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I can’t say I’ve ever had a teammate I’d be willing to crash with every night we’re on the road. But then, I guess they’re not all hiding a huge secret. They can be themselves and not worry about the truth coming to light.

All it would take is for whoever I’m rooming with to see the hook-up apps I hide on my cell, or a message from a guy, and it would be over.

My breathing increases at the thought of everyone knowing my secret.

The guys aren’t what I’m most afraid of. While I’m sure many would have opinions about playing with a bisexual player, some of which would be less than pleasant, it’s the wider audience that really scares me. The slander and opinions from those I’ve never met. From the masses of people who wouldn’t understand. And it’s not just how that would affect me that’s terrifying; the worst part of it all is that my brothers would be on the other end of it, watching it all play out.

And not just Hux and Ryker. There would be little boys and girls up and down the country watching the story play out, and in turn, making them fear revealing themselves to the world.

It shouldn’t be that way.

But it is.

G: If you’re talking about the one where I’m lying in bed naked waiting for you to return, then I feel really fucking good about it…

A smile twitches at my lips.

Cooper: Yeah?

G: Hell, yeah.

“Fuck,” I breathe before sending him the code to get into my house, excitement bubbling in my stomach.

It’s been two days, Cooper. Seeing him again shouldn’t be this much of a big deal.

But it is.

It’s a really big fucking deal.

I’m trying not to obsess over just how much I’ve thought about Garrett on this road trip, but it’s hard.

Somehow, I’ve gone from not knowing he exists on the planet to thinking about him all fucking day.

I’ve never met a guy who’s infiltrated my life like this.

Leo was a part of my life for a while, but it was never like this.

I never missed him when we were apart. I never once thought about him waiting for me to return home.

Hell, he never stepped foot in my house in Vancouver without me being there, but suddenly, I’m giving Garrett the code and not even second-guessing it.

By the time I’ve packed my stuff up and I’m walking out of my hotel room, it’s becoming more and more obvious that I’ve got a problem. But at the same time, it’s a problem I don’t entirely mind having.

Garrett knows the score. This can’t be anything serious. It’s just a bit of fun.

Just a bit of fun…

The flight from Boston is delayed due to a storm. And then once we’re on the plane and think the worst of the wait is over, we’re forced to sit there for another hour until we’re cleared for takeoff.

By the time we’re in the air, I’m getting impatient as fuck.

“Christ, have you got a chick waiting for you at home or something?” Rovvy teases, getting fed up with my bouncing knee.

Most of the guys are busy with a Mario Kart championship they’ve got going on. It’s probably a great way to waste the time, but I’m way too hyped up to focus on a game.

I need to move, but there’s only so far I can get while trapped inside a plane.

“Or something,” I mutter, keeping my eyes focused out the window.