That I would happily do.
Thomas never went back to his condo after we returned from Mexico. We spent our time before training camp moving him in and debating the merits of each job. In the end, he decided he would turn down the Storm job, opting to continue working for himself. “I enjoy the flexibility working for myself provides.”
But when he came down to the team’s workout room, where I was having leg day, he entered holding a brown envelope and a familiar folder from HR.
Furrowing my brow, I pointed to them. “What’s that?” Thomas looked at the folder, but didn’t answer right away. “He talked you into the job, didn’t he?”
He ran his hand over his neck, then chuckled. “Technically, no.”
I folded my arms across my sweaty chest, amused by where this was going. You didn’t get the HR folder unless you had a job. Thomas’s eyes trailed from my feet, cataloging every muscle and bulge until he reached my eyes. My mouth tipped up as he devoured me visually. “Time to fess up.”
Clearing his throat, he shoved down his attraction long enough to point toward the ceiling. “That man could teach courses in strategic negotiation and coercion.”
“Why?” I chuckled. “What did you agree to?”
He propped his hands on his hips and looked at the floor before looking back up. “I went in, ready to turn it down. And I did. I shared my concerns about us being together and how I thought it would be a conflict of interest. But somehow, he convinced me there was no issue with me and you, and got me to agree to be a consultant this season. He hired me to be additional private security for…”
“For?” I asked, moving closer. We were alone, so I didn’t worry about anyone seeing us.
Thomas looked around. “For the queer players. Evidently, there’s been some chatter online. It’s probably nothing, but he doesn’t want to take a chance.”
“So let me get this straight,” I said, leaning in. “You’re going to be paid to protect me and my friends?”
“I offered to do it for free, but he said he had to pay me for liability and insurance reasons.”
“Hmm,” I grinned. “Does this mean I get to be strip-searched? We can practice that now.”
Thomas shook his head, but I could see the humor in his eyes. “We’ll save that for at home.”
Chapter 29
Mason
“Well, gentlemen,” Lennox said, throwing his arm over my shoulder, “this is the year we win it all again. I can feel it.”
Evan rolled his eyes as he pulled his suitcase toward the elevator. “You say that every year, Sanders. But I appreciate your optimism.”
“I say it because I believe it. I’m manifesting our new reality. Putting out there for the universe to pick up. We have everyone we need, no more immigration bullshit, and the best o-line and defense in the league. How can we not win? Plus, we’re having training camp at home, just like when we won the bowl two years ago.“
“I didn’t know you were superstitious, Sanders?” Carson said.
He shrugged. “Not so much that as repeating patterns that went right.”
“So we need to get Dane to break up with you again?” Evan smirked. He was poking the bear.
Lennox whipped his head around, causing his shampoo model hair to fly. I checked my wrist, where I kept a couple of elastic bands for him. “Shut your filthy mouth, Ellis. He loves me too much for that. I’d also chain him to my bed and wouldn’tlet him go. Maybe we should get Hudson to move back to Sacramento. How about that?”
Evan laughed, knowing that would never happen.
“Lennox is right,” I added, looking at my friends. I pulled off a band and handed it to him. “We’ve got this. It’s going to be our best season yet, and I think it’s because we love our jobs, and we all have love in our lives. Even though most of us don’t want the details.”
They all stopped to gape at me, even Lennox in mid-man-bun assembly. They weren’t used to me adding so many words to the conversation. The stoic man they knew had started to morph into someone only Thomas and Axel knew. “What?”
Colin grinned. “Where has our quiet Mason gone? Guess getting the dick will open up a bloke’s mouth.”
Carson stepped up and put his hand over Colin’s mouth. “God bless, America. I can’t take you anywhere, I swear. I’m gonna have to find a way to keep that mouth of yours shut before you get us in trouble.”
Colin licked the palm of his husband’s hand, making Carson jerk his hand away. “You know how to shut me up, love.” We watched as he ran his hand down Carson’s chest. “You can stuff it with your big fat…” That time, Carson pulled him into a kiss to shut him up, making us all groan.
