Page 146 of The Play

“Uh, yeah, so . . .Pirate’s Booty?” Riley asked again, flashing him an apologetic smile. Clearly he hadn’t meant to interrupt what was quickly becoming a moment. A Moment, even, in capital letters.

Of course, Deacon wasn’t sure Grant had meant it to be A Moment either—but maybe it was better for the team to see them like this. Even though they’d talked about their feelings and their relationship in the interview, they’d very scrupulously held the line in public and in front of the team.

But then, it’d become A Moment anyway.

Maybe Grant had intended it; maybe, in the end, he couldn’t help it.

Either way, Deacon wanted to feel all of that cool, firm touch everywhere.

“Um, not sure what my . . .” Grant tilted his head imperceptibly as Deacon stumbled. “What . . .uh . . .our plans are.”

Okay, he could do that too. They could touch. They could have plans together. Everyone knew they did, anyway. They’d admitted to it. It was stupid to think they couldn’t be open and freer here, now. Deacon didn’t know why he hadn’t believed they would be.

“You asking me what I think?” Grant asked softly.

Okay, if Grant could lay down the gauntlet, then Deacon could definitely pick it up.

“You want to go to the Pirate’s Booty for the victory party . . .” Deacon paused, hoping that everyone was listening. “With me?”

“Yes,” Grant said, nodding. His hand slipped from Deacon’s chest. Deacon nearly grabbed it back. “I’ll meet you outside.”

When Grant moved on, finally, Nate let out a screech-gasp. “Oh my God,” he exclaimed. “You two are . . .geez, I think I might be combusting just from the looks you give each other.”

“Thanks,” Deacon said dryly.

Grant waited outside the locker room, resting his back against one of the drab walls.

What had gotten into him?

Before going into the locker room, he’d decided it was okay to blur the line a little—after all, the team knew what was going on, now—but he’d lectured himself firmly about staying professional. These were still Deacon’s teammates.

But when he’d gotten to Deacon, and oh God, he’d been mostly naked, treating him the same way he’d treated every other player in that locker room had seemed all kinds of wrong.

Darcy was always telling him he spent far too long looking before leaping, so he’d just done exactly what he’d wanted, and from the undeniable heat in Deacon’s gaze, he hadn’t hated it at all. In fact, he’d leaned into Grant’s touch, like he couldn’t get enough.

As for the victory party . . .he’d definitely had no intention of attending another of those again. That was Deacon’s scene. His teammates celebrating. But when he’d asked, there’d only been one question echoing through Grant’s brain.

Why did we do that interview if it means we’re still hiding all the goddamn time?

He’d attended a victory party, once before, at Carter’s invitation, but he and Deacon were together now. Everyone on planet earth knew they were together. Why shouldn’t they attend it together?

“Done overthinking?”

Grant glanced over and Darcy was standing there, grinning.

“I wasn’t—”

“Yeah, you were. And it’s okay. But I’m glad you got out of your own head, for once.”

“You heard,” Grant guessed.

“And saw,” Darcy said with a nod, her eyes gleaming with amusement. “Good for you. What’s the point of having such a hot, successful football player for a boyfriend if you don’t show him off, once in awhile?”

“Darcy,” Grant chided, but he was smiling.

“And you’re not looking too shabby yourself. Happy and in love is a good look on you. A great look on you.”

“Speaking of that . . .” Grant hadn’t intended to bring up the promotion now, but he had a feeling she’d say no a bunch of times before she finally said yes, so he might as well prime her for the idea of it. Let her start stewing over it, properly. “I’ve decided that I’m going to transition out of the InTech CEO role.”

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