“It seems stupid to be on summer break, no practices, no travel, and yet here Cross and I are, two thousand miles apart. And then when the season starts, we’ll be back to trying to match up days off.”
“Long distance sucks. Are you thinking about heading back to Portland?”
“I want to. Like, wow. But I don’t have the housing allowance for the summer, and I’m not likely to find a temporary job that will cover West Coast rent.”
“Wouldn’t Cross let you stay with him?”
“I’m sure he would.” Rusty picked at the label on his beer. “That changes things, though, right? If I’m living off him. Makes it tougher to be equals, and I’m already fighting hard to seem like his match.”
“Hm. Makes sense.” Scott tilted his head. “Listen, I have a condo in Portland that just sits empty in the summer. No way am I leaving my guys and the ranch when I don’t have to. I was planning a couple of trips in the next two months to check on it, but if you wanted to hang out there, I wouldn’t have to worry. You could save me air fare.”
Rusty frowned. “Is that for real, or a way to make me accept a gift?”
“A bit of both.” Scott’s smile was charming, even to someone who preferred one specific older guy. “There’s one trip in August I can’t skip. I have some sponsor meetings with my agent. I’d need to stay a couple of days. But I had thought I’d probably also go for a couple of days in June and July, just to make sure there were no problems. I havenoproblem skipping those trips if you’re there.”
Rusty had sworn, the first time Scott offered him money last summer, that he was going to be as independent as possible. He could be friends with the guy making three mil in salary and not be a leech or take it for granted. The ranch job was real work. He put in the hours for the pay and his muscles told the tale. Was the condo different from taking money for nothing?
He couldn’t afford to pay any rent that wouldn’t be peanuts to Scott. It was a ridiculous bargain he hadn’t earned.
On the other hand, if the place was sitting there empty… “You wouldn’t, like, Airbnb it?”
“A stranger in with all my things? No way.” Scott popped the cap off one of the beers and drank. “I trust you not to sell my stuff on eBay.”
“Might have to if I don’t find a job,” Rusty joked, although his stomach still felt unhappy at the idea. “Pillowcase drooled on by Scott Edison. DNA proof included.”
“Fuck you. Even though we lost, I did my laundry. Well, other than the stuff I hauled home to wash here.” Scott sucked down some more beer and pushed away from the counter. “I need to bring these brews up before Casey comes looking for me. Let me ask around, though. Some of the guys stay in Portland for the summer. Maybe they know someone looking for help. A summer camp or driving kids around or something? You okay with kids?”
“I like kids.” Rusty kept his voice steady. He hadn’t seen his younger brothers and sisters for a year. Stevie would be seven now. There was a lot of growing up done between six and seven. Would Stevie be starting to forget him? Was he forgetting Mike?Fuck.
Scott must’ve noticed something, because he bumped Rusty’s shoulder as he went past. “You’ve got family here with us and we’ve got your back. I’ll let you know what I find.”
“Thanks.” Rusty stayed put, turning his beer around in his hands, until he heard Scott reach the top of the stairs, pad down the hallway, and go into the main bedroom. When the door thumped shut, he made his way up to his own room, the ballgame, and a video call he hoped would be worth putting hisearbuds in for, even if just to keep Cross’s occasional fond word to himself.
Chapter 22
Cross struggled with his crutches, fighting to get up the step from his sunken living room and down the hall to the front door. He knew who was out there. Security alerts and a video doorbell made sure of that. What hedidn’tknow was what the hell Rusty was doing on his doorstep. They’d texted just last night and there’d been no hint of any changes.
He pulled the door open. “What’s wrong?”
“Does something have to be wrong for me to come see my boyfriend?” Rusty shifted the battered backpack on his shoulder. “Hi.”
“Hi.” Cross fought the impulse to pull him close and kiss him. A blah day was suddenly bright with promise. And irritation, because WTF? “Some warning would’ve been good. I might’ve been out.” Not that he went anywhere much. His physio came to the house, where a room was now well-equipped thanks to Marie buying everything the physio might need and having it delivered without asking. Cross really only left for medical appointments, but he didn’t need Rusty to know he was that pathetic.
“I have games on my phone. I could’ve waited.” Rusty tilted his head. “Do I get to come in?”
“Sure. Of course.” Cross pulled the door wide.
Rusty smiled as he ducked past but didn’t kiss Cross till the door was shut. Then he caught his shoulders and leaned in slowly.
Fuck slowly.Cross grabbed Rusty’s head between his hands, thumping him on the hip accidentally with a dangling crutch, and hauled him down for an open-mouthed kiss. The taste of Rusty’s mouth and his living strength under Cross’s hands did something odd to his head, like the world suddenly tuned in brighter and clearer. Cross kept kissing him, hot and wet, leaning closer, until his ankle twinged from the position shift and he had to clutch Rusty’s arm instead.
Rusty caught him with a quick arm around his waist. “Couch, maybe?”
“Good thought.” He liked that Rusty immediately let go and simply followed his creaky steps to the living room.
Cross sat on the couch, set his crutches to one side, and turned to Rusty.Why is he here?He clenched his teeth, determined to make nice. “Did you fly? Drive? Do you want anything from the kitchen?”
“I’m good. I drove, and I’ve been stuffing myself with junk food and sodas for the last three days. Although, uh, not romantic, but bathroom?”
