Page 74 of Matched By My Rival
“Please shut up,” I said. “We’re here.”
Marcello’s Pizza Parlor was tucked in a row of downtown restaurants, bars, and shops. A colorful, green awning extended over the glass door. Tracks was two blocks down. I’d have to clock in there before long, so this was a good place to grab dinner. But that wasn’t the only reason I’d chosen it. Parker wanted to see my favorite spot, and this was it.
“Marcello’s is your fave, huh?” Parker said. “Good choice.”
I pulled the door open, waving him through. He smirked at me, and I could just hear the words going through his head.Such a gentleman.
I glared, daring him wordlessly to continue teasing me. Yes, I was fucking blushing. No, I might not stop.Fucker.
Parker heeded the warning and didn’t say anything as we walked up to the counter where a dozen variations of pizza slices were on display.
“Not that I’m complaining,” Parker said as we examined the large menu above the counter, “but why is this your favorite place? I thought Mexican was your favorite food.”
By this point, we’d shared all our favorites in online chats. Favorite food, favorite color, favorite band. I knew Parker loved Indian food, the spicier the better. I was more of a Tex-Mex guy, I’d told him. I want the flavor without burning off my taste buds.
“Yeah, I guess it’s not about the food. It’s the feeling this place gives me. Had a lot of good times here with friends,” I said. “The guys at the frat love it, and they’ve had my back, so…”
The owner emerged from the kitchen, eyes lighting up when he saw us. “Ah, boys. What can I get you tonight?”
We put our conversation on hold to order a couple of slices. To my surprise, Parker ordered the veggie pizza and a water. I selected a piece of taco-style pizza with chopped beef, onions, and refried beans, along with a root beer.
I whipped out a twenty before Parker could even think about paying. He glanced at me, but didn’t say anything until we’d slid into a plastic booth near the window.
“You didn’t have to buy my dinner,” he said.
“I wanted to.”
“But—”
“Iwantedto, Parker.”
Wisely, he shut up and cracked the bottle of water, taking a sip. I took a bite of my pizza, savoring the spice of the beef and onions together.
“So, here we are,” Parker said.
“And the world’s still standing,” I agreed.
He smiled tentatively. “Thanks for this.”
I shook my head. “Don’t thank me. Especially not for veggie pizza.” I wrinkled my nose. “Please tell me that isn’t your favorite. I thought you loved spicy food.”
He rolled his eyes. “Yeah, well, if I eat veggie, I can pretend I’m not abandoning the healthy diet Coach has ordered. The final game of the year is coming up. Not that it’s really a big deal, but… You know how he is.”
Oh, I knew. “Every game is an important game,” I said, emulating Coach Jackson’s tone. “Your bodies are temples. If you fill them full of crap—”
Parker finished with me. “—you’ll play like crap!”
We both laughed as I slid my plate across. “What Coach doesn’t know won’t hurt you. Taste this, it’s amazing.”
He looked from the pizza to me. “You’re corrupting me, Simon.”
“Oh, you don’t want to be corrupted? Okay—” I started to pull back the plate, and he grabbed my wrist, stopping me.
“I didn’t say that.”
With a burning hot look, he picked up the pizza and took a bite. Watching him eat my food was something else. I wouldn’t have expected it to affect me, but a blazing heat spread through my chest. This wasn’t sexual. It was…satisfaction. I felt supremely satisfied that I could give Parker food, that I could make him hum with delight as he chewed.
“That’s amazing,” he said when he’d swallowed. “I might have to quit football if it means eating like this all the time.”
