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shoulder. “Charlie explained your situation to me, and I think we can work around it. I can’t promise the press won’t find out you’re coming here on occasion, but I’ll do my best to make sure the residents understand the importance of discretion.”
    “Thanks.” Although he still needed to meet Dane, Bobby felt much better about his options. Knowing he could enjoy the camaraderie BK had to offer was the most important thing. It also might help get him back in Chet’s good graces. “Can I let you know this evening?”
    Locky smiled. “Sure. That sounds fair.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Chet pulled away from BK and back onto the street. “So what’d you think?”
    “I like it. Locky’s nice.” Bobby glanced at Chet. “He made me feel welcome.”
    Just how welcome , Chet wondered to himself. As soon as Bobby disappeared down the hall with Locky, Chet fought the urge to run after them. Maybe it was their earlier conversation, but since learning Bobby had a thing for older men instead of guys his own age, Chet doubted he’d ever feel comfortable having Bobby around his single friends. “So you like Locky?”
    “Yeah, like I told you, he’s nice.” Bobby reached over and punched Chet playfully on the arm. “Jealous?”
    “Maybe. Although I know I have no right to be,” Chet admitted.
    “Well don’t be. I didn’t transfer my senior year to pick up on Locky.” Bobby was silent for a moment before slapping the seat beside him. “Shit. Are you already involved with someone?”
    “No.” The elephant in the front seat was suddenly too big to handle. Chet had done everything he could to get Bobby out of his system, but if it hadn’t happened in three years with several states between them, he doubted it was possible.
    He found a shady spot to park two houses down from Demitri’s and pulled up to the kerb. Shutting the engine off, Chet unbuckled his seat belt and turned to face Bobby. “I can’t coach you at practice and fuck you at night. It’s not right. It’s not who I am. I’m not saying I don’t want you because I think we both know that’d be a damn lie, but my job means a lot to me.” Chet reached out and cupped Bobby’s face. “But the future you’ve worked so hard for means more and I can’t take the risk.”
    Bobby’s eyes drifted shut as he turned his head to place a kiss on Chet’s palm. “What if I didn’t play ball? Would you still feel the same way?”
    “If you’re asking whether my feelings would be the same if you weren’t the Bobby Ray Sikes every pro scout’s been following for years, the answer would be yes. But you’re not that person, Bobby. You have a gift, and I can’t let my feelings get in the way of what you were born to do.” Although Chet was confident in his own feelings, Bobby was still young. He had a lot of living to do before he’d be ready to make a life-altering decision like the one he seemed to be contemplating. He dropped his hand and pulled the key from the ignition.
    “I’m glad you and every other football fan in the nation have my future all mapped out for me. Otherwise I might be stuck doing what I want to do instead of what I’m supposed to do.”
    It was remarks like that that reminded Chet of Bobby’s youth. He was grateful when he saw another car pull up behind him. “Locky’s here. We’d better drop this for now and join the party.”
    “Yeah, whatever,” Bobby mumbled as he opened the door.
     
    * * * *
     
    After a short introduction, Bobby took a seat next to Dane in the shade. He gestured to the open book on Dane’s lap. “What’re you reading?”
    Dane held up his book. “Ancient Native Tribes of the Southeast United States. My professor, Magnus Sofokleous, wrote it.”
    Bobby couldn’t imagine bringing a boring book to a barbecue. He wondered just how much Dane really wanted to be there. “Not to sound stupid or anything, but is that archaeology?”
    Dane pushed his small horn-rimmed glasses up and shook his head.