Page 21 of Slam Dunk
“Text your guy my number and then turn off your phone. You don’t deserve this. I’ll pay to have your number changed tomorrow and don’t worry about covering security. I’ve got it. You don’t have to worry that I’ll refuse their help.”
A sweet smile touched Quince’s lips. “You don’t have to do—”
“I know you don’t drink, baby, but I still ordered champagne. If you’d like something else to toast with, just let me know.”
Jathan swiped his hand up Quince’s thigh beneath the table. “Yeah. I’ll figure it out, since I’m driving and all.”
Quince cut in. “I’ll drive. You celebrate. Not only do you deserve a glass of champagne, you probably need it because I’ve seen those ribs that asshat kept elbowing.”
Jathan’s shoulders fell the second his mom’s gaze sharpened. “What about your ribs?”
“It’s fine. They’re just a little bruised from the season. You know how dirty these guys play anytime they can get away with it.” He squeezed Quince’s knee, silently daring him to keep talking.
Unfortunately, his mom’s momma bear side appeared. “Let me see.”
“Mom, we’re in the middle of a nice restaurant. I’m okay. Pretty soon, I’ll have six long months of healing time.”
She didn’t look appeased, but she dropped it. His phone buzzed as the champagne arrived, along with glasses of ice water. He checked the face.
Unknown number:this is Steel from Steel Security. Quince gave me your number. I have a guy meeting you at eleven at the address provided. His name is German. I’m sending you his picture and info so you’ll know him when you see him.
Jathan:Thank you. Let me know how billing works, and I’ll take care of it.
Jathan saved the number to his contacts.
Steel:Quince has already covered a month of service. If you decide to stick with our company, I’ll be glad to go over the details with you. It’s nice to meet you and I’m sorry you’re going through this. Don’t worry. I only employ the best. We won’t let anything happen to you.
Jathan:I appreciate it.
A wave of relief washed over Jathan.
Steel:You’re more than welcome and congrats on tonight’s win. Huge fan.
A smile exploded across Jathan’s face. He put his phone away and picked up his glass. Jathan shouldn’t have been so stubborn about this. He felt better already. Quince kissed his temple while his mom made a toast. Warmth spread through chest. Everything would be okay. He didn’t need to worry.
Chapter Eight
QuincewatchedJathangothrough every emotion possible throughout the night. He thought maybe he should feel something about hearing from his dad after twelve long years. Maybe he would if the man had chosen anything else at all to say. Of course, he hadn’t, though. That was his old man—a bastard through and through. He hadn’t thought much about his family in a long time. Quince didn’t like looking back on his childhood. His dad had been low key physically abusive and high key mentally abusive. Quince had run for his life at eighteen. Steel was the only reason he had gotten free. They had gone to high school together and had been equally motivated to get the fuck out of their small town. Unlike Quince, Steel had come from money—as far as small-town money went. His dad was the local steel mill owner who employed everyone within fortymiles… so about two hundred people. Steel had been his best friend and had access to all the high-dollar latest technology. His dad had put Steel to work at thirteen. He paid the kid good but worked him half to death. Turned out, whatever that home life was like, it was enough to beef Steel up to six-two and two fifty-five of pure muscle, line his pockets with a huge nest egg, and pay for all the tech skills needed to walk away at nineteen. Since Quince had been right at his side nearly all their lives, he had walked away right next to him. Quince had been Steel’s very first employee. Together, they had landed some huge fucking contracts. Unfortunately, a decade later, everyone knew how that story ended: with a client dead and Quince done with playing hero.
Now here he was again, watching someone’s back while they walked their mom to the door. The thing was, back in the day, Quince had really loved this job. He had honestly thought he was good at it, and he had felt a sense of purpose. It was dangerous, but important. There were real people trapped behind the fame. Good people like Jathan. He didn’t deserve to live in fear, all because he loved basketball and was good at it. But some batshit insane person out there probably thought Jathan made eye contact with him once or sent subliminal messages through his TV screen. Who knew what went on in people’s heads? No matter how it happened, obsessed people did desperate things, and Quince felt more than his old sense of duty. This was personal. Jathan was his. He couldn’t let anyone harm him.
Quince had watched Jathan stop and take more selfies and sign more autographs than usual tonight. The entire time, his heart had been in his throat, wondering if every face he saw was the person who had their sights set on Jathan. The moment theywere alone and locked inside Jathan’s Hummer, Quince was across the seat and on him. His heart needed soothing.
Sometimes, it struck him at the most random moments how much he had changed and how quickly it had happened. All it had taken was the right person and Quince was ready to do everything he had never done and feel all the things he had never felt. He was falling hard as hell for Jathan.
Jathan ran his fingers through Quince’s hair. “We should definitely get back to my place.”
Quince had to force himself to pull away. “Yeah. I need to see how bad those ribs look now.”
A loud snort came from Jathan’s side of the car. “You’re really not going to let this go, are you?”
A huge grin split Quince’s face as he pulled away from Jan’s house. “I’m really not going to let this go. Someone has to look out for you since you won’t.”
“Oh, dang. It’s almost eleven. Steel said that German guy will be at my place then. I’d hope to drag you to bed, but I guess not.”
“He won’t care if we go straight to bed. It’s not your job to entertain him. In fact, if we’re in bed, then he’s free to roam the property or watch TV. Whatever. Maybe he can stake out the garage and catch this person.”
“That is the best-case scenario, really. One night of security and problem solved.”
