Page 35 of Hot Receiver

“Because getting him out of the way wasn’t enough. Backwhen we were in college, his cocksucking ways fucked up the dynamic of the team. He was weak, Harrison. He shouldn’t have been on the squad. That blow to his leg proved it. If he belonged with us, he’d have stayed. But he ran with his dick between his legs because he was scared.”

“You bullied him,” I say in a low voice, avoiding Anna’s pained gaze. “You made sure he wasn’t covered on that play, left the path clear for UCLA’s outside linebackers to pummel him.”

“‘I’d have fought for my spot,” Brett sneers. “I’d have never let anyone run me away from the game I loved. So, maybe he just didn’t love it hard enough. Or maybe he was just a pussy.”

“You completely destroyed him, and you took away the thing he loved most.”

Brett lets out a sharp laugh. “Since when are you his fucking knight in shining armor? I mean, that press conference was such a joke, brah. All that bullshit about him being so strong in the face of adversity. He fucking crumbled. You were talking out of your ass.”

“He left because he didn’t think he had any allies on the team. You made sure that nobody had his back anymore. And it almost cost us the season.”

“Until I made sure he wouldn’t drag us down anymore. And if memory serves, you cut him off, too. So don’t get all high and mighty in your fucking ivory tower.”

I roll my eyes and press a hand to my forehead. My God, why does this fucking idiot have to be the one who knows my dirtiest secret?

“You wanted him out of the way. You were jealous,” I growl.

Zak was just better; he was a whole other level kind of good. Travers knew it, and he wanted to get Zak out of the spotlight.

And even though I was on the bench for that play, I’m just as guilty as Travers.

Doesn’t matter that I tried to stop him when I overheard his fucking plans to hurt Zak.

“Yeah, so fucking what? We all do whatever shit we need to take care of ourselves, don’t we, Harrison?” His threat hangs in the air like a toxic cloud, always following me, always reminding me. “You know that better than anyone.”

I punch the wall. I knew it then, and I know it now.

“You’d better not forget it, either. If you wanna cozy up to your new owner, I don’t give a fuck. But always remember what I know, and that if you open your mouth about what happened, I’ll sing like a goddamn canary. Just remember, Matt, I’ve got the video to back it up.”

Chapter 16

Zak

Isquirm in the chair in Marc’s office like I’m a grade school kid sitting in the principal’s office waiting for a punishment.

Marc lets out a deep sigh and exchanges a look with Jake Parsons, the team’s GM, before looking back at me. “How’s your mom doing?”

“She’s okay.”

Lies.Mom is completely panicked to the point where I had to hire a private security firm to keep an eye on her. Guilt gnarls my gut. I’m responsible for my dad’s death. I won’t let anything happen to my mother because of my stupid decisions. I’ve already made enough of those in this lifetime.

Marc lifts an eyebrow and folds his hands in front of him. I know exactly what that move means. He’s trying hard to contain his annoyance, and thinks if he squeezes his hands together hard enough, it’ll keep shit inside instead of spewing from his mouth. He’s a publicist. I’ve seen him do this plenty of times before, especially at televised press conferences. Christ only knows, he’s had enough crap to keep his mind occupiedtwenty-four-seven with this team over the past months and now, with me.

I throw my hands into the air. “Okay, fine, she’s freaked out about what’s happening. She’s scared for my life because she believes there’s a goddamn witch hunt for my blood.”

“If you keep behaving like this, she won’t be wrong.” He levels me with a long, hard stare.

“What am I supposed to do?” I spring out of the chair and start to pace in front of his desk. “Just let the world think that I’ll sit back and let these people say whatever they want and do whatever they want with no consequence to them? That I’m going to cower because I’m afraid? That I can’t stand up for myself? What about my goddamn rights?”

Jake rubs the back of his neck. “Look, Zak. We understand why you threw that first punch. And so do the authorities, which is why your lawyer was able to get you off the hook. Your mom was in danger, and you were acting on her behalf to keep her safe from someone who was clearly a threat. Luckily, there were enough witnesses to corroborate your story this time because your mother is well known in the city.”

Anger boils my blood when I think of Mom’s face pinched with fear when that jackass grabbed her. Spouting hate at me is one thing, but bringing my mother into it? There was no way I was letting that go. Nobody has a right to lay a finger on her or accuse her of being anything other than an incredible parent just because I’m gay.

“I can’t let people see me as weak. I won’t. And trust me, it won’t be good for the team, either.”

“That’s the thing, Zak.” Jake clears his throat. “You talk about the team and morale, but nobody really believes give a damn about any of that. It seems to be all about…you.”

My eyes fly open wide. “Where the hell didthat come from?”

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