“Oh, shit. I'd better get dressed.” Grey hopped off the bed.
“Thanks, man.” I stood and gave Malik a quick hug and left their room. As I strolled down the hallway toward my room, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I stopped and slid it out.
Colton
Have a great game tonight. I can’t wait to see you play. Evan says hello too. He watches ASU football and knows who you are. I guess you’re quite a star .
My heart filled with warmth, and a smile quirked my lips. He’d told Evan about me. That meant something, right?
We wereon fire tonight and quickly dominated the field. I’d made holes for Malik throughout the game, and he’d run more yards than he had in a long time. Colton’s text had occupied my thoughts before each offensive play. It had been such a simple gesture, but profound.
Coach put Grey into the game while leading by three touchdowns nearing the end of the fourth quarter. As we walked into the huddle, I slapped Grey’s ass and threw a knowing grin at Malik, who gave me a dirty look. “Moore, you’ve got this. Follow me into the defense.”
“You’ve got it.” Grey gave me a crooked smile.
Justin James shook his helmeted head as we huddled. “Who died and made you quarterback, Rowlings?”
“No one, but I know you’re going to run the ball. Why risk a pass right now?” I gave him a sly grin. He wasn’t Casey Carter, but he was a damn good quarterback.
After running through our next play, we lined up on the field with me next to our center.
The center snapped the ball, and James drew back, faking a pass.
I rushed toward the Raider’s defense, pushing guys aside.
As a hole opened, my peripheral vision caught Grey, sprinting down the center of the field. “Go, Moore.” I ran after him, tossing guys away from him as he ran.
A linebacker appeared on my left. “Not so fast.” Grabbing my waist, he twisted me around.
Stumbling, I fell into the grass. As I sat up, I watched Grey hustle over the goal line.
“Touchdown ASU.”
“Fuck yeah.” I pumped my fist. This was a great night. I stood, swiped grass from my football pants, and then strutted toward a television camera. Holding up my index finger, I said, “That was for you, Colton.” Would he see it? Who knew? It was crazy that a man I’d only spent three hours with impacted me so profoundly. But he’d been magical for me tonight.
FOUR
COLTON
“Did you see that?” Evan pointed at the television screen in his Scottsdale apartment. “He clearly said your name.”
“He did not.” I scoffed as heat swarmed my cheeks. As I sipped my beer, I peeked at the TV. He couldn’t be playing for me. Who does that for their tutor?
“No? Well, let’s have a quick rewind and see.” Evan plucked his remote from the coffee table and rewound the game by thirty seconds. “Watch.”
Biting my lower lip, my heart pattered as my gaze locked on the screen. I shouldn’t like him this much. I barely knew him. But Evan kept planting ideas in my head. It was all his fault.
Travis stalked toward the camera, his blue eyes gleaming even from under his helmet, his plump lips curled into a broad grin. Holding his finger up, he said, “That was for you, Colton.”
The announcers chuckled and asked, “Okay, I wonder who this Colton is?”
“A brother maybe?” a second announcer asked.
“See? Even the announcers heard it.” Evan jabbed his finger at the screen. “I’m telling you, man, he’s got a thing for you.” He sank into his black leather couch and spread his arm across theback of it. “This game is over. They’re playing the second-string guys now and still making touchdowns.”
I glanced at the mostly eaten pepperoni pizza on the table and picked up a slice. It was cold, but still good. “Do you want to watch something else?” A tiny ache ghosted through my chest as I bit into the pizza. I’d watch all I could of Tex. He was amazing in person, but in his football uniform? I’d had to tell my dick to stand down a few times.
Peering at me, Evan said, “No, because you want to watch every second of this game. I can tell.” He patted my thigh. “Why the hell are you going on a date with Sara when you’d clearly rather date Tex?” He took a quick breath. “And don’t give me any bullshit about your dad. If you don’t tell him, how would he know?”