Can’t Hide My Love (5 page)

“That was amazing,” Preston whispered.

“Oh?”

“I’m not running off—not this time.”

Alec nodded unsure how to take Preston’s declaration. He glanced at the clock beside his bed and groaned. He was going to be late. “Fuck, I didn’t realize the time.”

“Shit, when’s your first class?” Preston asked.

“Nine, but I have a meeting. Give me your phone and I’ll enter my info.”

“Sure. I need yours too then I’ll get out of here. My car is just down the block.”

After exchanging information, Alec reached out and grabbed Preston’s arm. “Hey, I liked what we did this morning.”

The blush was back on Preston’s face, his lips twisting into a shy smile. “Me too.”

He leaned in for a kiss, closing the distance and heating up his desire at the same time. Preston placed his hand on Alec’s chest and moaned. Their kiss ended and Alec shivered, knowing that kissing Preston and doing what they had here in this bed this morning was going to change everything. Maybe he was being a fool thinking that Preston would want more than one night, or maybe he was being a fool for wanting more, but damn, this had been the best sex he’d had in a long time.

Preston had no clue why he’d spent the night in Alec’s bed. The pain from his hangover had him wishing he could take the day off. It was Friday and they had an early game the next day so he had to stick it out and give his trademark inspirational chat to his players, hopefully stirring them to not do what he’d done the night before. They needed to play hard the next day if they had any hope of making the playoffs. It was an impossible goal since they were in a division-two college football program with very few of the team even having a chance of being a walk-on player in the NFL. None of them would be drafted. They had no focus, but still, he wanted them to show up sober and with a good night sleep.

He’d not even mentioned the grade thing to Alec this morning when they’d parted ways. It seemed too weird when he’d kissed Alec goodbye to bring up the problem with his student.

In the harsh light of day, with his hangover throbbing in his brain, he wondered what in the world he’d been thinking. Why had he stayed at Alec’s and not just gone home? It wasn’t just any guy that he’d sucked this morning, but it was Alec-Freaking-Harper—the one guy he’d fantasized about for ages.

He’d never gotten over that kiss or forgotten about it. At one point he’d thought about tracking Alec down and replaying that kiss just to get over it, to prove he wasn’t gay and didn’t like men. Fat lot of good kissing Alec again had done. He wanted more, wanted it all, but fucking Alec-Freaking-Harper would ruin him.

Preston stared into the empty locker room, wondering just how long it would take for some asshole to accuse him of impropriety. He’d never done anything wrong with any of the guys who’d played for him. Sure, some were better looking than others, but he’d never once took advantage of his situation and looked at them when they were naked. He was always careful where his eyes fell and made sure to excuse himself during the post-game showers.

Being a coach was his dream, well, after the dream of playing for the NFL, but that had never really been a possibility. He was lucky to have this job. He wasn’t a great coach, but he was okay. Of course, maybe he wasn’t good enough because he’d never pushed himself. Every day he’d held back, played it careful, tried to keep everything in the proper box, but that had hampered him. It was time for a change.

The door to the locker room opened and a couple of guys came in, tossing their bags onto the floor and plopping down on the benches. They started talking shit and he couldn’t help but overhear.

Preston hated their attitudes. They were kids, and he wasn’t so old that he couldn’t remember how hard it was at that age, but God these guys were drama queens. If he could only find a way to get them to realize how awesome their lives could be if only they would actually be true to themselves and stop fucking around with girls, alcohol, and drugs. They were wasting their time on trivial matters instead of trying work hard.

The boys started talking trash about girls and drinking. He guessed they thought he couldn’t hear. Heat filled Preston and he turned from the window, unwilling to delve deeper into his thoughts about truth for others when he wasn’t willing to live the truth for himself. But he wasn’t living a lie because he wasn’t gay. Having sex with Alec—though they hadn’t really had sex, just some hand jobs and a blowjob—didn’t make him gay.

A knock sounded on his door and he spun his chair around. “Come in.”

Danny, the student he’d gone to Alec about his grades, stepped into his office. “Hi, Coach. I was wondering if you had a chance to talk to Professor Harper?”

Preston grew warm and he had to look away. Embarrassment filled him as he thought about what he’d done. He couldn’t lie to Danny or he might approach Alec on his own. God, he should have thought of this earlier.

“I talked to Professor Harper, he won’t budge.”

“God dammit! Fucking bastard.”

Preston jumped to his feet, anger churning. “Excuse me. Another outburst like that and you’ll find yourself benched.”

Danny stared at him, his mouth open. Preston had to get tougher on the attitudes of his players. He’d thought about it during the summer break, but hadn’t enacted any measures to get them to straighten up. Now he needed to actually make it happen. If he didn’t demand they change, they would only get worse. Some of the biggest offenders were seniors this year and they’d be gone, but the juniors and redshirted players would still be around.

Preston scowled at Danny, his anger getting even hotter. “Get your act together and get your grades up. I don’t care how good you are on the field, if you can’t match that commitment off the field, you won’t be playing. Now go get ready for practice.”

“We play tomorrow,” Danny whined.

“We sure as hell do, and I’m going to make sure you all know it. Shorts, T-shirt, and shoes, now go.”

It was probably the wrong day to start with a new program, but he was tired of the bullshit attitudes. They were going to change or they were out. Every single player whined when they heard they had to put on shorts and run. He didn’t make them run far or too hard, and they weren’t wearing their pads, but he could tell by the disgust on their faces that he’d gotten their attention. Usually, Friday before a game was reserved or game prep. They were going to be pissed at what he was going to say today. It was his fault for being lazy. He may not be the best coach in college football, but he was going to change how things were done. His efforts probably wouldn’t get him an exceptional team, but it might make the guys better people.

After the run he had them gather around. “At tomorrow’s game, you will all be sober. I want lights out tonight no later than ten-thirty. If you come back to the dorm or apartment after ten tonight, I don’t care what your excuse is, you’re not playing in the game. For those of you who live off campus, one of the staff will come by your house or apartment shortly after ten-thirty. You’d best be there. If you lose your scholarship because of drinking or drugs, it is your problem. I won’t cover for any of you. If you need help with your classes, you will get a tutor. You will show up at study hall. We’ve been lax this year, and that is ending. From now on you will earn your grades or you won’t play. Our football program is a joke compared to the rest of the teams in our division, but no more. We’re going to get serious, and it starts right now. If you can’t handle the pressure, I suggest you quit because to succeed in life, you are going to have to overcome tough challenges and work through pressure.”

Silence followed his speech. Not one player made a noise. No groans, no whining or bitching, just quiet. He was going to have to follow through on his threat and that scared the crap out of him. It embarrassed him to no end that he’d actually gone to a professor to beg that one of his players be given a better grade. That was not who he wanted to be, and it sure as hell didn’t make him proud.

The next morning, he found out that two of his star players hadn’t returned to their frat house before curfew. When they showed up at the field house the next morning their eyes were red and puffy. It looked like they tried to cover their tracks by using eye drops, but the effects of their late-night partying was very visible.

It pained him to make the two guys sit on the sidelines for the entire game, but he had to start somewhere. That they lost the game made it even more painful. After they’d finished and the team cleared out of the locker room, Preston headed home and dropped into his favorite chair, finding no comfort in the shows on television or music on Pandora. His phone rang and he checked the caller ID. His heart started racing when he saw that it was Alec.

“Hey,” he said as he lifted the phone to his ear.

“Bad game today?”

“God, it sucked.” He chuckled and leaned the chair back, popping out the footrest and sinking into the seat.

“Have you eaten?” Alec asked.

“No.”

“Do you want to go grab something?”

His palms grew damp at the suggestion. He didn’t know if he could go out with Alec. What would people think?

“Or I could pick something up and we could eat in. I bet you’re exhausted.”

He jumped at the excuse, not wanting to reveal the real reason he didn’t want to go out to Alec. “We could curl up on the couch after we eat and watch a movie or something.”

“So you want to snuggle together?”

His face heated as he realized that he really did want to hold the man and maybe do more. God, he was so confused. Why did he want to get close to another man? He should tell Alec to stay away, but that was not what he did.

“Yeah, I do.”

Alec didn’t say anything for a moment. “Okay, I’ll pick something up and be over there in about thirty to forty-five minutes.”

“I’m looking forward to it.”

After giving Alec his address, Preston hung up the phone and stared at the receiver. He needed to shower first, then he’d pick up the mess, not that his apartment was trashed, but it wasn’t as clean as he wanted.

The hot water felt good running down his body, and he took longer than he’d intended to. With only his underwear on, Preston began tossing soda cans into the recycle bin and throwing away all of the trash that he’d planned to get to on Sunday.

He looked around, surveying the kitchen and main room, happy with how it looked. Rain had started falling about ten minutes earlier and it was getting worse as the wind picked up and whipped through the trees. He hoped Alec could see the street signs in the dark.

The doorbell rang and he glanced down, realizing that he only had his boxer briefs on. If he went to get dressed, it would take too long. He’d been intimate with Alec, but he didn’t want to set the wrong tone. Dang it, he should have pulled on more clothes before he started picking up.

Thunder crashed just as another ding from the front bell sounded. He sighed, resigned to the fact that he’d have to answer the door in his underwear. He paused with his hand on the knob, wishing that he’d thought this through better. Preston pulled open the front door about an inch and peeked out. Alec looked amazing in jeans and a black T-shirt. He had a red sweater thrown over his arm and a bag of food in his hands.

“Are you going to let me in?” Alec asked.

“Um, I’m running a little late.”

Alec’s eyes narrowed and he glanced down before a wickedly evil grin twisted his lips. “Are you naked?”

“No.” Preston’s whole body went hot.

“Show me.”

Preston glanced away, unable to hold Alec’s gaze. He couldn’t believe that he’d opened the door with nothing but his underwear on. The rain continued to come down and Preston watched as the wind shifted, blowing a sheet of rain halfway across his patio. Alec would be wet and the temperature was dropping—well, he’d be wetter than he already was if Preston didn’t let him in.

“Come on, open the door and let me see what you’re wearing,” Alec begged.

“Um, this is so embarrassing.”

“Just open up, I swear I won’t—hell, I’m going to say something inappropriate no matter what, but you have to show me.”

Lightning struck close and thunder boomed. He couldn’t force Alec to stay outside any longer so he opened the door, shielding himself so no one outside would see him. As the door swung shut, Alec let out a low whistle.

“I’ll go put some—”

Alec had placed the food on the entry table and grabbed him, looping his arms around Preston’s waist. His back was to Alec and Preston couldn’t see his face.

“Damn, how often do you workout?” Alec slid his hands down Preston’s chest to his abs and lower, brushing softly over his hips. “I didn’t get a good enough look at you the other morning, but hot damn, you are built.”

Preston groaned, fighting to keep his dick from growing too hard. He was already mortified, and now Alec would be able to see just how hard he was. Not that it really mattered, but he wasn’t used to the idea of getting hard for a guy.

Alec pushed him against the door, pressing his whole body against Preston’s. “Fuck, so nice.” Alec began rocking his hips, brushing his bulge over Preston’s crack.

“I should get dressed,” Preston said.

The brush of lips over his neck made him shiver, and goose bumps broke out over his shoulders. Alec pressed in harder, the swaying of his hips more insistent.

“Are you cold, is that why you want to get dressed?”

“Mmm, no. I’m kind of warm now.”

Alec continued to rock his hips as he slid his fingers under the waistband of Preston’s boxer briefs and over his hips.

“How’s that?” Alec asked.

“So fucking good.” Preston leaned his head back and turned his face just enough to slide his lips over Alec’s mouth. They were kissing, Alec’s tongue was in his mouth, insistent and demanding. His heart swelled and his breath came in gasps. He liked the slide of Alec’s hand on his body and the brush of his stubble on his chin. Preston didn’t want to fight the urges anymore. Being with Alec felt right.

He turned, wrapping his arms around Alec, pressing in hard, trying to get enough of the man. The feel of hard muscles under his fingers was foreign but delicious. Alec wove his fingers into Preston’s hair and tugged as he pulled his mouth away.