Governor’s Gala in Sacramento
“Good evening, gentlemen. Could I get your names, please?” The Gala Concierge smiled as he greeted us inside the doorway. I stood to the side as our tight end, Evan Ellis, pulled out our invitation. He and Lennox Sanders, our quarterback, were the faces of our franchise. I played center, and Carson St. James, our other friend, was a strong safety. He and Lennoxwere the captains and the most well-known. Even the concierge recognized them. “I apologize for asking, but it’s protocol, even for celebrities like yourselves.”
Evan gave him what the media refers to as a million-dollar smile. “It’s totally fine,” he said. “We understand.”
The guy looked us over as he checked off the names. I was sure he didn’t recognize me, because I wasn’t as famous and didn’t appear on billboards around San Diego. He was probably eliminating my friends, leaving him with me. And that was perfectly fine. My job was to keep my head down, get Lennox the ball, and keep him from being tackled. So, I wasn’t surprised when he didn’t ask my name before pointing down the hall. “The reception room is to the left. Have a good evening, gentlemen.”
We followed Evan and Lennox down the corridor, stopping at the wide entrance to the room. I’d been to countless charity events set up like this that my parents had hosted in New York City. It wasn’t my thing, but as a member of the Super Bowl Champions, it was still an honor to be here.
“This has possibilities,” Lennox said to me, before leaning into Evan. “I’m going to get a drink before we schmooze with the celebs.”
Evan nodded but didn’t look at him. “Cool. Grab me a whiskey, would ya? There’s someone I want to speak to.”
Lennox raised a brow but didn’t ask questions. Evan had spotted someone to charm. He was openly bisexual, unlike me, who chose to keep that information on a need-to-know basis. No one on my team knew that about me. I’d been on lots of first dates via setups and apps, but I wasn’t interested in the hookup culture. I wanted someone I could give my undivided attention to. Someone who made me feel loved, and the one I could love the rest of my life.
“You guys want anything?” Lennox asked me and Carson.
“No, I’m good,” I replied. “I’ll go find our table.”
“We’ll be back,” Carson said. As they headed to the bar, I found the table where name tags with table assignments were laid out. After grabbing mine, I picked up theirs as well. When I located Table 24, I set their nametags at their chairs, then took a seat. Scanning the room, my eyes stopped on a tall man with dark hair, graying at the temples. Dressed in a dark designer suit, Tom Ford, if I had to guess. The man was strikingly handsome. Clean-cut with a strong jawline and piercing blue-gray eyes, he stood close to the man Evan was talking to, none other than the Governor of California, Hudson Gatlin.
“I brought you a vodka and cranberry,” Lennox said, putting the drink in front of me. “In case you changed your mind.”
My quarterback was like that. The media knew him to be a playboy, but we knew the real Lennox Sanders. The one who talked smack but would give you everything he had if you needed it. I loved him like a brother and took my job of protecting him very seriously. He and I had similar mommy issues that we chose not to talk about unless the alcohol gave us loose lips.
“Thanks,” I said, grateful he’d given me a prop to hide behind.
I picked up my drink and took a sip just as a petite woman stopped in front of the mystery man. His previously steely expression softened into a smile as he looked down at her, and when she walked away, he chuckled and shook his head. My heart started pumping when he looked around the room and caught me staring. But much to my surprise, his eyes lingered a moment before he went back to scanning the room.
“How did your date go the other night?” Carson asked, drawing my attention. “I forgot to ask.”
Lennox broke out laughing, making me blush. “She was a little too much for our Mason,” he said.
“I blame you,” I said, tipping my glass toward Lennox. “You should have known that wasn’t going to work. That’s the last time I let you set me up.”
Lennox grinned as he ran his hand over his beard. “I’m sorry. Sometimes you’re a man of few words, and she was a sure thing. Didn’t think you’d have to talk once she got a look at your blue eyes and sandy-brown hair.”
I scoffed. “How about you set up St. James instead of me?”
Carson held his hands up. “Nope. I’m good, thank you. I’ve been seeing someone. I think maybe she might be the one.” The problem was, I don’t think he really believed that. He was just trying to derail the matchmaker.
I raised my brows. “Really? That’s great, man.” Carson smiled, but I recognized that doubt in his eyes. And he was a terrible actor. He never tried to talk his way out of a penalty when he knew he was guilty.
Luckily, Lennox didn’t look as closely as I did, or he was letting him off the hook. “Well, that leaves my matchmaking skills all for you, Mason.”
I snorted. “How about you match make yourself into a few dates. Or better yet, let us do it.”
Lennox grinned. “You never know. The Bachelor Auction is coming up, so who knows what might happen.”
I shivered at the thought, making them laugh. When the conversation turned to which apps were better for finding relationships over hookups, I glanced away to check on Tom Ford. But as my luck would have it, he was gone. And so was Evan and the governor.
Looking around the room, I leaned toward Lennox. “Hey, where’s Evan?”
He frowned and looked around the room, coming up empty in his search as well. “I don’t know. Jesus, I hope he hasn’t bailed for a hookup.”
“Nah, I don’t think so,” I said. “He was talking to Governor Gatlin.”
As the room began to fill with attendees, we were sidetracked by fans and people congratulating us. While I wasn’t uncomfortable in public, it wasn’t my favorite way to spend the evening. As we engaged in conversation, the governor appeared with Tom Ford. I was fascinated with them as they headed to the front of the room. Governor Gatlin stopped to shake hands and speak to guests as the suited man stepped back into the shadows. Something about him called to me like a siren’s song. I just hoped I got a better ending. But I’d never know if I didn’t meet him.
