Page 1 of Running Back

Chapter One

Sweat poured into Jakk’seyes. Bodies slammed into him. The smell of the game permeated his nostrils. He was in the zone even though a fog dimmed his senses. Whistles were blown. Music blared. The crowd roared. Fireworks filled the sky. Jakk simply did his job on autopilot. Before long, water carried away the sweat. Eyes averted from him in the locker room. The second he could, Jakk headed out. Lights flashed in his eyes. People called his name. Jakk popped in his earbuds and kept moving. There was nothing to say. He had been outed right before the first game of the season. It was a nightmare.

Accusing looks and ugly words had been tossed his way. His agent’s final words still rang in Jakk’s ears. He couldn’t sell a gay man in pro football. Not in these volatile times. It didn’t matterJakk could think of at least four out players off the top of his head. Brands didn’t want his face. Maybe during pride month just for show. Otherwise, he was now a pariah. Jakk hadn’t wanted this. He didn’t ask for it. Living on the down low had worked for him. Unfortunately, it hadn’t worked for his ex. Now that Eric had exposed him to the world, he supposed the guy got his wish. Everyone knew they had been a couple, but Jakk would be damned if he was manipulated like that. Eric had agreed to the secrecy thing. Jakk hadn’t forced him. Then, the moment Eric decided he wanted the world to know and Jakk said no, Eric had decided he would simply make the decision for them. For whatever reason, he had been shocked when Jakk dumped him over it. The rage lived in his soul.

Jakk’s feet slowed as his Mercedes came into view. A man beautiful enough to stop traffic leaned against his driver’s side door. His khaki pants and tight polo shirt looked expensive. Jakk knew the guy's shoes cost at least a grand. His blond hair had the sheen of a man who spent big money on his style. He looked slightly familiar, but Jakk couldn’t place him.

A million-dollar smile met his approach.

Jakk took out one earbud so he could find out who the guy was.

He beat Jakk to the punch. “Jakk Johnson.”

“Yeah. Do we know each other?”

The guy straightened and held out his hand. He was tall. At least six-five. “Rocky Zeal.”

The name tickled a slight memory. “Retired from basketball, correct? Sorry, I can’t recall which team.”

Rocky’s smile grew. “Roadsters.”

Jakk shook his hand. “Yeah. I remember now.”

For a moment, they simply stared at each other. Jakk shook his head, shaking off the spell Rocky’s looks wove. “Sorry. Were you waiting for me for a reason?”

“I hear you’re down an agent.”

The full memory of where he had heard Rocky’s name overcame him. He was an agent who only represented the absolute best. His client list was the thing of legends. He never crossed Jakk’s mind as even being a possibility for himself. Not that he’d had much time to think about what he would do.

Jakk winced. He likely looked like a true loser right now. “Yeah. It’s been a day.”

The sympathy that touched Rocky’s features caught Jakk off guard. He couldn’t stop staring at the guy’s hazel eyes. Jakk had to tilt his chin up to hold his stare, and that was a rare thing for him. It was hot. “May I take you to dinner?”

Jakk blinked at the question. That was the last thing he expected. “Um.” He rubbed the back of his neck. Jakk didn’t know if the guy had just asked him on a date or what hadhappened. He had literally just left a long-term relationship like six hours ago.

“To discuss your future,” Rocky clarified before Jakk had an existential crisis.

The pressure eased from Jakk’s chest. He might have been outed, but he still wasn’t ready to openly date anyone. “That sounds great.” Once the relief passed, the truth sank in, and the excitement hit. Holy shit. Rocky Zeal wanted to discuss his future. That was an absolute dream. Jakk realized he had been standing there too long, internally freaking out. “If you’d like, I can drive. We’re already at my car.”

“That’s probably for the best. I got here just in time to catch someone looking suspiciously like they intended to key it.”

Jakk’s eyebrows shot to his hairline. “You’re joking.”

Rocky didn’t look like he joked. “No. He scurried away when he saw me headed his way.”

Jakk swiped a hand over his eyes. “This is ridiculous.” He dropped his hand and headed for the trunk. Jakk stashed his bag while trying to hide the rage. All night, he had been slightly numb. Now the shock of the day was starting to wear off, and the anger grew. His sexuality had nothing to do with anything. He was still the same athlete. This was exactly why he hadn’t wanted anyone to know.

He slammed the trunk closed much harder than intended. Jakk bit back all the ugly words he wanted to scream at the top of his lungs.

“I know.” The quietly spoken words pulled Jakk away from the edge and reminded him he wasn’t alone.

His gaze moved to Rocky. There was real sympathy in his eyes. Jakk recalled something else about the man. He had retired at the height of his career after pictures were leaked of him with a man in a very compromising position. Tension drained from Jakk’s shoulders. He hadn’t even realized how rigidly he had held himself.

“Let’s have dinner. I promise I can help.”

Jakk nodded. For the first time in a long time, Jakk didn’t feel alone. Rocky knew what it was like to be him. He needed that right now.

Fuck. The pain and rage written in Jakk’s every line. Rocky felt it. The memory of suffering the same fate never faded. Rockyrecalled every second of the turmoil, like it had happened to him yesterday. He would be damned if Jakk lost everything the way he had. Technically, Rocky made way more money now, but that didn’t matter. The career he had loved and the talent he had spent his life perfecting had been stripped in one careless motion. Rocky wouldn’t let Jakk suffer his fate.

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