With zero recognition in those heavy-lidded, blue-green eyes, Patrick gave me that trademark blinding smile and held out his hand. “Nice to meet you, Fallon.”
Chapter Two
Patrick
Damn, Fallon’s a hottie. Just my type, too. All that blond hair and big, blue eyes. Mmm-mmm.
Endorphins flooded me. It had been a long time. Way too long. Not that I hadn’t wanted it. I had no problem getting it up for the ladies, but there was something about a hot guy…
Rein it in, Trick. You’re not at your club, and he looks…sweet.
I studied Fallon as he took my hand. Something about him…I couldn’t place it, but he seemed familiar. Maybe it was his eyes. I did love me pretty, big blue ones.
Dev and I had been friendly when he’d played in the NFL. He and Brody were cool, both legends in the league. Definite Hall of Famers. I recalled the game he’d gotten rammed by one of my teammates—unfairly, in my opinion—and I’d apologized for the bad behavior. I’d admired him and Brody, had watched the tape of their coming out and retirement announcement numerous times—wishing I had the courage to admit to being bisexual. The way I saw it, I was a football player, and whom I had sex with had nothing to do with how I played the game. But of course, I knew that wasn’t the reality, so I kept my mouth shut.
I had no contacts on the East Coast, and thought it would be nice to have friends, so I’d had no hesitation accepting Dev’s dinner invitation. Plus, I’d figured I could pick up some inside tips on the team.
The pretty-as-fuck scenery was a bonus.
But this Fallon guy didn’t return my smile and dropped my hand as if it were covered in shit. He backed away a few steps and remained silent.
Unaware of his friend’s tension, Dev said, “We just got here a few minutes ago.”
“Dev, I—” Fallon began, but Dev cut him off.
“Calling you out late on a Sunday might be unusual, but I’m telling you, there’s a method to my madness. You’ve probably seen that Trick here has just been traded to the Kings, and he doesn’t know anyone in the city.” His attention shifted to me. “Are you from California?”
I nodded. “I’m from Kansas originally, but I’ve lived in Southern California since college. So yeah, I’m a tourist here for the most part.”
“You want me to be a tour guide?” Fallon asked, his dark-blond brows arched high. “Really, Dev?”
Dev rolled his eyes at Fallon, who sat stiff, a frown pulling down his mouth. “No, don’t be ridiculous. You heard what I said.” He turned to me. “Fallon is the best of the best. I wouldn’t even think of giving him up, but he just doesn’t have enough work and he’s wasting away doing bullshit tasks for me. He’s the only reason I knew the time and place to show up every day and had meetings with my agent, lawyer, or PR teams from whatever company I was working with.” His gaze shifted to Fallon, then returned to me. “I think you should hire him as your PA.”
Dev hadn’t mentioned this earlier. I’d thought we’d gotten together for a little postgame recap, but the more I thought about what he said, the more it made sense.
“Oh, wow, that would be great.” Although I might end up walking around with a perpetual case of blue balls, I did need someone to help me coordinate my life. My agent wasn’t my PA, and the first time I’d asked Mimi to take messages for me while I was busy at training camp, she’d balked, saying she was my girlfriend, not my secretary. I’d given in and hadn’t pushed it because I never wanted to make her angry. Happy girl, happy world.
Fallon’s startled eyes met mine. “What? No way.”
Ouch. This guy disliked me on sight for no reason. “Why not? I need someone, and from what Dev’s said, sounds like you’re efficient and the most organized person he knows.”
If I thought the praise would butter him up, I was wrong.
“Because…because I don’t know,” Fallon protested, his expression uncomfortable. “I feel like I’m being ambushed.”
“If you want, I’ll interview you formally.”
Brody chimed in. “That sounds fair, Fallon. Lizzie had a ton of offers after I retired but decided she’d stay and earn some extra money managing my socials while she goes to school.”
Dev took Brody’s hand and squeezed it. “Which, of course, my husband is paying for in full.” He lifted Brody’s hand and kissed each knuckle. “Because he’s the nicest person alive.”
Brody’s cheeks pinked, and I couldn’t help wondering what would it be like to be out and proud and an active player. My gut tensed as I imagined the guys in the locker room suddenly eyeing me as if I were different. They’d think I was checking out their asses and dicks. All because I liked being with men as well as women.
“You guys are cute.” I chuckled, but the truth? I was envious of their openness and curious about some things. “Does anyone give you shit about your relationship?”
Brody’s face tightened. “I still get nasty hate mail, and though I won’t swear to it, some of the sportscasters I work with and some of the players seem less than thrilled.”
That reasoning was why I frequented the exclusive clubs. Anonymity. Discretion was my middle name, but it had been years since I’d been able to get it on with a guy, the last time proving to be a massive disappointment.
