Total pages in book: 80
Estimated words: 76334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76334 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 382(@200wpm)___ 305(@250wpm)___ 254(@300wpm)
It was what I’d always wanted. How many times in college had I wished Houston’s family could know me? That they’d welcome me as one of their own? And even since this fake relationship started, I’d looked at Ramsey and wanted what he had with the McRaes—for them to love me because I was Houston’s man.
“You don’t have to say anything,” she added when I continued to be quiet. “Just know that I meant what I said and that Houston will feel the same.” And then, she hugged me, and damned if I didn’t hug her back.
“Come on, baby. You got this,” I said softly to Houston as if he wasn’t close enough to hear me or was actually on the field playing. Neither of those things was true. The second half of the game was completely different from the first. Kansas City came out fighting, and the Royals…fuck, they were falling apart like I’d never seen them do.
The offense was a mess. They couldn’t do anything right. They’d been held scoreless in the second half, KC getting three unmatched touchdowns, the fourth right on the horizon. It would be one thing if it was just the Royals O that unraveled, but clearly, their D was just as screwed. Whitt, the motherfucker, was doing his thing out there, but he couldn’t win this game alone.
My gaze stayed glued to Houston on the sidelines. I could see the tension in him, could see the worry and maybe even the guilt, as if this was his fault. That was Houston, though. He would accept full responsibility. As a wide receiver coach, it was partially on him, but he wasn’t the men on the field playing. He couldn’t force them to hold it together.
I watched as he ran a hand through his hair, saw the way his head dropped back, eyes closed when Kansas City scored.
That was it, the nail in the coffin, and everyone knew it. Royals fans yelled at their own team from their seats. Some of them began filing out of the stadium, trying to get out before the parking lot was backed up with traffic—but me? I couldn’t stop watching Houston. I’d wanted the team I hated above all else to do well because I wanted Houston to do well. And as selfish as it probably made me, I couldn’t stop thinking about the fact that it also meant I was about to lose Houston again.
We waited for Houston after the game. It took a while for him to finish with the team, dealing with meetings and press conferences. When he came down the hallway toward us, I could see the exhaustion in his features…in the way he walked and carried himself.
I stiffened in surprise when he walked right up, ignoring his family, and wrapped his arms around me, burying his face in my neck. My arms automatically pulled him close, even though my brain stuttered. “Don’t feel bad,” I said softly. “Y’all didn’t suck the whole game.”
He chuckled, his chest vibrating against mine, and I knew it had been just what he needed in that moment.
“Never pass up the chance to bust my balls, do you?” He pulled away.
“Do you expect anything different?”
“Nope.” He gave me a sad smile.
“I’m so sorry, Houston. You’ll get there next year,” Connie told him. Next year…because he would be in Los Angeles, and I’d be in Denver.
“I knew you loved Houston more. You do realize if he gets there, that means the Rush don’t, right?” Garrett said playfully before sobering, “Sorry, bro.”
Ramsey clapped a hand on his shoulder. “You made it further than us,” he said before Dale went off about how he couldn’t blame himself and to remember he hadn’t been with the Royals long.
“Thanks. I’m exhausted. I just want to go home. Do you mind if me and Cull skip out on dinner?” We were all supposed to go out together tonight.
“Um…miss the food? You know that means you have to feed me, right?” I joked.
“Don’t worry. I know never to deprive you of sustenance.”
“Best. Boyfriend. Ever,” fell from my lips before we both stiffened.
“You two are so cute. Have a good night.” Connie hugged Houston first before turning to me. When I was in her embrace, she said only for my ears, “I meant what I said, Cullen. No matter what happens, you’re family now.”
I nodded, unable to find words.
We said our goodbyes to everyone else, and then I took Houston’s hand as we went out to the car he’d gotten for while he was in LA. “You good?” I asked when we were inside it.
“I don’t have much choice, do I? It’s part of the game.”
He went to put the car in drive but stopped when I said, “Hey. You’ve already proved yourself, Houston. I know an injury cut your career short, but everyone knows you’re a fucking badass whether you get a ring with the Royals or not.”