Page 7 of Sliding into Love
Gillies gives a stuttered laugh as he expels all the air he took in quickly. Shaking his head, he drops into the seat beside me.
“You’re no fun.”
“I’m plenty of fun. Just don’t need to draw attention to myself at every turn,” I reply.
He rolls his eyes as he nabs the bottle of water from my tray. “You used to be fine drawing attention to yourself. That’s exactly how you wound up foot-in-mouth with the person of your dreams.”
I groan and cut my eyes over to Bellamy. He’s staring at me while Finn goes to town on a muffin the size of his head.
“We cannot talk about that right now.” I keep my tone low as I tilt my head towards the couch as discreetly as possible.
Never one to pick up a hint, Gillies looks right over. His eyes widen, then he’s up and moving over to the couch without a care.
“Bellamy Bellport! Is that you? I’ll be,” he says all slow and drawn out. “Fancy meeting you here.”
“My little one wanted a snack after practice. Couldn’t resist stopping by.” Bellamy shakes Gillies’s hand, then motions toward me. “Why don’t you two join us? We’d love the company.”
Finn nods around another mouthful of food. Of course, he would. He’s like the angel baby of the universe. That’s what the media says anyway. He’s the soft and sweet to Bellamy’s big and strong.
I sigh softly, then resign myself to whatever happens next. Hopefully my friend won’t be a dick and overshare with Bellamy the feelings I have for a certain sibling of his.
We make small talk for a few minutes, thankfully with nothing too personal coming into play. I drop my guard, happy to just hang out with people who understand my lifestyle—both the family money part and the sports team part. It’s rare to find anyone who gets both sides.
“This year is going to be a big one. You’re sure you’re ready for what comes next?” Bellamy asks when there’s a lull in the conversation.
I shrug as I focus on his features. He’s not asking to be mean. There’s genuine worry underneath his kind smile. I know because it’s the same look he’d shoot Royce after a run-in with me when we were kids. I’d always watch from around the corner as Bellamy consoled them.
“I’m as ready as I can be. The team deserves the best, and I’m sure the Bellports can give them that.”
Proud of my answer, I jolt when Bellamy and Gillies both break into laughter. They share some kind of look I don’t understand. I’m not even sure I want to understand it. Instinct tells me it’s only to make fun of me.
“Sorry to cut the comedy sketch short, but we’ve got to run. I’ve got an early morning tomorrow.”
Neither of us mention that it’s still fairly early in the day. The real reason he’s leaving isn’t my business. He might really be the type that needs to relax in the evening before bed.
Finn waves, giving a soft-spoken, “Goodbye” as they head out.
“They’re a cute couple. Complete opposites, but cute as fuck,” Gillies tells me after they’ve cleared the door.
I snort a laugh, then shake my head. “I think opposites is what the family goes for. Carmen’s married to that super shy guy, and Jake’s got two boyfriends last I heard. They don’t do anything half-assed.”
“Well, if they’re into opposites, you might still be in luck. Because the opposite of Royce might just be you,” he teases.
I fight the shiver his words bring forth. It’s too far-fetched a dream to even consider. No matter how long I’ve wanted Royce to be mine, they simply can’t be. I’ve burned that bridge so fucking bad, I don’t see how it can be mended.
But if I were the wishing type—you know the shooting star, lucky penny, wishing well type—then I’d spend every single one to get a shot at forever with them. Royce Bellport is everything I could want in a partner. And I, Kenneth Meyer, am everything they don’t.
CHAPTER THREE
ROYCE
I buttonmy suit jacket as I make my way into the press room for today’s meeting. It’s the first time I’ll be in front of the team. I’ve gone all out to make sure they know exactly who I am from the jump. Most of them will recognize my last name. I’ve learned to deal with it through the years.
But I’m so much more than a Bellport.
I’ve got my own ideas, my own plans for the future. Plans they’ll either need to follow through with or accept that a potential trade is in their future.
This isn’t about me being a dictator. It’s about turning this team into one of the greats, by whatever means necessary.
