Page 3 of Running Back

Jakk:Come stay with me. Like I said, I have the room. It’s quiet and no one will bother you here. Plus, we won’t have to keep meeting up when you come to town, since you’ll be right here.

There. Hopefully, he sounded levelheaded rather than needy. As time ticked by without a response, Jakk second guessed himself. Maybe he had gone too far. He hadn’t actually signed anything yet. Rocky could still withdraw his offer. It was possible he sounded like he wanted Rocky in his bed, which he did, but still. He hadn’t meant his offer that way. Jakk wasn’t that guy. His panic won.

Jakk:It’s okay to say no. I didn’t mean to overstep or anything.

Rocky:Sorry. I was packing my things. Give me fifteen.

Jakk’s face hurt, making him realize how hard he smiled at his phone.

Jakk:I’ll be here. The code to the front gate is 5368. Come in through the side door. I’ll leave it unlocked for you.

Rocky:Sounds good. I’ll see you soon, and thanks.

Jakk:No problem. That’s what friends do.

The immediate cringe after hitting send was real. Maybe he shouldn’t have added that last bit. He sounded like an idiot. His embarrassment lasted a half second before giddiness set in. Rocky was coming. Likely, he would go straight to bed, but he would be here. Under Jakk’s roof. Down the hall. Feet from Jakk’s bed. Jakk could control himself. Possibly. Fuck. Maybe this had been a mistake after all. He smiled again. It was an error he would gladly make a thousand times. Rocky was hot as fuck. And a guy could dream.

What in the hell was he doing? Rocky gripped the steering wheel with both hands, white knuckling it all the way to Jakk’s place. What in the actual fuck was he thinking? This was insane. It was a terrible idea. He was such a fucking idiot. It was like he didn’t know how to stop being weak. He couldn’t get there fast enough. It was just a quiet place to stay. He was exhausted and had been for a while now. That was all. He needed rest. That didn’t explain the way his heart rate kicked up as the gate swung wide in front of Jakk’s house. He forced himself to focus on other things. It was a nice place. Not too big or ostentatious. Perfect for a single guy with money. Rocky parked, grabbed his bag, and headed for the side door. Jakk had said he would leave it unlocked, but it opened before Rocky reached for the handle. A shirtless Jakk stood in the doorway. Pajama pants hung low on his hips, showing off perfect abs and sexy obliques. Rocky needed to get his poor, neglected libido under control.

He pasted on a smile. “Hey. I didn’t mean to wake you earlier with my text.”

Jakk looked genuinely happy to see him. He stepped aside so Rocky could enter. “You didn’t. I was staring at the ceiling.”

Sympathy cut through him. “Yeah. I suppose it’s been a hell of a day for you.”

Jakk shrugged and closed the door behind him. “It is what it is, I guess. There’s no reason you can’t get some sleep, though. Come on.” He motioned for Rocky to follow.

Rocky tried. Oh, God. He fought it. His gaze dropped to Jakk’s ass. Fuck. It was perfect. This wasn’t good. He shouldn’t have come here. That was not what left his lips. “Thanks for letting me stay. Things were getting a bit uncomfortable back at the hotel.”

Jakk glanced over his shoulder. His eyes swam with laughter. “I’ll bet. I know my pitiful, newly single ass is in no shape to listen to anyone else having fun.”

That wasn’t pitiful at all. Rocky had to bite his bottom lip to keep from saying it.

Jakk turned left and clicked a light switch. “Here we go. There’s a bathroom through there.” He motioned toward a nearby door. “I’m pretty sure everything you need is in there. This is the room my mom stays in when she visits.”

Rocky glanced around. It was nice. A simple guest bedroom with neutral colors. If Rocky had to guess, he would say Jakk likely hired a decorator to handle the place… or his ex. That was a depressing thought. He worked up a smile. “This is perfect. Thank you again.” His phone chirped. “Excuse me.” Rocky pulled out the device. A smile automatically pulled at his lips. “It’s one of the brands I contacted on your behalf. I forgot timezones exist. It’s likely morning there already.” He opened the email and moved closer to Jakk so Jakk could read it as well. It was short, simply stating they were interested and would like to set up a meeting.

Jakk looked up, smiling. He was close. Too close. His eyes had specks of gold when the light hit them. Rocky was mesmerized. “That’s awesome. You’re obviously as amazing as I’ve always heard. Thank you for showing up for me.”

Rocky forgot what they were talking about. He only knew Jakk thanked him. “It’s nothing.”

Jakk’s expression shifted. He turned serious. “It’s not. Today, I got betrayed and let down by people I had put all my faith in. People I had known for years. Who had been my friends and people I love. Yet you’re the one who showed up for me, a complete stranger. You have no idea how grateful I am.”

Yes, he did. No one had shown up for Rocky. He knew exactly how much he would have appreciated the support. Maybe that was exactly what Jakk needed to hear. “I do know because I was you.” Rocky put some distance between them and set his bag near the bed. He didn’t want to look directly at Jakk. “In an instant, everyone I had played with for years went silent and hid when we were in the locker room like I would molest them if I saw any part of their body unclothed. It was humiliating and heartbreaking. I felt betrayed and ashamed. Then, they cut me loose to save everyone from me—like being gay was contagious.” Rocky sat on the edge of the bed and met Jakk’s stare. Jakk watched him intently, as if hanging on every word, so Rocky didn’t stop. “Everything was gone. No team would touch me. Butan anger lit in me and kept going. It hasn’t been that many years, but things are changing. Some people will accept you and I’ll be damned if I let you end up like me.”

Jakk crossed the room and sat next to him. Like Rocky had earlier, he stared straight ahead, as if he couldn’t look at Rocky as he spoke. “I can’t lose this career.” He visibly swallowed. Then he turned his head, and their faces were inches apart. His eyes looked every bit as devastated as he sounded. “This is all I know. I didn’t finish college so I could enter the draft early. That’s why I’ve stayed on the down low. I made a choice for my future, betting everything on football. Yeah, I might have a few million to my name in various sources, but I can’t live on that until I die. If I lose this, I’ll end up on one of those where are they now shows, working at a fast-food joint.”

A smile snapped to Rocky’s lips. “You absolutely won’t. If by chance you somehow end up jobless, which I won’t let happen, I’ve been needing an assistant for years. I’d hire you in a heartbeat.”

Jakk didn’t smile as he hoped. His gaze moved over Rocky’s face, studying him. “You really are amazing. Whoever you’re dating is lucky as hell.”

It was like getting punched in the chest. An uncomfortable-sounding chuckle escaped him with no permission from his brain. It was a nervous tic. “Yeah, no. I might be in Ontario tomorrow morning and then New Orleans by tomorrow night. Then California the next day. No one can handle that. At least, not anyone I’ve met. I probably haven’t dated anyone seriously in like six years.” His mind stuttered. Goddamn. Had it been sixyears? That was depressing. He swiped his sweating palms on his knees. “I suppose I should let you get some sleep.”

Jakk stood. “Same. You came here exhausted and then I hijacked your time. Get some rest. You’re welcome to stay as long as you need, and if you need anything, I’m right next door.”

Rocky nodded. “Thanks again. Goodnight.”

Jakk dipped his chin before leaving Rocky alone. He pulled the door closed behind him. For a moment, Rocky stared at nothing, losing himself in his thoughts. It really had been six years. He was the saddest of messes.

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