I pointed my thumb toward the logo as I extended my hand to him. “It’s nice to meet you…”
“Carl. Carl Morgan.”
The security guard glanced warily at Colin, who rolled his eyes and huffed.
“I had to buy something at the last minute. A bloke ruined my clothes in Los Angeles. I didn’t know the sheep were the enemy. You don’t have to be so pissy about it.”
“Rams,” Carl and I said in unison.
I glanced at the bag sitting at his feet, all of it beginning to make sense. Motioning toward the bag, I snickered. “Is that why you’re in such a bad mood and smell like coffee?”
“I’m not in a bad mood. Well, maybe I am now. But yes, that’s why. Some bloody wanker tackled me with his fru-fru coffee drink right before boarding.”
I smirked, wanting to say that’s how karma worked, but I didn’t. We’d already caught the attention of security, and people were standing around with cellphones out, no doubt filming all of this. The last thing I needed was to end up on social media making a spectacle at the airport. He was probably used to it.
So I smiled and tried to recall media training on handling a crisis. Instances like these were why they put us through it.
“I’m sorry that happened. I bet the drink was expensive.” I put my hand on his shoulder. “That had to suck.”
Colin’s face contorted, “It wasn’t my drink. I didn’t pay for it.”
Glancing at the guard, I extended my hand. “It was nice to meet you, Carl. I hope you’ll come out and see us play. We’re going to go grab his things and go. My special friend here needs a shower.”
After one last glance at my moody new teammate, Carl nodded. “Good luck this season. Mr. St. James. We’ll be rooting for you.”
Colin snorted as Carl walked off. “Rooted. As if…”
When the security guard was out of earshot, I glared at the striking fucker in front of me. Tipping my head forward, I covered my mouth as I stepped closer.
“Ever heard of media training? People have already recognized me, and we’ve got cameras on us, dipshit.”
Colin diverted his attention to our audience. In the blink of an eye, his expression transformed from irritated to something more devious. When he turned back to me, I knew this was going to be trouble.
“I know how to fix this, mate. Leave it to me.”
Before I could utter a single word, Colin’s hands went to my face and pulled me into a kiss right in the middle of baggage claim.
Shocked and turned on, I stood there, wide-eyed, until he pulled back. It lasted long enough to jumpstart an erection and cause my face to turn red. He followed it up with a hug like we were lovers, making up after an argument.
“There ya go, fucker,” he whispered into my ear before nipping the lobe. “That should get you some nice airtime.”
My dick continued to inflate as shivers rippled down my spine. This was not happening. “You kiss like my grandma,” I said, wiping my mouth.
Colin, and as if we needed more attention, opened his big goddamn mouth and made an announcement for our audience.
“Forgive me. That’s how we say I’ve missed my man in Australia. Let’s get my bags, baby,” he said loudly, taking my arm. “I can’t wait to get home. And Allister needs to take a wee.”
I wasn’t sure there was a name for the color of red I was seeing. But I was going to kill him.
Colin picked up his bag of clothes, shoved it into my stomach, and grabbed my arm to pull me to the luggage carousel. I was keenly aware that onlookers were watching this train wreck with phones pointed in our direction.
Media training. Just go with it.
So I smiled as we stood at conveyor A. Leaning into him, I whispered into his ear. “You’re going to get us in so much trouble.”
He laughed, unconcerned with the spectacle he’d created, and patted my cheek. “Ya said the people were watching, so I gave’em something sweet to remember. We’re less likely to make the TMZ that way. Had we brawled, it would have been worse.”
I huffed but kept the semblance of a smile on my face. I already hated his accent. “I guess you’d know all about negative press, wouldn’t you?”
