Page 34 of The Head Game

“Well, I assume it’s yours.”

“Yes, yes, everything’s my fault. So what’s up? Looking for a second go of it?”

“No!” August protested. “Good lord. Why would I have sex with you again? Once was a terrible choice.”

“Well, I enjoyed it.”

August bit back the urge to admit he’d enjoyed it too. For all of his feigned indifference after, he had to admit, Nico knew what he was doing in bed.

August had planned to leave while Nico was in the shower but his knees had still felt a little wobbly and he’d been enjoying the mental quiet that had come with the release.

But he didn’t have to blow up Nico’s ego even more.

“Whether we enjoyed it or not isn’t the point,” August stressed. “We can’t do it again.”

“God you’re boring.” Nico sighed. “So responsible.”

“Someone has to be. What are we going to do about the JockGossip crap?”

“The same thing I do every time they mention me. Nothing.” Nico sounded amused. “If you try to respond, they only get worse.”

“For fuck’s sake, take something seriously for once in your life, Arents! This is my career we’re talking about.”

“And as I mentioned, you weren’t in the damn article. And no, even though the team’s PR department is begging for your name, I haven’t outed you.”

“I’m not in the closet,” August protested.

“Well, I didn’t know that. And I meant more generally. I haven’t outed you as my secret lovahhh,” he drawled.

August groaned. Why in God’s name had he had sex with a guy who said shit like that?

Oh right, he’d been horny and lonely.

A terrible combination. Good thing he’d learned his lesson. He’d certainly never do that again.

“Seriously.” The teasing tone dropped from Nico’s voice. “I wouldn’t rat you out to Kate or anyone else. I wasn’t sure how out you were and you deserve that privacy. I don’t do that shit to any queer person. Oh, I’m sorry. LGBTQ+ since I know you’re sensitive to that.”

Somehow Nico managed to be annoying even when he was doing something thoughtful.

“Everyone knows I’m gay,” August said stiffly. “I never made an official announcement but the league has known since I started refereeing games. I—I never wanted to be closeted.”

It was why he hadn’t pursued a pro playing career.

All he’d ever wanted was a peaceful life with a man he didn’t have to hide. He’d been sixteen when he’d made that decision and he’d never regretted it.

His relationship with Daniel had been the final piece in that puzzle.

And now Daniel was married to someone else and August was on the gossip blogs for hooking up with a player.

What had his life become?

“Auggie?”

August blinked. “What? And I told you not to call me that.”

“I don’t listen very well.”

“Tell me something I don’t know,” August muttered.

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