“Seriously though.” Dean said as he touched Colton’s arm. “I know I once told you I was fine doing things by myself, but I couldn’t have gotten through this without you. It means a lot to me.”
“I’m happy to help.” Colton smiled. “We’re best friends and we have each other’s backs. But I have to ask, none of your other friends wanted to help you?”
Dean let out a huge sigh. “All my friends are more superficial, not really the super helpful types. Most of them only stick with me for free shit or VIP access. And my closer friends typically bail as soon as there’s drama or anything serious. Honestly, I can’t think of any one of them that would take me to the hospital, pick me up from the airport late at night, or rush to my side if Icalled. You’re the only friend I can trust to help me when I need it,” Dean explained.
Colton felt a flutter in his belly.
Dean felt the same way he did…and wasn’t that frightening?
“Yeah. To be honest, I’m in the same boat. Many of my friends are superficial. I totally understand what you’re saying.”
“Really?” Dean looked confused. “But you have your whole team…”
Colton shrugged. “I mean, my teammates are my brothers, but they all have their own lives and families. Remember when I got sick? I was at practice. They all saw how sick I was, but none of them offered to take care of me like you did.”
They shared a smile in the slightly awkward silence that followed before Colton finally turned away and asked, “How about steak for dinner?”
Chapter 25
Dean
Sunday. Game day. And the Niners were inching closer to the playoffs.
Colton’s family had invited Dean to watch the game with them, and he hadn't expected to be so overwhelmed as he stepped into one of the larger private boxes at the stadium, filled with people eating, drinking, and loud conversations around tables.
Dean certainly wasn’t an introvert, but being surrounded by Colton’s friends and family had him feeling a little timid, insecure, and out of his element.
Thankfully, a few folks in the suite recognized him. They asked for selfies and were eager to chat about Dean’s music and his upcoming shows, which put him at ease and made him feel a little more like himself.
Dean introduced himself to new people, getting to know them and how they knew Colton.
He chatted with Colton’s dad, Peter, about football, impressing him with his knowledge of the game.
“You can thank Colton for that, sir. He’s taught me so much about the game these last few months,” Dean said with a smile.
He visited with Colton’s younger brother, Casey, who was practically a carbon copy of Colton; short blonde hair, blue eyes, cute as a button, and muscles for days. He also played running back at Stanford. He came to as many of Colton’s games as he could, and hoped to be drafted to the NFL after the combine next year.
“How cool would it be to have both of you playing for the Niners?” Dean asked.
“That's the goal, man. It would be awesome!” Casey beamed.
Occasionally, throughout the day, Dean caught Colton’s mother, Mary, glaring at him from across the suite. They had only been introduced earlier that day, when Dean first arrived. The only words they had spoken to one another were, “Hello. Nice to meet you.”
Dean didn’t understand why he was getting the incredulous side eye from Mary.
Maybe Colton told her he’s gay and she had a problem with that.
Maybe she had read something about Dean on the internet.
As with most celebrities, there were a ton of bogus rumors and downright false, outlandish stories about Dean floating around the web. Because Dean is gay, some journalists over the years had created stories suggesting Dean was a drug using, sex-crazed nymphomaniac, throwing wild sex orgies after every gig. Dean could only wish his life was that wild and depraved, but many people in the world believe everything they read on the internet. It was out there, and Dean couldn’t change it.
He sincerely hoped Mary hadn’t read one of those dishonest articles and based her opinion on that.
After a while, Dean took a seat on one side of the box, watching Colton on the field. He’d had a great game so far and Dean lovedto watch him run. Those tight football pants hugging his plump, perfect ass certainly made the view more enjoyable. Dean’s cock took interest as Colton spiked the ball in the endzone and flexed his biceps for the camera. Holy shit!
Mary sat next to him with a fresh glass of wine. Her timing couldn't have been worse. After a few moments of watching the action on the field below, she spoke. “It was nice of you to come today.”
“Thank you for having me.” Dean smiled. “I really enjoy watching the game in person, and I’ve met some very nice people today.”
