Page 7 of Running Back

“Oakley Wilkes? The retired baseball player?”

Rocky nodded. “He was the first player to take a chance on me. So now I do everything possible to keep the money flowing his way, even with his retirement.”

“That’s nice of you.”

Rocky’s gaze moved over Jakk’s face. He looked serious. Jakk had a bad feeling he was about to get the talk. In a way, he was right. “You know I travel nonstop.”

Jakk nodded. Things weren’t exactly cut and dry with him either. “You know, I just left a long-term relationship.”

Rocky nodded. “I don’t have to leave for New York until tomorrow.”

Jakk bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling like an idiot. “You should stay at my place.”

A bright smile lit Rocky’s face. “I’d like that.”

“Me too.” It was wrong how happy he felt. Jakk had been with Eric for six years. They had met on the first day of college and had been together through everything. Then the resentment had set in on both sides and the love died on Jakk’s end. He had been going through the motions for a long time, trying hard to hang on to what he thought they would be. Plus, Eric had uprooted his life and gave up college to come with Jakk. Eric had risked everything on him. Jakk hated himself every time he thought about it. He didn’t deserve to be happy with someone else. But then there was the rage. Throughout everything, Jakk hadn’t once strayed or betrayed him. Eric couldn’t say the same. Goddamn it. Jakk wouldn’t let the past ruin the future. Plus, what the fuck? It wasn’t like he had a future with Rocky. This was just a mutual attraction. Nothing more.

“If you’ve changed your mind, I’ll understand.”

Rocky’s quietly spoken words dragged Jakk from the edge. He focused on Rocky. His intensity didn’t let up, no matter how hard he fought it. “No. That thought never crossed my mind.” He hated to lie, but he couldn’t let Rocky think the sudden dip in mood was his fault in any way. “I guess it just hit me. I’ll be back to the stress of it all soon. It was nice to pretend all this bullshit didn’t wait for me.”

“I might not be present, but I’ll always be around. Just pick up the phone. Don’t let this beat you, and—for fuck’s sake—remember what I said. Don’t let this interfere with your game. If you do, they win.”

Jakk smiled. “Don’t worry. I’m a different person on the field.”

Rocky leaned his way and held his stare. “Don’t be so sure. I’ve seen that intensity and passion off the field.”

Goddamn. Rocky made Jakk hot in every way. He couldn’t wait to show him exactly how passionate he could be.

By the time the plane landed, and they were loaded in Jakk’s car, Jakk was ready to do twice the speed limit to get home. He forced himself to drive at a safe speed. His pride refused to allow him to expose his desperation. Judging by the way Rocky had made him shake and beg without penetration, Jakk needed to know what it would be like to have the man inside him.

A groan rose and caught in his throat as he pulled into his driveway. Eric sat on the porch, waiting. Jakk wondered how long he had been sitting there. There was no way he knew where Jakk had been or when he would be home.

“Fuck. This is about to get awkward.”

Rocky flashed him a sympathetic smile. “I can call a cab and find a hotel. It’s no big deal.”

It was, and it pissed Jakk off that Rocky could say it wasn’t. He wanted to be with Rocky. They only had tonight before Rocky had to go home. He would be goddamned if Eric stole another fucking thing from him. “You’re the one I want here.” Jakk couldn’t hold back the passion.

Rocky nodded at his obvious seriousness. “Okay. Do you want me to wait in the car and let you two talk?”

Jakk felt the incredulous expression overtake his face. “No. I’ve said everything I need to say to him.”

“Okay.” Rocky sounded unsure.

That had his anger skyrocketing. How dare Eric endanger anything else in Jakk’s life? Hadn’t he destroyed enough?

Together, they climbed from the car. Jakk handed Rocky his keys. “Go ahead and get settled. This won’t take long.”

Eric’s gaze moved from Jakk to Rocky as they approached. Hatred flashed in his dark blue eyes. Rocky nodded as he passed, as if he had no reason to worry. It was odd and uncomfortable. Rocky used Jakk’s keys and headed inside.

“I guess I know the real reason you dumped me.”

Jakk’s brow furrowed. “What in the fuck are you talking about? First off, you know exactly why we’re over. Secondly, that’s my new agent. You know, one I needed since your bullshit got me dropped by my old one.”

Guilt touched Eric’s features. He shifted from foot to foot. Jakk’s chest hurt. He still knew what he saw in Eric. Eric was big and cuddly. Jakk used to think he was the sweetest man alive. Once upon a time, Jakk would have done anything for him. Now hehad stepped over that line between love and hate. There was no going back.

“I didn’t mean for that to happen.”

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