Unfair Game: A Gay Sports Romance Novel

by Cecelia Storm

  “Cade, no, it isn’t like that-”

  “Am I blind then? You said you never with-with-him,” Cade hissed, moving fast towards Kyle.

  “Please, Cade, listen-” Kyle said desperately.

  “No!” Cade cut his hand through the air. He was directly in front of Kyle now and he was shaking with anger. “You lied to me.”

  “Cade, just listen to me,” Kyle pleaded.

  “Why the fuck should I?” Cade roared, pushing Kyle hard. Kyle stumbled backwards and Cade turned away, rubbing his hand over his face. “I can’t believe I actually-” He shook his head.

  He sat on Kyle’s bed, head bowed. Frightened, panicking, Kyle quickly sat directly opposite on Cade’s bed. “Please, Cade, listen to me. I’ve never been with Perry. Never ever. He called me to his room today and kissed me. I didn’t know, I swear. I would never lie to you.” He said the words fast, desperate to get them out before it was too late.

  Cade didn’t look appeased by it at all. “You were fucking moaning. I heard you.”

  Kyle flushed. “I - but I’m not lying. I haven’t slept with him.”

  Cade was still furious. “You still fucking lied, though, didn’t you? You want Perry!”

  “No, Cade, I don’t! He kissed me,” Kyle said desperately.

  “Then why the fuck were you moaning? Don’t tell me that wasn’t you!” Cade snapped, eyes flashing. He was so angry even his ears were red.

  What the hell did that mean? So what if Kyle had moaned? He hadn’t lied to Cade, had he? They weren’t together. Why shouldn’t he kiss anyone?

  “What does that matter?”

  “What the fuck do you mean? Of course it fucking matters!” Cade shouted.

  “Why?” Kyle said loudly. “I’m single!”

  Cade looked taken aback. He stared at Kyle, stunned. Something passed quickly over his face and Kyle could have sworn it was hurt. Then he sneered. “Oh, so you two are a thing now? Am I going to have to watch you make out every day now?”

  “We’re not anything. He kissed me once and I came to talk to you about it! Once, Cade!”

  “Oh, should I be thankful? Thank you, Kyle!” Cade exclaimed sarcastically.

  “I don’t understand what your fucking problem is!” Kyle snapped, fed up. “I’m telling you I haven’t lied to you about anything. Why do you even care if I’m with Perry or not? It’s not like you want me, right? So why can’t I be with whoever I want?”

  “When the fuck did you ask me if I wanted you?” Cade spat, fists clenched on his thighs. “You told me five days ago that you wanted me - wait, you didn’t even tell me! I had to find out from Mason! So when did you give me the time, Kyle?”

  Kyle was stunned. He stared at Cade. “I-”

  “Shut the fuck up. I find out my best friend of over a decade feels something for me. I don't even know what or how much or anything. And I’ve been really trying to think about it, to give it a fair chance, to give us a fair chance. I’ve been trying so hard, Kyle! Do you think this is easy for me?”

  Kyle was quiet. “Cade-”

  “I said shut up.” Cade’s voice was shaking now. Anger was draining out of him, replaced by something else. “I wanted- I wanted-” he broke off, shaking his head, looking down.

  Kyle was motionless for a second. He reached for Cade, but Cade knocked his hand aside. “Don’t.” Cade was still shaking his head. “Don’t touch me.”

  Kyle felt horrible. He’d never ever thought of how difficult this must be for Cade. Of how he must be trying so hard to understand Kyle. He’d probably never thought of Kyle that way. And he’d been so kind, so understanding.

  Kyle felt a sick feeling sweep through him. He stared at Cade’s bowed head, miserable, panicking. “Cade,” he whispered, all his longing in one word.

  Cade looked at him then. His eyes were red with emotion, cheeks flushed. “I’m sorry,” Cade said quietly. “You deserve to be happy. If that’s - that’s - him, then I support you.”

  “You know I only want you,” Kyle said hoarsely, his voice cracking as tears flooded his eyes. “You know I love only you.”

  Cade squeezed his eyes shut tight. “No, I don’t know, Kyle. Because you never told me.” His voice wasn’t angry now, just tired and trembling a little.

  Kyle was silent for a minute. “Cade-”

  Cade held up a hand. “Please, Kyle.” He put his face in his hands, overcome with emotion. Kyle felt his vision blurring and tears heating his cheeks.

  When Cade lifted his head and saw the tears, he swore. Immediately, he was on his knees between Kyle’s legs. “Stop,” he whispered. “Why are you crying over me? I’m just an average guy.”

  Kyle gave Cade a watery smile, tears still falling. “I’m sorry,” he choked out. “I didn’t think.”

  Cade hushed him. He wiped Kyle’s tears, smiling.

  Kyle huffed out a short laugh. “But you’re still the best.”

  Cade grinned. “I wish you were the only person who voted. I’d win every year.”

  Kyle laughed softly. “That’s true. Nobody would come for the ceremony though. It’d be just you and me.”

  “I wouldn’t mind,” Cade told him, smiling.

  “Cade,” Kyle said, taking a deep breath, knowing it was now or never. “I love you. I’ve loved you for years and years.”

  It was a moment fraught with emotion. There were still tear tracks down Kyle’s face. Cade’s hair was a wild mess. But Cade leaned forward slowly until his lips touched Kyle’s. “You’re so beautiful,” he said.

  Kyle moaned. Cade’s hand came up to frame his face and he gently bit Kyle’s lower lip. Their mouths danced softly, their bodies hot and trembling against each other. Kyle’s head was swimming. Cade’s mouth was warm and firm. Kyle wanted to touch him, but he was scared and kept his fists clenched by his sides.

  Cade felt no such qualms. His hand was in Kyle’s hair. He tilted his head to the right a little and took Kyle’s lower lip into his mouth, sucking. Kyle gasped, and could taste Cade’s warm breath tracing his tongue. He wondered if a person could faint just from kissing, because it seemed like he was getting dizzy.

  Cade finally stopped to take a breath, his lips were still touching Kyle’s. They were breathing harshly, quickly.

  “Are we okay?” Kyle asked.

  Cade moved back then as if Kyle’s question had punctured the atmosphere. Kyle cursed himself. Cade turned very red almost instantly. He sat on Kyle’s bed, rubbing his knees. He nodded.

  Kyle flushed too, now. What was supposed to happen now?

  Cade seemed to read his mind because he rubbed his neck. “Should we go to bed?” he said. He flushed harder. “I mean go to sleep.”

  How the hell did Cade expect him to sleep after that? But Kyle was suddenly, completely exhausted. He nodded.

  They both got up, blushing, moving carefully around each other so as not to touch each other, even by accident. Kyle climbed into his bed. He switched off the lights with the button by his bed.

  He stared into the darkness for a long time, replaying the kiss over and over again. He felt like it was a dream.

  He didn’t sleep for a long time, and judging by his breathing, Cade didn’t either.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Kyle eyed Cade over his toast. Cade was sitting a few seats down from him, chatting and laughing with Aiden about something Kyle couldn’t quite catch. Cade seemed happy and relaxed. He’d woken up in a great mood and chattered non-stop with Kyle until they’d reached the breakfast table.

  Kyle loved seeing Cade happy. There was absolutely nothing he wanted more.

  But why was he so damn happy today?

  Kyle buttered his toast moodily. He bit into it, getting butter on his lips. Sighing, he wiped his mouth with a napkin and glanced again at Cade.

  Cade was dimpling at Aiden, tossing his head back in laughter.

  Kyle frowned. Couldn’t he at least pretend to be thinking about that kiss? Kyle felt as if his world had been rocked, as if everyt
hing he’d ever known had come to a standstill, and Cade was nudging Aiden as he cracked another joke.

  Really?

  He wanted to throw his toast directly at Cade’s floppy hair. But perhaps their teammates might notice. And he really didn’t want to see Mason’s stupid smirk.

  He looked at Cade again and saw that the idiotic bastard hadn’t even looked once at him. Irritated, Kyle turned purposely towards Perry, sitting directly in front of him, and flashed a brilliant smile. Too late, he realized, that they still hadn’t quite discussed their kiss and that maybe this hot-and-cold behavior would confuse Perry.

  But Perry smiled back, unperturbed. He winked at Kyle and helped himself to more coffee.

  Kyle frowned. Was kissing him so routine that everyone felt they could just go about their own life with not a care in the world?

  Was he that forgettable?

  Or, worse, was his kissing so damn bad?

  For that matter, should he more worried about how he was in the same situation with two teammates? Oh, God, was he the team’s resident whore?

  Kyle cursed himself again. Enough of these ridiculous boys. Fuck them all. He didn’t need them. He was going to concentrate on football and the Championship and none of this bullshit. Cade chose that moment to wink at Kyle across the table before returning to his conversation. Kyle felt more affronted than ever.

  Huffily, he drank his water and chewed his toast with a vengeance. Who did he think he was? Stupid Cade with his stupid magic left foot and his stupid dimples and his stupid round ass.

  Well, perhaps it was better not to think of that particular round ass right now. Kyle shifted a little uncomfortably as his crotch gave a faint sniff of interest. Sternly, he glared at it and it subsided meekly.

  He looked up and saw that Perry was looking at him warily. Trying to act like making faces at his own genitals was nothing, Kyle reached for the orange juice, smiling, and knocked the whole pitcher all over himself.

  Swearing loudly, he stood up. He was soaked from the waist down. The whole table was silent for one second then everyone burst out in raucous laughter. Kyle himself laughed. But the juice had been icy cold and he immediately shivered. The movement rocked his shoulder and he winced, his normal arm coming to cup it.

  Mason was sitting next to him and he was the first one to realize Kyle was in pain. “Is it still hurting?” he said sharply.

  Kyle nodded, trying to look calm, but he felt fear clench his stomach. His shoulder had been sore all morning, but it was screamingly painful now and he gritted his teeth against the spiking sensation, furious with himself. He couldn’t miss the Championship for this. Not another injury. He’d had to sit out most of the World Cup and it had been awful. He couldn’t go through it again.

  Mason stood up. “I’ll come with you.”

  Kyle nodded again, unable to say anything. The rest of their teammates had gone back to talking amongst themselves and as he was about to leave, Cade materialized right next to him.

  “What’s wrong?” he said, frowning.

  Kyle was still holding his shoulder gingerly. “I don’t know.”

  Mason stopped, looking between them both. “Will you take him, Cade?”

  Kyle flushed bright red, knowing what Mason was trying to do. “No,” he said quickly. “Cade, you don’t have to.”

  Cade completely ignored Kyle, looking at Mason and nodding. Mason gently patted Kyle’s good shoulder, winking surreptitiously. Kyle tried hard not to glare at him since Cade was still looking at him in concern.

  They walked back to the elevators, Kyle feeling angry and embarrassed. He didn’t want Cade. Cade was happy talking to Aiden, wasn’t he? Why did he have to butt in? Did he feel sorry for Kyle?

  “Does it hurt a lot?” Cade asked, probably misinterpreting Kyle’s frown.

  Kyle decided a nod would suffice, not meeting Cade’s eyes.

  The doors dinged open and they both stepped inside. Cade pressed their floor and they went up in silence, not looking at each other. When they reached their floor, Cade placed his hand in the small of Kyle’s back as he ushered him out of the elevator and down the hallway.

  Kyle fumed. Cade was treating him like a child. Well, he hadn’t been much of a kid last night when Cade’s tongue was down his throat, had he? He walked a little quicker, trying to escape Cade’s hands. Not looking down, he tripped slightly and, though he righted himself quickly, the movement jarred his shoulder badly and he gasped, pain shooting up his arm and into his shoulder.

  Cade was immediately there, eyes full of concern. “Kyle! Are you okay?”

  Kyle nodded, clenching his teeth against the shimmering pain. He jerked his chin towards the door, just two steps away and Cade hurriedly opened it.

  Kyle stepped inside, freezing, in pain, and thoroughly irritated.

  He went to his suitcase and tried to open it with one hand. Cade came quickly to his side. “I’ll do it.”

  Kyle turned to him instantly. “I can do it myself!” he snapped.

  Cade grabbed Kyle’s wrist and they looked at each other. Cade’s eyes were calm, but Kyle knew he was a little angry. “Kyle.”

  Kyle glared back defiantly.

  “Go and sit down. I’ll get it,” Cade said in a low voice, his tone a warning.

  Kyle jerked his wrist out of Cade’s grasp and stomped over to the bed, partially aware that he was acting like a child, but not caring. Fuming, he sat down with his back to Cade.

  Cade took a few minutes to come back. He made a brief trip to the bathroom, turning the tap on quickly and then returning with a new jersey, pants, a wet washcloth, a towel and - for the love of all that was holy, was that underwear?

  “I am not changing my underwear in front of you!” Kyle said quickly.

  Cade looked at him, amused. “Do you think I’m going to take advantage of you?” he said, raising one eyebrow and smirking.

  Furious, Kyle looked away. Yeah, so Cade wasn’t attracted to him. He didn’t have to be such a jerk about it.

  “Can you stand?”

  Kyle stood, not meeting Cade’s eyes. His heart was suddenly beating a little faster. Cade stepped closer and slipped his fingers under the edge of Kyle’s jersey, his warm fingers burning against Kyle’s cool, slightly damp skin.

  Kyle hated himself for it, but he shivered. He stubbornly continued to look to the right, but he felt Cade’s hands still at Kyle’s reaction. For a second, Cade didn’t move, his fingers simply motionless on Kyle’s bare skin, then Cade lifted the shirt.

  He did it in such a way that Kyle shrugged his normal arm out of the jersey first, then Cade gently maneuvered the jersey over Kyle’s injured shoulder, moving it as little as possible. Kyle still hissed in pain.

  Cade tossed the jersey away and stepped closer. Kyle’s breath stopped until he realized that Cade was looking hard at his injured shoulder. Gently, Cade’s fingers brushed against it. Kyle’s eyes closed, longing for Cade so much it made him weak.

  When he opened his eyes again, he saw that Cade was watching him. He hadn’t stepped back yet. Kyle could feel his heartbeat everywhere, loud and rushing. Cade’s eyes were dark and so intense, he felt as if it was sucking his breath away.

  Slowly, Cade bent down, picking up a wet washcloth and wiping Kyle’s skin, sticky with the orange juice. “I-I can do that,” Kyle said shakily.

  Cade ignored him, finishing and tossing the washcloth away. He rubbed Kyle dry with the towel, taking care not to move his shoulder. Kyle felt his irritation return at this treatment and he bit back a snarky comment.

  Cade seemed to know anyway because he met Kyle’s sullen glance with a smirk. Kyle’s breath came out in a hiss, half-pain, half-irritation. But Cade stopped immediately.

  “What?”

  They were standing so close that Cade’s voice was almost a whisper, not needing to be loud. Kyle felt it vibrate against his skin and he swallowed. He was tired of being this hard around Cade. It was ridiculous that he was erect when his shoulder hurt so much
. Why was his body so unruly?

  “Nothing. Just a little twinge.”

  Cade searched his eyes for a second, then he hooked his fingers into Kyle’s shorts. Kyle closed his eyes, embarrassed that Cade was going to see his hard-on. Cade didn’t make a comment even though it must have been obvious as Kyle stepped out of his shorts.

  “I’ll put the towel around you,” Cade said, voice calm. “I’ll pull it down underneath that. Is that okay?”

  Kyle nodded, looking firmly at Cade’s shirt and not his eyes. He was so embarrassed that he felt he could die.

  Why was God so cruel?

  Cade had to step close to wrap the towel around him and Kyle angled his head away. He felt a sudden huff of laughter against his ear and he snapped his eyes to Cade’s.

  Cade was smiling. “I’m sorry. It’s just-it’s kind of funny.”

  Kyle glared at him. “It’s the opposite of funny. It’s very not funny. Let’s see you deal with this.”

  They were very close, so close that Kyle could see all of Cade’s eyelashes, thick and long and beautiful. Cade grinned. “Be thankful it’s me. What would Mason think?”

  Kyle groaned, closing his eyes in misery. He could hear Cade chuckling as he tied the towel carefully around Kyle. He kneeled down in front of Kyle and slipped his hands up the towel.

  Kyle dropped his head back, looking up. This was it. This was the height of disrespect.

  What next? Would Kyle have to get down on all fours while Cade pressed his crotch against Kyle’s ass?

  What else, universe? Surely, someone up there was enjoying fucking around with Kyle a whole lot.

  Kyle winced as Cade’s fingers hooked into the waistband of his underwear. He pulled it down with a slight amount of difficulty owing to Kyle’s erection. Kyle stepped out of the wet boxers, so humiliated he felt death was more acceptable than this.

  He looked down at Cade’s head. He could see that Cade’s cheeks had reddened and this made Kyle feel a bit better. It would be just plain unfair if he was the only one suffering. Cade wiped his legs as much as he could with the washcloth considering he couldn’t see much because of the towel.