Unfair Game: A Gay Sports Romance Novel

by Cecelia Storm

  He tacitly avoided the crotch and Kyle silently thanked God that Cade wasn’t pushing it. He’d put up with a sticky crotch, thank you very much. Cade picked up the clean underwear and held it out as if Kyle was a child, indicating that Kyle should step in. Kyle put a hand on Cade’s shoulder for balance and stepped in resentfully, cursing his friend. Cade pulled it up as quickly as he could under the towel without dislodging it.

  Cade looked up at Kyle. “Can I remove the towel now?”

  “Sure, why not? You’ve been doing what you feel like for some time now,” Kyle muttered bitterly.

  Cade laughed. He removed the towel and froze as Kyle’s erection appeared directly in front of his face. Kyle felt his cock lurch obviously in his underwear. He pressed a hand against Cade’s face, trying to push him to the side so he wouldn’t look. “Please,” he groaned.

  Cade obediently bent his head downwards, but he seemed to need a moment to recover. His hands were shaking a little, Kyle was pleased to see, when he held out the pants in front of Kyle.

  Kyle stepped into them quickly and Cade stood, pulling them up. Kyle made the mistake of looking at Cade and he felt his stomach flop. Cade was looking so intense, his eyes so fierce, that Kyle was mesmerized.

  “Cade,” he breathed, unable to stop himself.

  But Cade shook his head as if he was trying to come back to his senses. He picked up the fresh jersey and carefully helped Kyle into it, his movements efficient and rapid. Kyle’s heart was still racing, but he was calmer now.

  When Kyle was fully dressed, Cade stepped back. He was breathing a little harder too, but otherwise was his usual cool self.

  “Are you good? Should we go?”

  Kyle nodded and they left the room, making their way to the training ground in silence. Kyle’s cheeks were on fire, and he was still hard as hell.

  In other words, just a regular day in Kyle’s life.

  ***

  Kyle woke up to Cade gently nudging him awake. He blinked up at him in confusion for a second, then smiled. “Hey.”

  Cade was smiling, too, eyes slightly crinkled in worry. “Hey yourself. How’s the shoulder?”

  Kyle had been told not to train with the rest of the group because of the pain. He’d instead done some light workouts with the team physiotherapist. They’d placed hot towels and ointment on his shoulder and he’d left early. He’d put the TV on when he came back to the room, but the warm room and the sunshine had made him sleepy.

  “It’s actually much better,” Kyle said, yawning and stretching his shoulder gingerly.

  “Good. I got you some coffee.”

  Kyle smiled. He drank some in thanks and then set it aside for later. Cade was looking fresh and cool after having had a shower. He smelled good too, of lavendar soap and shampoo.

  “I missed you today,” Cade said, poking Kyle’s side.

  “Did you?” Kyle grinned.

  “Yeah. It was so quiet.”

  Kyle raised his eyebrows. “And…?”

  “And what?”

  “What else did you miss?”

  Cade quirked his lips in amusement. “Your terrible passes.”

  Kyle huffed. “Cade!”

  Cade laughed. “Okay, okay. I missed warming up next to you.”

  Kyle rolled his eyes. “Fine.”

  “I’m serious! Every time I warm up next to you, I feel - I feel good. Like everything’s going to be okay.” Cade’s cheeks were a little red.

  Kyle flushed, going briefly silent. He’d always been terrible in emotional situations and this was no different. “What about my hot body?” he blurted. Humor had been his escape for as long as he could remember.

  Cade tilted his head, smiling. “Eh. Aiden was there.” His eyes were warm, teasing.

  Kyle blushed. So Cade had known! “Shut up,” Kyle grumbled, picking at the sheets.

  Cade grinned. “You do know you’re my best friend, right?”

  “Yeah,” Kyle said in a small petulant voice.

  “And that I love you, right?”

  “Mm.”

  They ordered room service and Cade treated Kyle like a baby. He fussed and fretted over him, tucking him in, getting water and putting food on a plate and then setting it on his lap. Kyle was secretly pleased, but he felt obliged to be as grouchy and pouty as possible.

  Cade seemed more amused by this than anything else, and he indulged Kyle in all his whining. They ordered a horror movie on the TV and Cade climbed into bed with Kyle, balancing his own plate of food in one hand.

  They ate slowly, laughing at all the so-called scary scenes. After a while, plates tucked away, Cade lowered the volume a bit and turned to Kyle.

  “You okay? Need anything?”

  Kyle pondered this. “Ice cream.”

  Cade raised an eyebrow. “You’re not supposed to be eating ice cream.”

  “Then why did you ask?”

  Laughing, Cade settled down in the bed, raising the volume again. He spoke over the screaming, “If you want anything reasonable, tell me.”

  Kyle decided it was best not to respond. Cade definitely hadn’t intended that to be sexual and it wasn’t his fault that Kyle’s mind was basically that of a horny teenager’s.

  But Cade was insistent. He nudged Kyle. “Did you hear me?”

  Kyle grinned, deciding to laugh it off. “Yeah, whatever I want. Got it.”

  Cade didn’t laugh and Kyle looked at him, puzzled. He saw Cade’s eyes were suddenly arrested, his expression serious and intent. Kyle felt his breath hitch, but attempted a smile. “What? Did I get it wrong?”

  Cade shook his head. “No. You’re absolutely right,” he said quietly. He looped his hand suddenly around Kyle’s neck, tangling in his hair, and pressed a quick kiss on his cheek.

  Kyle flushed immediately, but kept his eyes trained forward. Cade removed his arm right away and for a while they watched the movie in silence.

  Kyle lounged lower on the bed, stretching his arms above his head in abandon, trying to fake his mind into being calm. He looked at Cade out of the corner of his eye. Cade was looking delicious, the white T-shirt stretching over his biceps in a way that made Kyle sigh.

  He pictured removing the T-shirt and kissing Cade's chest, and Cade turned his head abruptly and caught Kyle staring. He decided to brazen it out. He raised his eyebrows and flashed a brilliant smile.

  Cade seemed amused. “See something you like?”

  Kyle nodded, jokingly leering at Cade. “You know I do.”

  Cade rolled his eyes, half-smiling. “When are you not horny?”

  The answer came off Kyle’s tongue faster than he could think. “When you’re not in bed with me.”

  Cade was still smiling, but his eyes were serious and absorbed. “Oh, really?” he asked absently, his eyes searching Kyle’s face.

  Kyle nodded, feeling suddenly shaky. He looked away at the TV, wondering what on earth was happening. He’d totally lost the plot of the movie. Taking a deep breath, he concentrated hard, aware that Cade was still looking at him.

  For a long second, Cade continued to gaze at Kyle. Then Kyle suddenly felt Cade’s fingers slipping in between his. His heart began to pound but he said nothing as Cade intertwined their hands, their palms flush against each other.

  The rest of the movie was an absolute mystery. Cade continued to watch and make comments to which Kyle attempted to reply sensibly, but he was lost. His whole world had come down to their hands, to Cade’s fingers brushing his, to Cade’s thumb occasionally stroking his knuckles.

  He was also hard and leaking onto the sheets, but he bent his knee enough to keep Cade from looking. Kyle’s hand burned hot throughout the movie and he could feel Cade’s fingers as if they were touching him everywhere, the soft brushes making his heart pound.

  When the movie was over, Cade switched it off, laughing at the ending. He was still holding Kyle’s hand though their palms were both sweaty. “Are you okay?” he said, noticing Kyle was still staring at the TV.


  Kyle nodded, smiling quickly. “Just thinking about the movie.”

  Cade laughed. “What’s to think about? It sucked.”

  Kyle forced a smile. “Yeah, just thinking about how you made me waste hours of my life.”

  Cade grinned. “Oh and me watching your stupid romantic movies weren’t a waste?”

  “Those were classics!” Kyle said, outraged.

  “Well, it was boring as hell.”

  Kyle sniffed. “I can’t help it if you have no taste.”

  Cade chuckled. “Okay, time to get to bed. You okay? Need anything?”

  Kyle shook his head. Cade was still holding his hand. Wildly, he thought that maybe Cade intended to sleep with him.

  But Cade simply leaned forward, pressing his cheek lightly against Kyle’s as a good night kiss. He let go of Kyle’s hand and slipped into his own bed, pulling up the covers.

  “Good night,” he called.

  Kyle switched off the light, burrowing deeper in his sheets. “Night.”

  He thought that it was lucky he’d had such a long nap that afternoon because he knew he wasn’t going to get much sleep now.

  Not when his hand was still on fire.

  And his was cock still so hard.

  Part 2

  The Penalty Kick

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  When Kyle woke up the next morning, he felt unaccountably happy. He couldn’t remember why for a few moments, until he remembered Cade holding his hand throughout the movie. Smiling uncontrollably, he groped for his phone in the dim light.

  It was time to get up. They had to travel for their next match today and he hadn’t packed last night. Neither had Cade. He’d better wake him up, too. He threw open the curtains. Cade was still sleeping soundly and he sat on the edge of the bed. He gently shook him.

  Cade came awake quickly, turning to look at him, yawning. “Is it time?”

  Kyle nodded, feeling a wave of affection. Cade looked so sweet, stretching, rubbing his eyes. “We forgot to pack yesterday.”

  “Mm.” Cade smiled sleepily, then yawned again.

  Unable to help himself, on impulse, Kyle leaned forward and pecked Cade quickly on the lips. They both froze in shock at the kiss, staring at each other.

  Kyle made to get up, flushing. “Sorry, I didn’t-”

  Cade caught his hands, pulling him back, even while he continued to lie down. “No. Sit. I should be the one apologizing considering my morning breath,” he said, smiling.

  Kyle felt warmth spread through him. “That’s true,” he grinned. “Good thing I didn’t use tongue.”

  Cade laughed. “Now I wish I had brushed my teeth,” he said teasingly.

  They were still holding hands, fingers interlinked. Kyle felt as if something inside him was soaring. Whatever this was, it made him happy. “Well, now you know.”

  “I’ll set my alarm earlier tomorrow.” Cade’s eyes were warm and full of affection.

  “Well, we’re going to be late if you don’t get up now. Up, up.” Kyle tugged lightly on Cade’s hands and he got up, groaning, and dragged himself to the bathroom.

  For the first time in his life, Kyle started packing with a huge smile on his face.

  ***

  They went directly to the team bus after finishing breakfast, taking their bags along. Kyle moved to the back of the bus, looking for a seat next to a window. He sat and Cade plopped down next to him. They were surprisingly comfortable with each other considering the number of somewhat non-platonic incidents that had happened between them in the last few days.

  Kyle sent a prayer up in thanks. He’d never thought that Mason revealing his secret would turn out so… well. He smiled, thinking of their kisses. Two now! He glanced at Cade and saw him frowning towards the front of the bus. Kyle had a sudden impulse to hug him, but restrained himself, instead looking out at the crowd of fans around the bus. He waved at a few, posing for some photographs through the glass.

  When everyone had sat and the bus had started moving, Kyle pulled out his phone. He showed Cade some videos of Jack. Cade bent close to watch, his shoulder leaning heavily on Kyle’s good one, the pressure warm and sweet. They argued playfully about whose child was cuter, better, smarter. Cade was insistent that Sam was the most handsome baby in the world and Kyle was sure that Jack was the most intelligent.

  They were in the middle of laughing about some joke when Perry, sitting across the aisle from Cade, leaned forward, interrupting them. “Hey, Cade. Is it okay if we switch? Just wanted to talk to Kyle for a little while.”

  The atmosphere got so tense so fast it was astonishing. Cade stiffened, but only Kyle could tell because their thighs were touching. Kyle felt his heart speed up and, for one mad second, he wanted to say no to Perry. But common sense prevailed and he held his tongue.

  Cade, for his part, nodded immediately. He stood up, letting Perry slide over, and claimed Perry’s old seat, sitting next to a sleeping Aiden. He took out his phone and started to aimlessly browse, his face blank.

  Kyle felt extremely uncomfortable as Perry shifted closer. “Hey, man.”

  Kyle smiled, trying to act normal. “Hey, Perry. What’s up?”

  Perry nodded. “I wanted to talk to you about that… night,” he said, voice lowered. “I don’t want things to be weird between us. It was just an impulsive thing, you know?”

  Kyle felt relief flooding him. “No problem. We’re cool, man,” he said lightly, smiling.

  Perry clapped him hard on the back, then slipped a hand around him, careful not to bother Kyle’s sore shoulder. “Good, good.” He squeezed Kyle lightly and then removed his arm, settling back in his seat. But he didn’t ask Cade to switch back and Kyle felt it would be pathetic if he asked.

  So, slightly irritated and disappointed, Kyle put on his headphones and listened to music for the rest of the journey. Perry, for that matter, slept immediately.

  Kyle couldn’t see what Cade was doing, but perhaps that was for the best. He hoped to God that Perry hadn’t ruined the fragile thing that had developed between him and Cade. He didn’t want to have to start over or, worse, lose it altogether.

  When they reached their hotel, Cade didn’t wait for Kyle, getting off the bus quickly with his things. Kyle frowned a little. It wasn’t exactly uncommon for Cade to do that, but it was unusual. He followed Perry, maintaining an impassive face for the cameras and the fans.

  They went up the elevator in a big group. Kyle was squashed against Hector and Aiden. He could see Cade at the other end, looking at his feet, deep in thought. Kyle wondered if he was stressed about the game, but he had a sinking feeling that that was only a part of the problem.

  They exited the elevator together and made their way to their new rooms. Perry and Aiden were directly in front of them, across the hall, and Kyle cursed his fate. Cade opened their door quickly and Kyle followed closely.

  When the door closed with a click behind them, it was as if someone had switched off the volume. It was deathly silent except for their quiet movements. Kyle felt tense and upset, wishing he’d never gone to Perry’s room in the first place. He wanted to bring it up himself, but kept chickening out.

  He jumped when Cade spoke.

  “What did Perry want?”

  Cade was speaking with his back to Kyle, unzipping his suitcase and taking out a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.

  Kyle swallowed, his heart beating fast. “He wanted to just get everything clear about that… night.”

  Cade was quiet for a beat. “Everything clear now?”

  Kyle had finished pushing his suitcase to the corner and now he leaned against the wall, looking at Cade’s back. “Yeah.” He didn’t know what to say-whether he was supposed to reassure Cade or just stop talking about it so as not to annoy him more.

  Cade made no reply and Kyle felt so frustrated by this that he crept a little forward, away from the wall and towards Cade. “Are you… mad at me?” he asked in a small voice.

  Cade sighed. He turned to face Kyle, th
en plopped down on his bed. “No, I’m not. But I-” He looked torn and a little confused.

  “What?” Kyle said, standing still.

  Cade stood, zipping up his suitcase and pushing it over to where Kyle’s was. When he finished, he straightened, turning to Kyle. They were still standing quite a bit apart, but closer than before. Cade rubbed the back of his neck ruefully. “I’m - I’m jealous,” he finally said in a rush, his breath coming out in a whoosh.

  “What?” Kyle said incredulously, sure he’d misheard.

  Cade shook his head. “I’m not jealous. Or maybe I am. I don’t know. I just - I just don’t like seeing you with him.” He paused, then added, flushing, “Or anyone... else.”

  Kyle was speechless. He simply gaped at Cade, unable to process that he was jealous. But something else was clearing in his mind, a wonderful sort of clarity filling him. He felt a rush of warmth surge through him and he cleared his throat. “Okay.”

  “Okay?”

  Kyle smiled. “I won’t be with anyone else.”

  Cade looked stricken. “No! That’s not what I meant at all. I don’t want you to do that for me!” he cried.

  Kyle shook his head, still smiling. He felt oddly calm. “If you don’t like seeing me with someone else, then I won’t be with someone.”

  “Kyle, no. You’re misunderstanding. I just - I don’t want that. I don’t even know if-” Cade looked desperate and frantic.

  Kyle laughed. “Listen. It doesn’t mean that we’re together. It doesn’t mean that we even have to end up together. It doesn’t mean anything. But I want us to have a chance. And if you don’t want me to be with anyone else while you think about it, I’ll do that.” He felt thankful at how well that had come out, how articulate he’d been with his emotions.

  Cade looked agitated. “No, please. It’s too much pressure, Kyle.”

  Kyle held his hands up. “No pressure, I promise. You can take your own time. But I can’t do anything else anyway - if there’s even a possibility.” Of us. He didn’t say it, but he knew Cade understood.

  Cade’s face was tense with emotion, his throat working hard. “I’m sorry.” He rubbed his face hard. “God. I don’t deserve you.”