Up and Coming: Coastal College Football, #1

By Andrea Dalling

An unexpected love could cost him his dreams.

Emmett Cross doesn't have time to date. A college quarterback on a path to turning pro, he can't afford distractions, especially with the academic challenges he faces. When he's blindsided by a growing attraction to his friend Jake, he fights it—rumors that he's bisexual could wreck his draft prospects. But he can't stop thinking about the cute blond with the warm heart and gentle smile.

Biochem major Jake Schott has had a straight-boy crush on Emmett since freshman year. Emmett's cool logic is the perfect complement to Jake's sensitive nature. He's sure nothing can come of his longing—until a scorching kiss turns desire into hope. Although the tall, sexy athlete with the trim waist and thick biceps denies that there's a chance for them, his lustful looks and stolen touches tell a different story. Passion ignites between them, but Emmett insists on hiding the relationship.

When their secret threatens to come out, will Emmett give up Jake to protect his career? Or will he risk everything for love?

This steamy friends-to-lovers, straight-to-bi M/M romance is for a mature audience. It's a full-length novel with a happy ending and no cliffhanger.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Artesian Well Publishing
• Release date: Sep 28, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386744757

Andrea Dalling

Andrea Dalling lives in the sexy Southeast U.S., where the summers are hot and the romance hotter. She loves to torture her characters but eventually rewards them with a happily-ever-after.  Married to her college sweetheart, she's an ally and an advocate for LGBT rights. When she's not writing, she enjoys gardening at her Raleigh home and scuba diving in the clear blue waters of the Caribbean.  You can follow her on Facebook (andrea.dalling.romance) or on Twitter (@Andrea_Dalling). For news about upcoming releases, sign up at http://eepurl.com/00WxP or visit her website at http://andreadalling.com. Want free books? Sign up for her ARC Club to receive advance reader copies. http://eepurl.com/2c4DH

Book preview

Chapter 1

C ome on, Amber, it’s not like that. Emmett pulled from her grip. She’d been hovering around him all evening, and now she had cornered him in a dark upstairs hallway of the frat house. She was a close friend, and pretty, too—pouty red lips, heart-shaped face, soft umber-brown complexion—but pretty wasn’t what he was after.

Music thrummed from the dance floor below, vibrating through his Nike trainers. He had only planned to go to the party for an hour, have a beer, then get back to work on his English paper. But he and Waseem got to talking, and one beer turned into two. He didn’t give much thought to Amber, and he certainly didn’t expect her to follow him to his room.

I can make you happy, baby, she murmured, alcohol on her breath. He hadn’t noticed how much she had drunk, but it was probably more than she should’ve. And her friend Glenda had left earlier, so he should be a gentleman and walk her to her dorm. Which was bound to give her the wrong idea.

I’m not looking for a girlfriend right now. I need to focus on football. To be honest, he wasn’t sure why he had stopped dating. As gorgeous as Amber was, and as much as he liked her, he just wasn’t interested in her that way.

Look, it’s late, he said. Let’s get you back to Harmony Hall so you can sleep it off.

I could sleep here, she teased. You won’t regret it.

He gently clutched her shoulders and held her at arm’s length. You know I care about you. We’re friends, but that’s all.

He turned to the sound of footsteps. When Waseem rounded the corner, Emmett sighed in relief.

There you are. Waseem put his arm around Amber, guiding her toward the stairs. I promised Glenda I’d make sure you got home okay.

I’m talking to Emmett, she said, but didn’t resist.

Emmett’s got a paper due on Monday. He’s busy.

As they turned, Waseem looked over his shoulder at Emmett, who gave him a smile. His best friend had been saving him from overeager women since freshman year. Waseem was gay, so women generally didn’t give him the kind of grief they gave Emmett.

He headed to his room and considered firing up his laptop. It was well after midnight, though, so he decided to get up early instead. He had all day Sunday to finish his paper. That should be plenty of time.

Lying in bed, he couldn’t stop thinking about Amber. He had known her since freshman year—she was a sweet girl, and most guys would want to hit that hard. But he wasn’t in love with her, and hookups weren’t his thing.

So no matter how she flirted, he just couldn’t get into that. Being alone with his hand wasn’t an ideal choice, but the thought of being with Amber just to get off made him feel worse. Besides, she was clearly into him, and he didn’t want to hurt her.

He sat up and fluffed the pillow, pounding it with his fist before lying back down. He wanted intimacy but just couldn’t seem to feel that spark. Alone was better—no matter how much he hated it.

THE COMMOTION IN THE hallway interrupted Jake’s thoughts. It was Amber’s voice, louder than usual, which probably meant she’d been drinking.

He closed his genetics textbook. All those symbols and squiggly lines were making his vision swim anyway. He peered out the door to see Amber resting her head on Waseem’s shoulder, his arm around her as she shuffled along.

She looked tiny next to Waseem, but then so did most people. A wide receiver on the football team, he was tall with broad shoulders and biceps to die for.

What am I doing wrong? Amber moaned. If you were straight, wouldn’t you want some of this?

Jake stepped into the hallway and headed toward them. Amber came up and hugged him.

Boy troubles? he asked.

Why won’t Emmett love me?

He’s not the one for you, hon. You’ve got to accept it and move on.

It was the same refrain he had been telling himself since he met Emmett three years ago. Emmett Cross, charismatic star quarterback and all-around nice guy, was the only straight crush he’d never been able to shake.

Jake wasn’t normally one for lost causes. There was something about Emmett that wouldn’t let him go. Perfect body, strong, classic features, skin a rich, dusky brown. He melted every time he saw Emmett’s smile.

He could definitely relate to what Amber was going through.

You’re a sweetheart, he said to her. Don’t pine after a guy who’s not interested. Find one who appreciates you.

I know you’re right. She pulled back. It’s just hard, you know? I think I love him.

Jake nodded. He and Waseem walked her the rest of the way to her room and made sure she was okay. She wasn’t falling-down drunk, just sad drunk. And Jake was sad for her.

He invited Waseem into his room and got two sodas from the fridge, since Waseem didn’t drink. They sat a space apart on the bed and took a few sips before Jake asked, You think Amber will be okay?

I don’t know why she’s torturing herself. Pretty girl like that would have no problem finding someone else. Emmett is hot, but...

His voice trailed off as Jake swallowed hard, eyes misting. Amber’s sadness must have affected him more than he realized. He had let his guard down too far.

Aw, man, not you, too.

Just a straight boy crush, Jake said. I’ll get over it. He jutted out his chin and gave his friend a half smile. Something about him is so...unattainable. That’s half the attraction. Jake sank into his thoughts a moment, then said, "We should go out next Saturday. Find someone I actually can have." He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.

I’m in. Waseem saluted him with his soda.

Good. Because you’re the best wingman I’ve got.

That’s because I know what you like—and because we’re so different. Waseem smirked. Guys get a certain look in their eyes when they’re scoping out a twink like you.

I’m not a twink. Jake’s voice was sharp. He hated when people call him that. Okay, so he was blond-haired and blue-eyed, barely five-nine with a slim runner’s build. And yeah, people described him as cute or even pretty. But he wasn’t dumb, and Waseem knew it.

"Twink is not an insult, dude. It’s just shorthand for a certain type. Your type. Embrace it."

Jake bit his cheek. Maybe a happy-go-lucky guy like Waseem couldn’t understand why that word bugged Jake so much. He knew his friend didn’t mean anything by it, so he took another swig of his drink and let it go.

His gaze roamed over Waseem’s powerful arms, a T-shirt clinging to his sculpted upper body. People said the two would make a cute couple, but they’d never had that vibe. Jake could appreciate how gorgeous the guy was—soulful dark eyes, curly hair, light brown skin the color of sandstone.

But Waseem was warm and outgoing, while Emmett was cool and confident. That must be what Jake went for, because he got hard just thinking about it.

Thinking about Emmett.

ON SUNDAY, EMMETT WAS at Waseem’s rehashing the game from the day before. Their team, the Pirates, had won by a field goal, but Emmett didn’t feel good about a score that close. The pro scouts didn’t usually pay much attention to football at North Carolina Coastal College, but he knew they were watching him.

He needed to step it up.

The fact that he wasn’t dating removed distractions from his life. He had classes, he had football, and that was it. His head was clear so he could focus on what mattered.

Martinelli is off his game this season, Emmett said, referring to one of their wide receivers, a senior with no professional prospects. I’d like to push Adams harder, see what he can do. Brent Adams was a junior with real potential.

Sounds like a good call, Waseem said.

A knock on the open door turned Emmett’s head. It was Jake, blond hair damp from the shower. He was wearing a polo shirt and khaki shorts—Emmett knew it was a cliché about gay guys dressing neat, but in Jake’s case, it was true.

His clothes looked good on his slim build. Emmett spent so much time with big, muscular guys that Jake was a refreshing change. Buff, but more like a runner or a swimmer.

Hey, um, y’all want to grab some dinner? Jake mainly looked at Waseem as he said it, but then he caught Emmett’s eye. There was something nervous in that glance—a half smile, a blush in his cheek. Even after three years, the guy seemed intimidated by Emmett, and he didn’t know why.

It drove him a little crazy.

Sometimes when people looked at Emmett, all they saw was a big, muscular Black dude, and that scared them. Jake wasn’t like that, though. If he and Emmett had a couple of drinks together, he relaxed, and things were normal between them. But then, the next time Emmett saw him, the nerves came back, no matter how Emmett tried to put him at ease.

They decided to skip the cafeteria and went to a little Italian place just off campus, the kind with tablecloths and heavy silverware. The prices were good, and the marinara sauce was killer. They blissed out on the homemade pasta.

It was a slow night. The lights were low and Tony Bennett was playing. The waitress, a blonde in her forties, was elegant and friendly.

Jake had eased up a bit. He and Waseem were talking about their plans to go to a club the next Saturday night. Emmett’s stomach tightened. He felt kind of left out, even though he knew that wasn’t their intention.

I guess you don’t go clubbing much, Jake said.

Emmett’s throat went dry. Yeah, I was in a long-distance relationship for so long...just never formed the habit, I guess.

Jake raised his brows. After being tied down all that time, I’m surprised you haven’t been chasing every woman on campus. Turning down Amber?

She, uh... Emmett couldn’t find the words. Amber’s not my type.

Jake shook his head. Emmett knew what he was thinking. How could a beautiful girl like Amber not be every straight guy’s type?

The spark just wasn’t there, and Emmett couldn’t get into one-offs.

He sipped his beer and changed the subject. He and Waseem talked football for a while, and Jake’s eyes started to glaze over. Emmett gave him a smile. We boring you?

Not boring, I just...don’t really understand half of what you’re saying. His expression was bright now, radiant even. Something about the way he gazed at Emmett made him warm all over. Jake was a good-looking guy, and Emmett couldn’t help noticing how full and pink his lips were. Emmett hated to think of him wasting all that on a stranger at the bar with Waseem.

Maybe I could join y’all Saturday night, Emmett said, then squinted. Where did that came from? He didn’t remember having that thought, but now that it was out, he realized it was what he wanted. Straight guys went to gay bars with their friends sometimes. It was no big. We can talk about something other than football.

Jake’s eyes went wide, but Waseem just laughed. Dude, what are you going to do once we pick up a couple of dates?

I can take a cab home. Or maybe I’ll ask Brent Adams if he wants to go.

Waseem shrugged. If you want. But Jake still had that wide-eyed, fixed stare, and Emmett had no idea why.

I’m not gay, Emmett said. It was sharper and more defensive than he had meant it to be, and Jake flinched.

I know, Jake said.

Now Emmett felt like shit. Jake was a nice guy, and Emmett was only giving him reasons to be more nervous around him. And now, Emmett realized, he was feeling nervous around Jake.

What was that about? He was Emmett Cross, star quarterback, the best the college had ever seen. He had no reason to be nervous around anyone. But when this cute little white boy blushed, he forgot everything else. No one had affected him like that before, and he didn’t know what to make of it.

He put the thought out of his mind. Instead, he contemplated Saturday night. It’d be fun to dance, even if it was with dudes, and he’d have a chance to keep an eye on the guys who hit on Jake—make sure they weren’t assholes. Waseem was a big guy who could take care of himself, but for some reason Emmett felt protective about Jake. As good-looking as Jake was, Emmett wouldn’t be surprised if creeps came out of the woodwork trying to get a piece of that.

Jake deserved better. Someone who appreciated him for more than what was on the outside. Emmett’s stomach tied in knots at the thought of watching him with some random stranger, but at least Emmett could keep him safe.

He liked the idea of that.

Chapter 2

Jake was washing petri dishes in the biology lab when Amber came in. She took the sink beside him. She looked so pretty with those bright eyes and bouncing curls that he almost wished he were straight. Almost.

Hey, Jake. You got plans this weekend?

The Parrot with Waseem on Saturday.

Why do you still go to that place? You’ll only get your heart broken again.

I know literally every gay man on this campus. At least the ones who are out. I need to meet someone new—and how else am I going to do that? He bumped his shoulder up against hers. What about you? Hot date?

Demonté asked me out again, but I just can’t see it. He’s a baby.

He’s only two years younger than you.

He’s barely more than a teenager, and acts it.

You like him, though, right?

She shrugged. He’s hot, and he makes me laugh. Still, I’m looking for a man with more substance. She sighed.

Emmett?

The man is all that and an apple turnover. Hot and sweet and juicy.

No argument from me.

She stared at Jake. You too?

His face heated. Since freshman year. I know nothing will come of it...

Yeah, I guess I have to accept that, too. I understood it when he had a girl back home, but now...

It takes a strong man to turn down a woman like you.

Or to turn down a guy like you.

I don’t know about that.

She scowled and shook her head, dark curls bouncing. Don’t sell yourself short, Jake. If you were straight, we’d definitely have done it by now.

You think so?

You don’t have Emmett’s resolve. I’d have worn you down.

Jake laughed, because she probably would have.

He’d never had a long-term relationship like Emmett had. His had been more like flings, only lasting a few weeks. When he was first with a guy, the dude was willing enough to get on his knees for Jake, but after the first time Jake bottomed, the boyfriend suddenly expected him to be submissive.

Waseem said Jake was imagining things, but the pattern had repeated too many times. Maybe it was the twink thing, and Jake was appealing to some fetish they had. But he was a person, not an object—and he sure as hell wasn’t submissive.

Sometimes I can’t wait for graduation, he said. Get out into the real world.

Yeah, but you’re going to grad school, right?

Berkeley, I hope. He’d applied to all the best schools in genetics, but Berkeley was his first choice. He loved the Bay Area, and really, was there a better place to be gay? Odds were a lot better than in coastal North Carolina.

Maybe he was just more serious than most guys his age. One-offs could be fun, but that wasn’t really what he was looking for. For one thing, as a biochem major, he knew way too much about infectious diseases to take casual sex lightly. Plus, he was the poster boy for unintended consequences, which his grandma never let him forget.

It wasn’t like she resented his existence or anything. He couldn’t have grown up in a more loving home. But she had made a lot of sacrifices because his parents weren’t equipped to raise a child on their own. The life she’d had wasn’t the one she would have chosen. And while she usually bore it with grace, there were times when the weight of her responsibilities got to her.

She didn’t take it out on Jake. But he hated seeing the pressure she was under.

If nothing else, he had an obligation to her to not screw up. He didn’t want all the sacrifices she’d made to be for nothing. She’d given up a career as an archeologist to stay home with her family. She’d traded field work for a quiet life writing adventure romance set in the jungles of Mexico and South America. The summer he was sixteen, she’d taken him to Machu Picchu, just the two of them. It was amazing, and he could see in the way her eyes shone how much she loved it, and how much she missed that life.

Jake owed her, and he wouldn’t let her down.

Eleven months, he said to Amber. I’ll be on the other side of the country, living my dream, maybe traveling into The Castro on the weekends. I’ll meet the right guy. I just need to hold out until then.

Fingers crossed, she said, for you and me both.

JAKE HEADED TO THE cafeteria. He