anchor. “Last night when you called me your anchor, I started to think about how I’d never really felt at home anywhere. No roots to keep me grounded. Until here. With you.”
I picked it up by the chain, and it dangled in front of me. “It’s beautiful.”
His smile was sweet. “Can I put it on you?”
“Yes, please.” I pulled my hair off my neck and waited for his warm hands to touch my skin. Soft lips kissed the spot where the clasp rested. “Turn around and let me see.”
Touched he’d remembered what I said, I traced the curve of cool metal with my finger. “I love it. And you.”
His hand rested on top of mine, and he grinned. “Your heart’s pounding so fast.”
“Better to fall in love with you all over again.” I smirked, and he pulled me closer.
“You’re sure it’s going to be all right?”
I kissed his cheek. “I promise.”
**
Inside the crowded restaurant, I spotted Dev and Brody at a table in the far corner. Carbone was one of those upscale but casual places where million-dollar deals were celebrated alongside a couple’s twenty-fifth anniversary party. The hostess led us to them, and Dev and Brody hugged me while giving Patrick handshakes.
“I asked them for their most private table since we’re having a personal conversation,” Dev explained. His penetrating gaze searched me up and down, coming to rest on my necklace. I’d worn an open-collar dress shirt, figuring Dev would comment, and he didn’t disappoint. “That’s new.” He tipped his head toward me. “The necklace.”
Instinctively, my fingers touched the heavy piece of silver. “It is. Patrick gave it to me.”
“That’s nice.” Dev’s words didn’t thaw the chill in his eyes. “Maybe Patrick would like to start with why he lied to me when we talked in California.”
Brody nudged Dev’s shoulder. “Server’s comin’.” We all turned quiet and waited.
The server took our drink order and left. Under the table, I gave Patrick’s thigh a squeeze for support.
“Look, Dev,” Patrick began. “I didn’t lie. We talked around the subject. Plus, you can’t think I’d come out to you, or anyone for that matter, fresh off the field after a game with a million eyes on us. Anyone could be listening, recording. But also, I had to talk to Fallon first, make sure he was all right with it.” He clasped his hands. “I know you understand what it’s like to have to hide who you are. I’ve lived with being bisexual for so long, it’s second nature to keep quiet about it. When Fallon and I first gottogether in college, we were kids. It was our first time, and I fell for him.”
Dev opened his mouth, but I rushed in. “Let Patrick have his say, please. You’ll have your chance to speak.”
Dev nodded and remained quiet.
Taking the opportunity, Patrick took a sip of his drink. “I know what you’re gonna say.You didn’t know who he was. You never even saw his face, so how could you love him?You know what I say to that? So fucking what? I fell for his heart and who he is as a person. I would think that made our connection more real because it didn’t matter to me what he looked like. I’ve never met anyone so innately good, caring, and thoughtful. He makes me feel like I’m the only man in the world, and I want to be better. For him.”
“That sounds familiar, don’t you think?” Brody nudged Dev, who hadn’t taken his eyes off Patrick. “I kinda remember you sayin’ that about me.”
My lips twitched.
“You know how much I hate it when you throw my words back in my face,” Dev grumbled, and Brody didn’t even try to hide his laughter, cackling out loud.
“I know. That’s why I love doing it.”
Unused to their banter, Patrick turned to me. “Is he still mad?”
Dev, of course, didn’t allow me to answer. “I was never mad. I’m concerned. I know how hot the spotlight shines on you now. I’m thinking of the future—for both of you. You’ve been to the Super Bowl once already, so you know how intense it gets. Now you’re in New York, where the media coverage always ramps up to the nth degree. That picture they took of you shoppingthe other day? Man, you won’t be able to take a piss without worrying if a camera’s on you.”
“All kidding aside, Dev’s right,” Brody said. “You’ll be hounded everywhere. Especially you, with your reputation.”
