Out in Time Read online

  “Have you read them?”

  Heath grimaced. “I tried, but I couldn’t get past the thought that it was my mother basically writing porn between dragon shifters and unicorn shifters.”

  “Oh, lord. Wonder if their offspring would be a glitter-breathing dragon.”

  “Could be. I didn’t get far enough for the procreation. Thank, God.”

  “So, Dad?”

  “He had a small, private practice and got a referral for a big name celebrity that didn’t want to meet in an office. He started doing his sessions over Skype. The guy loved my dad. Told all his messed-up celebrity friends. Bam! My dad dishes out advice wearing his pajama bottoms.”

  “That’s pretty cool. I can see where you get your drive.”

  “They’ve been excellent role models. That’s for sure. What about your family?”

  Wade smiled, thinking about how awesome they were and missing them. Even when he got to go home for breaks, he only had a few days before he had to be back for training or conditioning. Playing professionally was only going to make that more difficult. “My family is great. My mom stayed home with us until we were all in school. She had her degree though, so when I started first grade, she began her teaching career. Taught me eleventh grade English.”

  “Ah, that’s where your inner English nerd stems from?”

  “Yep,” Wade preened. “I learned more from her than I’ve learned from some of my college professors. She’s crazy-intelligent. Anyway, my dad owns the only automotive shop in town. My older brother, Curt, manages it now, probably will take over completely real soon. He’s already made me an uncle to twin angels—Duke and Dusty. Dusty’s a girl, by the way. Cutest thing you’ve even seen. Umm … who’d I leave out … oh, my big sister, Hope. She’s following in my momma’s footsteps, except she’s teaching rugrats, like, second grade. I thought that was hilarious when she told me. She never had any patience for little kids when we were growing up.”

  By the time they had thoroughly discussed their families, their plates had been cleaned and cleared. Wade enjoyed talking to Heath so much that he was reluctant to make a move toward leaving. He could imagine them as a couple. Comfortable with each other. Forthcoming. Trusting. He found himself wondering if Heath was strong enough to be with someone in his position. Wade may be quick to trust and assume the best in others, but he wasn’t completely naïve. He knew that his sexuality and his coming out was going to be a game changer. And, that whoever was with him would have to roll with punches—whether that was a life under the microscope or a less-than-pretty exit from his beloved game.

  Heath cleared his throat, getting his attention once again. Wade glanced toward those mesmerizing eyes of his. With the late afternoon sunlight cutting across the diner, he could make out the heavy black line that surrounded the green. A deep green that reminded Wade of the magnolia leaf—hardy and capable. If those eyes were anything to go by, Heath could deal.

  “So?” Heath asked.

  “Uh … what’s that?”

  “Are you ever going to tell me about your friend? The one who you come to the meetings for?”

  Wade wanted more than anything to tell Heath. To have someone who knew him—the real him—in his life. Even if he and Heath couldn’t be together, he hoped that the friendship they were building would be enough to keep them connected once they reached New York.

  Wade reached into his back pocket, withdrew his wallet, and dropped enough cash on the table to more than cover the bill and the tip. “Yeah, I’d like to tell you. But not here, okay?”

  Chapter 4

  Wade pulled in to valet park, and they exited the car with their bags, since they were only staying one night and neither of them had more than they could carry. Wade grinned at the sheer opulence of the hotel. Andrea had offered to put them up in a skeevy dive. Heck, it probably rented by the hour from the looks of it. So, he’d sprung for this one. He wanted time to get to know Heath. Time he didn’t want to spend squashing cockroaches or disinfecting bedspreads. This place was all class—shiny chrome and wall-to-wall glass. He still couldn’t get used to the fact that this was his life now. Everyone kept warning him it would only get bigger and grander and Wade would get more and more spoiled. That’s why he loved his granny. When he told her what everyone was saying, she popped him on the back of the head and said, “Not as long as I’m around to do that and to tell when you’re getting too big for your britches.”

  Heath strode off to check out the market while Wade checked them in. As he waited for the clerk to pull up their reservation, he tapped his card on the marble countertop and brooded. Was now the time and place to confide in someone? And not just someone—but Heath? He wanted to. He practically ached to have someone know the truth about him. Someone who could be there for him. Understand why he’d made the decisions he had. A warm feeling spread throughout his bones, as Wade imagined how much freer his soul would feel.

  Then, he considered Heath’s tendency to judge people. Would he judge Wade for not having telling him sooner? For not coming out to the world? Would he think Wade was delusional for wanting to wait a year and hoping that it would make a difference when it came to his teammates, coaches, and fans?

  Probably.

  But, Wade felt compelled to give it a shot despite all that.

  “Sir,” the clerk said, interrupting his musings, “we have a reservation under your name for one night. A double? Is that correct?”

  Wade toyed with the idea of switching it to a single. One big bed where he could feel the heat of the other man radiating toward him. Maybe Wade’s thick legs would accidentally tangle with Heath’s leaner ones? Would their hands brush? Would he wake up with Heath curled at his back? Feel his warm breath on his bare neck?

  “Sir?”

  “Uh.” Wade cleared his throat and tried again. “Yes, that’s right.” As much as he wanted to take advantage, even if it would be mostly innocent, Wade couldn’t help but feel a little sleazy that he’d even entertained the dubious thought.

  “Okay, Mr. Truman,” she grinned a wide smile. “Give me just a moment.”

  “No problem,” Wade muttered before silently admitting there was indeed a problem. He surreptitiously shifted his messenger bag to cover his crotch.

  “So, you’ll be heading up here soon for spring training, isn’t that right?” Wade refocused on the wide brown-eyed gaze of the petite woman before him. Interest lined her every feature.

  “Yes, ma’am. That’s right.”

  “Ma’am?” she squeaked with a light giggle. Oh, no. Not now. Wade glanced over his shoulder to see if anyone else was privy to their conversation, only to spot Heath heading his way. He nearly groaned.

  Wade flashed her a smile that he hoped said a polite but resounding, “No thanks.”

  Brown Eyes lit up again, and Wade figured he’d failed. “We were so worried about you getting snatched up by Dallas or Seattle. They all wanted you.”

  “Yeah, I’m glad it worked out this way too.”

  Heath was standing next to him by now, asking if they were all set.

  Wade tried to answer him, but then Brown Eyes got his attention with, “So, Wade. Some friends of mine are going to the city tonight. We know some great places to party. Imagine how popular I would be, showing up with the Wade Truman. And we could show you firsthand exactly how much the city really wanted you.”

  Wade’s eyes bulged in their sockets, frantically seeking out an answer in Heath’s amused stare. He’d never been hit on so blatantly before. Something shifted in Heath’s eyes, and before he could respond, Heath burst into guffaws of laughter that rang out over the entire lobby.

  “God, Wade. You should see your face,” Heath laughed. “You’re gonna have to get used to getting picked up.” He looked across the counter, and Wade’s eyes followed his. “Honey,” he addressed the clerk. “Two things.” Heath ticked his slim fingers. “One: Mr. Truman is here on an assignment. All work. No play. Two: You can take one look at this—”he gest
ured to Wade and his eyes swept up and down his frame—“and know that that is all homegrown goodness right there. He’s not open to those kind of ‘invitations.’ You get me?”

  Wade looked back to the clerk. He wanted to tell her “Sorry, but no thanks.” Let her down gently. But she had a smile in her eyes for Wade. “So maybe next time, I inquire if you’re here for business and maybe be more subtle about it?”

  “Yeah, maybe,” Wade replied gruffly, even though definitely not maybe. He thought she would be blushing and embarrassed, but nope, that was all him.

  She slid the keycard envelope across the counter and recommended that he enjoy his stay.

  Wade just nodded and turned toward the elevators. When the elevators closed behind them, Heath’s laughter bounced off the enclosed space once again.

  “All right. You got a good laugh outta that. Let’s move on,” Wade grumbled, stabbing at the button for the top floor.

  “I’m sorry,” he wheezed. “Just. You just—” His laughter cut him off again. “The expression deer in the headlights has never been so fully exemplified as it was just now.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Wade cut his eyes toward Heath.

  “Okay. Okay. I’m done.” His laughter finally died out. “But, Wade, seriously, have you never been propositioned like that before? I mean, you would never make it as a gay man.”

  Wade gasped. “What? What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “It’s just … that was nothing compared to how guys come on to each other.”

  “And you’ve been the victim of this?” Wade inquired without heat, even though he could feel a jealous burn in his veins.

  “Victim?” Heath snorted. “It’s flattering. If I don’t want it, I just blow them off.” Heath’s eyes widened right along with Wade’s. “Not like that.” He laughed again and flitted a hand through the air. “I mean I don’t take them up on their offers.”

  “Well, it’s not like I’ve never been hit on before, but the girls back home are not as … predatory.”

  “Wade, you’ve been at PSU for five years. The girls there can definitely be more in your face. I find it hard to believe you haven’t been in that situation before.”

  Wade considered that. He had, of course, been the focus of some of the more amorous attentions, but none had been as blatant about it as this girl had been from the get go. Usually, it was accompanied with long looks from across the room and copious amounts of liquid courage. “I guess it was the context of it,” he explained. “Just right off the bat and, like I said, not subtle at all. Just threw me.”

  Heath slapped his shoulder, and it shouldn’t have stung but an electrifying sensation took root that warmed his entire body. “Well, at least I was there to rescue you.”

  “Thank goodness,” Wade finally laughed.

  They made their way off the elevator and to their room.

  “Shit. This is nice,” Heath whistled. “I can’t believe Andrea sprang for this.” He threw his bag on one of the beds before going to the window and opening the curtains to the low, bright afternoon sun.

  “Um … she didn’t. I figured we could do with an upgrade.”

  Heath spun around. “All right, big spender. First the meal, but like I told you—next one’s on me, and now this. I can split it with you, you know?”

  “It’s fine. Andrea was gonna put us up in a roach motel. So, you’re welcome,” he added with arms spread wide open. “It really wasn’t that much.”

  “Holy shit,” Heath grinned. “I totally forgot you’re a freaking millionaire now. Dude, do you just stare at yourself in the mirror and whisper that to your reflection sometimes? I so would.”

  “Your parents have money,” Wade countered.

  Heath just raised his eyebrows. “Like you said, my parents have money. I don’t.”

  “True. It is pretty hard to get used to,” Wade conceded. He tossed his bags on his bed and began to unpack his laptop. “My parents do well considering the small town economy and public service job, but to open up your account and see those kinds of figures—” he whistled “—mind-blowing.”

  “I bet.” Heath mirrored Wade’s actions, unpacking his own laptop. “So, a bit of work and then what?” he asked, practically reading Wade’s mind. He was probably just as eager to see what they could come up with for the newspaper.

  “Yeah, I’m gonna transcribe these notes. Get myself a working outline and frame for the layout. Then, I figured I would hit the gym for a bit. You don’t mind, do you? I can’t skip any workouts.”

  “No, not at all. I wanted to look at my proofs and narrow it down to the most promising shots.” He slipped his running shoes from his bag and jangled them at Wade, waggling his adorable eyebrows. “I run. So, I can join you.”

  “Sounds good,” Wade grinned.

  “So you don’t use voice recognition software?”

  “Hmm …” he muttered distractedly. “Oh, yeah. Of course, it’s awesome. But, I still comb through it looking for issues with the transcription.”

  “Perfectionist,” Heath laughed. “I like that. Mind if I take the desk?”

  “Not at all.” Wade glanced up to see Heath depositing his laptop on the desk, an image already staring back at him from the open computer. It was haunting and tragically beautiful. “Wow, Heath,” he barely breathed.

  Heath looked up from plugging in the equipment and followed Wade’s eyes back to the photograph. “Pretty unbelievable, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, was she denied medical care?”

  “She was,” Heath answered. The grief in his voice was unmistakable.

  Wade was compelled to move forward to further investigate the woman and her story. Cavernous wrinkles appeared on a dirty and exhausted face. Although her face was dry, the photo captured two puddles of tears gathered in her eyes, as if the shutter closed just before they began to shed. Her gnarled and curled hands rested at her sides as she lay on the stretcher outside of the doors of a well-known hospital.

  “Do you have more?”

  Heath didn’t comment but moved closer and began to click through the images for what, Wade imagined, was an upcoming exhibit. Most of them featured the elderly in various stages of aging and, quite frankly, dying. Some were at home, some in clinics, some on the streets. One common thread was the utter hopelessness that ran through them. “The black and white contrast is perfect. They’re striking, Heath.” Wade released a nervous breath. He’d looked at Heath’s photos before, but usually in a gallery or in the newspaper. This felt more personal, like he’d carved open his skin and held his wrists above the computer to let all the rawness, all the tragedy he’d seen bleed out. Without straightening from his position, Wade turned his head to take Heath in. “You’re incredibly talented. One day I’ll get to tell people I knew you when …”

  Heath crossed his arms over his chest and gave a half smile. “I don’t know about that. There are lots of photographers out there who specialize in social documentary. I just hope this series gets some attention for the elderly and declining health care.”

  “Yeah, but you’re stunning. Um … your work is stunning,” Wade tried, correcting his Freudian slip. “And thought provoking. I can feel their plight beyond the pixels.”

  Heath just stared down at him like Wade sprouted wings and a horn and tried to convince him he was a Pegasus.

  “Plight beyond the pixels, huh?” he finally whispered. “You do have a way with words. I might have to use that for my website.”

  Wade grinned and stood up before moving back to his own computer. He fought the emotion that tugged at him at the thought of having a tiny part in Heath’s passion. “You do that.”

  ***

  Heath let out a shaky breath that was more frustration and annoyance with himself than anything else. When he looked down into those gorgeous blue eyes that swam with emotion, Heath just wanted to lean down and press his lips against Wade’s. He wanted to see for himself the gamut of emotions a kiss between them would incite. Of course, he g
ot ahold of himself before he made that tragic error in judgement, reminding himself that Wade wasn’t gay.

  See, this is why he hadn’t allowed himself to hangout with Wade more. Far too tempting. Far too many ways to fuck that up forever. Heath would be mortified if he pushed himself onto Wade and ruined their burgeoning friendship because, after spending the day with him, Heath knew he wanted that. God, why did Wade have to be so considerate? So wholesome? So fucking beautiful? So fucking straight? Heath imagined throwing himself on the floor toddler-tantrum style and wailing, “But, I want Wade!” Finally, at that delightful image, he was able to shake off a little of his despair. Despair? You barely know the guy. Get the fuck over it. Okay, okay. Moving on.

  Good lord, now he was having full-on conversations with himself.

  Heath connected his camera to his laptop and turned back toward the room, shrugging his sweater off to get more comfortable when he froze in his tracks. The garment hung haphazardly around his elbows as he took in the sight before him. So unfair. So very unfair. Wade had his elbow bent as he fought to remove one of his cufflinks, but his oxford was already unbuttoned and untucked, exposing the plain white A-shirt that hugged Wade’s chest and abs. Heath ran a hand over his own flat stomach. They’d fit so well together. Heath imagined tucking himself against Wade for a hug in those massive arms of his.

  “Do you mind?” Wade interrupted his thoughts.

  Oh, crap, busted. Was he drooling? He ran the back of his hand across his mouth. Nope, all clear.

  Wade arched an eyebrow at him, since he’d yet to respond. “Mind helping me with these?” Wade asked, gesturing to his wrist. “My fingers are too big.”

  “Oh, sure,” he squeaked. Heath finished removing his cardigan and draped it over the back of the chair before moving toward Wade. He could count on one hand how many times he’d touched Wade over the couple of years, and there was a very good reason for that. This was going to be a test of epic proportions.