Page 60 of Provoking the Punter

Could he do the same?

Is that why Caitlin had said it would be good for him to be seen in queer-friendly places?

His gaze flicked to the bar, but Chester still wasn’t behind it, which meant he was in the restaurant. How was he going to take a weekend off—or a week off in the future—so they could go away? Not that he’d researched possible holiday locations yet because it seemed so far away.

A few fans recognized Addy, and then they wanted to talk and have selfies taken with their favorite QB, and someone even recognized him—which never happened when he was on his own.

Now he couldn’t help but notice the looks and touches between Cal and Addy, and he didn’t want to be caught staring, either.

He wanted to find Chester.

His phone vibrated in his pocket, and he knew who the message was from before checking.

Restaurant is closed. I’ll be leaving in 15. Will you be joining me?

Chester knew he was there. A part of him was a little miffed that Chester hadn’t come out to say hello, but another part of him that was glad because he wouldn’t have been able to contain himself. He’d have kissed Chester in front of everyone, and that would’ve been a problem.

There was a difference between being open and not hiding. It was a faint and blurry line that he wasn’t sure he was ready to tread, even though he wanted to cross it. He wanted to be on the other side instead of being surrounded by doubts and fears.

Yes

I’m in my office, so head out the back.

Garrett glanced at the guys. “My ride will be here in fifteen.”

“Ooooh. Hot date?” Cal asked.

Garrett laughed and shook his head. If he agreed it was, they’d want details, and he wasn’t ready to share. He definitely needed to talk to Caitlin, but as soon as one of the guys found out, it wouldn’t take long before word got around the whole team and then it would leave the team and would no longer be a secret.

He wanted to ask Cal what it was like not hiding, but he couldn’t. Not here. Not now.

If telling Caitlin had been a relief, he couldn’t imagine what it would be like to not carry the secret any longer. There would be other problems, and it might be nice to deal with them for a change. To stop hiding who he was. And what he wanted.

Who he wanted.

The other guys decided it was time they should leave as well.

Garrett made his excuse that he needed to use the bathroom, and they clapped each other on the shoulders, and muttered things like “great game” and “see you tomorrow.” Then he could finally leave the bar. In the corridor, he wasn’t sure where to go. There were bathrooms, and at the end was the distillery.

He didn’t know where Chester’s office was.

“You’re looking a little lost,” Chester said.

Garrett turned to see him standing in the restaurant doorway. “I should’ve asked where I was meeting you.”

The door behind Garrett opened and laughter spilled out. Chester beckoned him into the restaurant. Then closed the door.

“My office is on the other side, near the kitchen. That corridor is all public access.”

There were staff cleaning up in the restaurant, so as much as Garrett wanted to grab him and kiss him, he didn’t. Maybe he wasn’t ready. He wanted to be ready. To be in a place where it was easy to take his boyfriend’s hand.

He followed Chester through the restaurant, past the kitchen where the chefs were cleaning up or prepping for tomorrow or whatever they did before they went home.

“My office, for future reference.” Chester pointed to a door marked Manager but kept walking.

This part of the complex was more industrial. The corridor was wider and concrete, no doubt because this is where the deliveries came in. They reached the exit and stepped out into the cool night. And finally, they were alone.

Chester must’ve had the same thought because as soon as Garrett pulled the door closed, Chester had him up against it, his hands on Garrett’s chest. Garrett wrapped his arms around Chester’s waist, let his hands slide over his ass, and squeezed as they kissed.

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