everything I’ve dreamed of. Football is just a way to get what I really want out of life.”
“Have you checked into financial aid?” Chet couldn’t believe he was having this conversation. He should push Bobby to play football. I’m a coach, dammit ! He tried to remind himself.
“It’s possible I could get something next semester, but only because of my mom’s financial situation. Although I do okay in grades, they aren’t near enough to get me an academic scholarship.”
“I don’t think you should quit football, but I can’t make that choice for you,” Chet tried to explain.
“I know. My knee felt pretty good today. Maybe I’ll be okay.”
It was the discussion he’d been avoiding since learning the truth of Bobby’s injury. “Will it change things between us if I decide to play Farley instead of you for the first few games?”
“No. As long as you make the decision based on performance, how can I argue with that?”
“Well, since we’re on the subject, Julian told me Farley knows about us.”
“It’s not just Farely, Chet. That’s what has me worried.”
“I thought you didn’t have a problem with people knowing you’re gay.” Was Bobby starting rethink coming out?
“I don’t, but I have a problem with him talking smack on you because of me.”
Chet threaded his fingers through Bobby’s. “You let me worry about that, okay? I need you to concentrate on building up your speed. Your times are way off.”
“I know. I’m gonna start running every morning with Dane and Chase until classes start. After that it’ll just be me and Chase because Dane has to go in early to kiss Professor Sofokleous’ ass or something.”
Mention of Magnus Sofokleous made Chet uneasy. Although gorgeous beyond compare, Magnus wasn’t the easiest man to get along with, even in bed. “Guess I didn’t realise Dane studied under Magnus.”
Bobby chuckled. “Dane’d love to do anything under Professor Sofokleous, but he’s just working for him this year.” His face turned bright red. “Shit, promise me you won’t tell anyone what I just said. Dane would kill me if he knew I told.”
“I won’t tell anyone, but it might be a good idea to try and subtly steer Dane in a different direction. Magnus isn’t someone Dane should mess with.”
“Why? What’ve you heard about him?” Bobby asked.
Telling tales wasn’t something Chet was comfortable with, especially when he had firsthand knowledge. “You gonna eat or not?” He picked up his own half-eaten burger and took a bite.
“Are we done talking?”
“For tonight. I’d just like to eat my dinner in peace and curl up on the couch with you for the rest of the evening.”
“I’m game.” Bobby smiled and pulled his plate back in front of him.
Chet realised they hadn’t even discussed the fact that Bobby had kept his injury from him. As he chewed his food, Chet wondered if it was worth talking about. Nothing he could say would change what Bobby had done or why he’d felt he had to do it. Once again it went back to the blurred lines between player and boyfriend.
As he reached for the store-bought potato salad, Chet decided to let it go. There were more important obstacles for the two of them to overcome if they were going to make a relationship work.
Chapter Seven
Bobby couldn’t believe the size of the crowd standing in line to get into the stadium. His stomach dropped when he saw more than one fan wearing a red and grey jersey with number thirty-two on the front and back, his number. Although Chet had broken the news to him the previous night, Bobby hadn’t been upset about not starting until the moment he’d spotted those damn jerseys.
“You just get here?” Chase asked, banging on the hood of Bobby’s truck with his fist.
“Yeah.” He’d come to a conclusion earlier in the day that would probably change the way Chase thought about him. “You’re kinda early.”
Chase grinned. “Are you kidding? This is
“Have you checked into financial aid?” Chet couldn’t believe he was having this conversation. He should push Bobby to play football. I’m a coach, dammit ! He tried to remind himself.
“It’s possible I could get something next semester, but only because of my mom’s financial situation. Although I do okay in grades, they aren’t near enough to get me an academic scholarship.”
“I don’t think you should quit football, but I can’t make that choice for you,” Chet tried to explain.
“I know. My knee felt pretty good today. Maybe I’ll be okay.”
It was the discussion he’d been avoiding since learning the truth of Bobby’s injury. “Will it change things between us if I decide to play Farley instead of you for the first few games?”
“No. As long as you make the decision based on performance, how can I argue with that?”
“Well, since we’re on the subject, Julian told me Farley knows about us.”
“It’s not just Farely, Chet. That’s what has me worried.”
“I thought you didn’t have a problem with people knowing you’re gay.” Was Bobby starting rethink coming out?
“I don’t, but I have a problem with him talking smack on you because of me.”
Chet threaded his fingers through Bobby’s. “You let me worry about that, okay? I need you to concentrate on building up your speed. Your times are way off.”
“I know. I’m gonna start running every morning with Dane and Chase until classes start. After that it’ll just be me and Chase because Dane has to go in early to kiss Professor Sofokleous’ ass or something.”
Mention of Magnus Sofokleous made Chet uneasy. Although gorgeous beyond compare, Magnus wasn’t the easiest man to get along with, even in bed. “Guess I didn’t realise Dane studied under Magnus.”
Bobby chuckled. “Dane’d love to do anything under Professor Sofokleous, but he’s just working for him this year.” His face turned bright red. “Shit, promise me you won’t tell anyone what I just said. Dane would kill me if he knew I told.”
“I won’t tell anyone, but it might be a good idea to try and subtly steer Dane in a different direction. Magnus isn’t someone Dane should mess with.”
“Why? What’ve you heard about him?” Bobby asked.
Telling tales wasn’t something Chet was comfortable with, especially when he had firsthand knowledge. “You gonna eat or not?” He picked up his own half-eaten burger and took a bite.
“Are we done talking?”
“For tonight. I’d just like to eat my dinner in peace and curl up on the couch with you for the rest of the evening.”
“I’m game.” Bobby smiled and pulled his plate back in front of him.
Chet realised they hadn’t even discussed the fact that Bobby had kept his injury from him. As he chewed his food, Chet wondered if it was worth talking about. Nothing he could say would change what Bobby had done or why he’d felt he had to do it. Once again it went back to the blurred lines between player and boyfriend.
As he reached for the store-bought potato salad, Chet decided to let it go. There were more important obstacles for the two of them to overcome if they were going to make a relationship work.
Chapter Seven
Bobby couldn’t believe the size of the crowd standing in line to get into the stadium. His stomach dropped when he saw more than one fan wearing a red and grey jersey with number thirty-two on the front and back, his number. Although Chet had broken the news to him the previous night, Bobby hadn’t been upset about not starting until the moment he’d spotted those damn jerseys.
“You just get here?” Chase asked, banging on the hood of Bobby’s truck with his fist.
“Yeah.” He’d come to a conclusion earlier in the day that would probably change the way Chase thought about him. “You’re kinda early.”
Chase grinned. “Are you kidding? This is
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