“For now,” Cole replied, draping his arm over Adam’s shoulders. “Let’s go. The game is gonna start.”
We spent the second half in Patrick’s luxury box, snacking on all kinds of appetizers. The Pirates and the Senators had been equally matched until Declan Miller charged through a hole in the defense and ran for a seventy-six yard touchdown. From that point on, the Pirates took control, and Alex Hayes ran that offense like a well-oiled machine.
“Don’t eat too much, boys. We still have Thanksgiving dinner after Patrick is finished playing.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Adam kissed Mrs. Bradley on the cheek.
She smiled up at him and patted his cheek. “Thank you, sweet boy. I can’t wait to hear about your new boyfriend.”
I smiled as Adam turned three shades of red.
“Kiss-ass,” Cole muttered jokingly under his breath, where only Adam and I could hear him. Adam shot him the bird and grinned like a loon, causing Cole to grab him by the head.
Seeing this side of their relationship made me happy. He’d had a good life growing up with them, and it made me miss my own family. I’d make sure to call them when we left.
When the game ended with a convincing Pirates win, we waited in the suite until Patrick texted Cole for us to come down.
Exiting the elevator, we were met by Patrick and a host of Pirates. We stood back as Cole introduced his parents to his friends. It hadn’t occurred to me until I spotted Greg Foster’s blond head above the rest that Cooper might be here.
Declan Miller and his husband and daughter were the first to greet them, followed by Alex and Christian Hayes. When Cole introduced Cooper and Greg Foster as the couple they’d gone to Key West with six months ago, Adam took a step back. That was all I needed to take him by the hand and lead him toward the door.
Adam looked at me with a furrowed brow. “Where are we going?”
I smiled down at him. “Just outside. I was feeling a little claustrophobic with all those people in there, and as your bodyguard, I couldn’t leave you inside alone.”
He knew I was putting some distance between him and the uncomfortable situation inside the building.
When we cleared the doorway, I stepped to the side out of the line of sight from anyone inside and pulled him with me. Leaning with my back against the wall, I widened my stance and pulled him into my arms. Adam moved forward and pressed his body to mine while I held him close.
My Rockstar cradled my face as he looked into my eyes. Every time he looked at me like that, I fell a little more for him.
Leaning in, he whispered against my lips. “Thank you for having my back.”
I leaned forward and kissed his forehead. “I told you, Adam. I’m not leaving you. I’ll be right here to protect you for as long as you’ll have me.”
I stared into his green eyes until I knew he believed me. I could still see the doubt there, but I planned to prove it to him until there was not a shadow of a doubt that he was stuck with me.
When I couldn’t hold back any longer, I pulled him to me for a kiss.
CHAPTER21
ADAM
I hada lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Michael Coleman had become the love of my life and made me believe I just might be worthy of more. My foster parents were here with us, and—for the first time in quite a while—Cole and Patrick seemed like their old selves.
Dreamboat and Daredevil had joined our Thanksgiving dinner after the game, but left about an hour ago. Claire had outdone herself, if that was possible. We had more food than we could eat. And when Aidan and Marcus brought their three kids over, along with Jesse, Dominick, and Olivia, we felt like one big, happy family.
After dinner, Jesse and Aidan had stayed behind when Marcus took the kids home, and Dominick left with Olivia to visit his parents. They were in the kitchen having a conversation while Michael and I sat on the sofa, inhaling another piece of Claire’s pecan pie.
“Damn, that pie is good. Reminds me of my mama’s.” Michael pressed his soft lips on the fork as I watched. I was tempted to smear that damn pie all over myself just so he could clean it up with his tongue.
“I don’t know what you’re thinking about, but I’m sure it’s dirty.”
I laughed and nodded. “You know me so well.”
Just as I was about to take the last bite, Jesse came over and put his hand on Michael’s shoulder. “Can I talk to you for a minute, Phantom?”
Michael looked at me and smiled. “Yeah, sure.”
