The rest of the game was a disaster, his mind being somewhere else. He made mistake after mistake until the coach finally pulled him. A glance toward the other team confirmed that the hot guy with the green eyes was watching his every move.
God, his cock reacted faster than his brain. He wanted that guy like he had never wanted anyone in his life. And his game suffered, but he was powerless to do anything. He grunted at the coach when asked a question, pretending to listen, but couldn’t remember anything the man said.
That night changed his life in more ways than one. He played his worst game ever, making his coach unhappy. Later, when he finally made his way to his car, he was shocked to see “Hot Guy” leaning against his door.
They stared at each other for a moment before Hot Guy spoke. “I’m Michael.”
That was all it took for Chad’s mind to make the decision. “Get in the car.”
Michael gave him a slow, sexy smile before he slid into the passenger seat.
They took off for the lake and some privacy. No words were needed.
That night, he learned what a man’s kiss did to him…and so much more. Michael stroked them together inhis hand until they exploded, overwhelming Chad with the intensity of it.
On his way home, lost in his thoughts, he didn’t see the truck run the red light, smashing into his car,breaking his right hand and arm, crushing his football dreams in an instant.
In the months that followed, he had a hard time working through what had happened, but he did it. With football over, he rededicated himself to finding what would fulfill him…
And now, he was here. In Apple Grove. Watching a fairy-tale parade come to life. Shaking his head, he chuckled. Life was never easy, and it had thrown him some curves, but for the most part, he was enjoying it, so he didn’t dwell too much on the past.
The music grew louder as the band marched closer and the first float appeared behind it. Chad cocked hishead and tried to figure out what it was supposed to be, but he was stumped. Maybe he should have researched fairy tales.
“It’s Snow White,” someone from the crowd hollered.
“That’s my daughter,” a mother exclaimed proudly.
Chad looked again and felt like an idiot. Of course it was Snow White. The floor of the float was coveredin green—probably tissue paper, he assumed—and a large fake tree stood about fourteen feet tall, decorated with papier-m?ché apples. Next to the tree stood a woman dressed in black with an apple in hergnarled hand, while a young woman, apparently belonging to that mother in the crowd, wore a pretty blue, red, and yellow dress that definitely resembled Snow White. Seven shorter kids, dressed as the dwarves, sat under the tree, waving at the crowd. It was a cute float. Nothing to get too excited about, but cute.
Something started moving into view behind the float, but before Chad could see what it was, a small child—maybe three years old—ran into the street.
Chad reacted on instinct. He darted forward and scooped up the little boy, handing him over to his frantic mother just in time to hear a scream.
He turned and found himself facing an unruly white horse, working hard at trying to buck off its rider. A rider wearing satin finery and a crown. A prince?
Chad slowly spread his arms, not wanting to frighten the horse even more, and reached for the reins, speaking in soothing whispers.
But the horse was having none of it. Just as Chad reached to pet him, the animal bucked again, twirling around and landing a shoed hoof smack in the middle of his stomach.
The kick lifted Chad from the road, sending him back a few feet before he landed with a thud on his ass. A bone-crunching sound bit through the loud music, and his arm twisted under him at a precarious angle. Pain shot through him just as the horse reared up again, the rider sliding down its back and onto the street.
* * * *
Now, Puppet-Guy was still waving his arms around, and Chad thought that if he sped up those arms a little, the man might actually take flight.
Chad tried to lift his head, and groaned.
“Don’t move,” a stern voice ordered.
Someone crouched next to him and began softly stroking his hair.
“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry,” a voice murmured.
The voice sounded so sad, Chad found himself wanting to give reassurances, but nausea rolled through him again and he had to focus his energy elsewhere.
Chad must have drifted off, because the next thing he remembered was waking in an ambulance.