Page 83 of Provoking the Punter

Caitlin had approved the release of a photo and post, and they had both posted. Chester had resisted checking. Now he needed to know.

“Hulme sent me a video. James has announced his retirement.”

That didn’t explain the frown. “That’s good, isn’t it?”

“Yeah.” Garrett glanced up. “But he didn’t want to retire.”

“You think he was told to?”

“Or he was told he wouldn’t be playing for the rest of the season and knew no one else would pick him up.”

“So the job is yours, and you’re playing this weekend?”

Garrett nodded, a smile lighting up his face. “Yeah, it looks that way.”

“Now tell me what people are saying on your post.”

Garrett put his phone into his pocket, picked Chester up, spun him around and then set him down before pulling him close. “I don’t care what they say. I love you and nothing is going to change that.”

Chester wrapped his arms around Garrett’s neck and leaned in to kiss him. “We should finish emptying the car, then we can sort out the bedroom and put your stuff away.”

“That is definitely something I’ve never done.”

“It’s very advanced, but given that I’ve already claimed my side, it shouldn’t be too hard.” Chester kissed him again.

“I can assure you I’m already hard.” Garrett pulled him closer until Chester could indeed feel the hardness.

Chester laughed but didn’t push him away. “Then I hope you didn’t dump your bags on the bed.”

Garrett’s teeth tugged on the lip ring. “I’m not in a rush… Are you?”

“Yes.” He had held back from falling in love for so long that now he didn’t want to waste any more time.

Garrett Stevens, punter for the Troopers, has ended speculation about his trade, coming out as gay and admitting that he is living with his boyfriend, Austin-based entrepreneur Chester Monroe. Given the way he’s been playing since the trade, the move to be with his partner has been a good one for him and the team. Fellas, let’s have a drink for them and wish them well.

Kingsley Black—The Draft

EPILOGUE

“I can’t believe you went for a run.” Chester lay sprawled on the bed, one arm thrown over his eyes as if to block out the daylight. “I clearly didn’t keep you up late enough.”

They’d been up very late completing the sex-degustation menu, and Garrett had the bite mark on his ass to prove it. He placed the coffee he’d picked up on his way back on the bedside table, leaned over, and kissed him, well aware he was sweaty. The breeze had been nice at first, now he was gritty, and sand clung to his bare skin. He’d been hoping Chester would still be asleep when he returned.

“The beach is pretty when it’s deserted.”

“How can you enjoy it when you’re running?”

He hadn’t because his mind had been elsewhere, mostly back in the hotel room where he was about to make the most important play of his life. He’d needed to run off some tension. It was the last day of their holiday, and when they went home, he’d be heading into pre-season training, so he had to be ready.

When they’d first joked about the holiday, it seemed so far away. So impossible. Now it had happened, and it was almost over.

“Why don’t you drink your coffee while I take a shower? Then we can grab breakfast.”

“Or…” Chester pulled him onto the bed.

Garrett took another kiss as he lay half on top of him.

“You could tell me what’s bothering you,” Chester finished.

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