Page 239 of Vegas Heat

A shudder races through me at the thought of actually telling him. We’ve gotten so good at keeping this just between the two of us that I’m almost scared what it’ll mean to go public.

It’s not just telling my father.

We’ll be opening ourselves up to public scrutiny, to comments about the difference in our ages, to judgment from people who know nothing about us. And that’s sort of terrifying.

But knowing I’ll be doing it with his hand in mine means we’ll get through it. We’ve built a strong foundation over the last six months.

“I think you’re right,” I finally agree. “It’s time.”

He kisses me softly, and it quickly turns urgent and passionate as our kisses always seem to. It hasn’t worn off over the last six months. If anything, the flame has only grown brighter.

I just hope that the flame continues to burn once we allow others who have the potential to smother it in.

CHAPTER 20: COOPER

We both agreed we should tell him, but we didn’t agree onwhen.

It’s still hanging in the air around us as we celebrate our first Valentine’s Day together—mostly naked and a little drunk on wine and each other.

Part of the problem is that we’ve all gotten busy. Gabby and I sneak in moments when we can, and it’s often when Troy is busy with player management, when he’s working with Mike, or when he’s at Joanie’s place or his club.

When we’re not sneaking in moments, I’m usually working, and often with Troy—but it’s also when Gabby is either working or at class. Over the last few weeks, it’s become pretty rare for the three of us to be in the room at the same time with nothing else going on where we could have this sort of huge conversation.

And so Gabby and I stay comfortably in the zone where we’ve resided for six months.

I want to tell him before we head to Phoenix. I want to get it off my chest before the real game play begins. I want to go into the season with a clear conscience, with nothing standing between my manager-slash-close friend and me, and I want to be able to call my girlfriend without worrying her father is going to catch us.

It’s been six months. We’ve managed to keep it from him this long, but once the season begins and she’s traveling with the team, I just don’t know how we’ll continue to keep it up. And even if we could, I’m not sure it would matter. I don’twantto keep it up anymore.

And now even my friends who know are starting to harp on me.

“When are you planning to tell Troy?” Danny asks when it’s just the two of us at the bar on a Wednesday night. We’re a few days out from leaving for Phoenix, and Gabby’s working late again while I’m working on…player relations—also known as drinking beer at a bar with some teammates before we wind up at someone’s place for a few hands of poker.

I sigh, and then I chug down half my beer.

“That soon?” he teases, and I shake my head.

“I don’t know, man. We talked and we agreed we should tell him soon, but things are just…out of control right now. I’m here with you, she’s working late. Tomorrow I’m at the stadium all day and then I’m interviewing on a couple different podcasts, and she’s got a paper due that she has to work on tomorrow night. Troy will be at a charity event the next night. We just can’t seem to find a good time to do it.”

“Or you’re not actively searching for one. Isn’t it easier not knowing his reaction versus getting a bad one?” he asks.

It’s sage advice from the idiot who was shotgunning beers the morning of the parade, but he’s got a point.

I don’t admit to that, though, and I really don’t have to since he opens his mouth again.

“Or, you know, cut it off and find a different pair of legs to slide between every night.” He wiggles his eyebrows, and I roll my eyes.

He’s younger than me, and he doesn’t get it yet. He hasn’t had that pull to want a wife and kids and love. I’ve been where he is, and there’s nothing satisfying or fulfilling in sleeping with a different woman every night. It’s fun for a while, but it ends up leaving a giant void of loneliness. I’m sure it’s just down the road for him. It’ll hit him when he’s least expecting it.

Rush slides back into the booth and Nick follows a moment later, cutting our conversation short. The rest of the night, though, my brain focuses on what Danny said.

While I deal out the cards once we’re at Rush’s mansion, I can’t help but wonder what if wedoget a bad reaction? What’s the worst thing Troy’s going to do?

I keep circling back to that as I push chips out onto the table and lose my ass since I’m totally unfocused.

I’m usually a fairly optimistic guy, but I force myself to go down the road of the worst possible scenario.

Let’s say he gets mad about it. Maybe I lose a friend. Am I prepared for that?

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