Shane sat back in his chair and crossed his arms over his chest. "You're really putting a lot of pressure on yourself with that gig."
"It needs to go well. I had to call in a few favors to even get it. This isn't a quick segment or phone interview. It's co-hosting for the whole hour. If I want to go into broadcasting after my playing days are behind me, this will help me get there. I need to show the network what I can do."
Everson looked up from his set of baking cards. "What day are you going up?"
"It's a few days before the competition starts. I called Mr. Mills earlier today, told him when I'd be on and said I'd promote the competition too. He conferenced his daughter in on the call. Within five minutes, she sent me an email with talking points. Now I feel like Food TV, The Frenzy, and my foundation are all depending on me to do well too."
"Don't let it get to you." Shane's advice cut through the tension buzzing in Xavier's brain. "Everything you've got lined up takes practice. And you've got Ryan to help you with the baking, and Leo and Kelsey to help with the hosting and broadcast stuff. So, don't worry."
Don't worry? Easier said than done.
Xavier shuffled through the cards again. Inspiration struck, and he took a few photos of the flashcards. Then, he sent a text to Ashley with the pictures and captioned them Being a good student here.
Seconds later, her response appeared.
Ashley: Oh, I like what I'm seeing. Flash cards are genius.
She sent a row of smiling emojis.
Grinning, Xavier responded: I'll tell my brother you said that. He made them.
He wasn't quite ready to leave it at that. We're looking at some of my mom's recipes too.
Ashley: I'd love to see them. Can you bring some with you when we have our first baking together try-out?
He responded with a thumbs up emoji.
Shane's fist rapped on the table, right by Xavier's hands. "What's making you smile so big?"
"Nothing. Just... Ashley." He'd thought of her every day since that coffee date. "We went for coffee at Mario's place the other day. He wasn't there then. But he called me yesterday. He wants to open a second location."
Smirking, Shane shook his head. "And let me guess, he wants you to help out with funding it."
Xavier picked at the label on his beer. Helping his childhood friend achieve his dream of opening his own café had been a pleasure. He hadn't minded paying for the visa so he could go to Italy to study Italian desserts either. But then and now were two different times. In more ways than one. "I told him I couldn't. The conversation got pretty quiet and ended pretty fast after that."
"The way these people come out of nowhere only when they want something is bullshit. You're not a damned money tree. You gave and gave and gave and gave, and now it's time to look out for yourself."
"I still feel bad turning people down."
"I get it. But you went above and beyond for a long time, to your own detriment."
Some people incorrectly assumed that all pro athletes were multi-millionaires. He'd been an average player for his first few years in the league. A late bloomer, as some coaches would say. He'd made a good amount of money but not the type of bank that came with a huge contract. Then, after he'd smartened up and straightened up, he'd put together a few Pro-Bowl worthy seasons, and that big contract had come.
Requests for money had come too. So many requests. He'd generously and perhaps stupidly helped out almost everyone who had asked. Since he'd had the opportunity to live his dream, he wanted to give that to other people too. But now, with what was likely his last contract, he'd become super careful about money. Life after football was looming pretty close.
But not as close as that competition.
"Ashley and I agreed that I'd shadow her at the bakery."
Shane's brows rose, and his lips twitched. "Thinking of taking up a new career?"
"No. I want to win this thing." He glanced across the table and groaned at his slip-up.
Everson sat, his hand wrapped around a long neck bottle, and brows raised in interest. "Are you? That's not a bad idea. Not bad at all."
Damn it. Xavier pushed the bottle away, disgusted with himself. "It was a great idea. So great that I'd wanted to keep it quiet from the rest of the competitors."
"Well, I'm running that football camp for queer youth for the next two weeks, but even if I wasn't, I don't think my bakery partner wants to do something like that. We agreed to do a couple of trial runs the week before the competition."
Relief swelled fast, almost giving him a buzz. "Good."
Everson smiled and wrapped his arm around Ryan's shoulder. "You forget that I have twenty-four-seven access to my secret weapon."
Ryan looked between the two of them. "I'm helping both of you."
"But really me, though, right?" Everson's voice oozed charm and persuasion.
Xavier snorted and shook his head. "No way, dude. Family first."
Eyes twinkling, Everson lifted one auburn brow in challenge. "Fiancés first."
At those words, Ryan's smile spread, lighting the room like a sunbeam. He turned to gaze at Everson. "I'll never get tired of hearing that word."
"I can't wait until it changes to husband," Everson said.
As they stared at each other, lost in their own world of love and happiness, Xavier felt like he was intruding by watching the moment. He quietly pushed back his chair and padded out of the room.
Shane followed him. "You like her."
Xavier closed his eyes for a moment. "We have to work together. It doesn't matter if I like her."
"How long has it been since you've let yourself have fun?"
"I've let myself had too much fun,
