The turf beneath his cleats was as much a part of Marshall as the color of his eyes. Even the sun beating down on him, burning his skin, couldn’t dampen Marshall’s love of the game. He’d worked twice as hard today, and he knew the reason. Maksim had joined him on the field today. With his new business up and running, Maksim needed new blood. Training camp was filled with players who were good enough to be pro but would still be cut from the team before the first regular season game. Maksim eyed each possibility. Marshall was hyper aware of his love walking the sidelines.

Two of Marshall’s teammates, Will and Leon, stretched nearby. Marshall moved to join them. He grabbed a bottle of water and chugged it while fighting the urge to pour the entire bottle over his head. July was a tough time of year for training camp. The heat had dehydration setting in along with horrible cramps. They each tried taking as many breaks as possible to stretch and hydrate. It didn’t help all that much. New Orleans in November was bad, but New Orleans in July was hell on earth.

“I’ve been meaning to tell you congratulations on landing the starting position this year,” Leon said as soon as Marshall came up for air. “We all liked Waylon, but his arm is shot. Last year, we got closer to the big game than ever before. With you, we could make it this year.”

Marshall fought not to preen like an idiot. He’d worked damn hard for this. It mattered that his teammates felt he’d earned it. “Thanks.”

“Coach’s son is here,” Leon said, nodding toward the sidelines and changing the subject.

Marshall glanced behind him. Sure enough, Gavin stood, chatting with his dad. Marshall’s gaze automatically slid Maksim’s way. With a clipboard in hand, he walked the sideline. Marshall bit back a smile. Damn, Maksim looked sexy as sin.

Will snorted. “I see that Petrov guy is here too. Today must be invasion of the fa—”

Marshall’s head whipped around. He dared Will with his eyes to finish his slur. “Go on.”

Will visibly floundered. “Shit. Sorry. I forgot Coach’s son is married to your brother.”

Marshall fought his natural inclination to say it was fine. It wasn’t. They were about to have a problem.

Will’s shame lasted all of five seconds. “Speaking of which, why is he with that Petrov guy? Everyone knows that guy could get anyone a spot on the team of their choice for a blow job.”

Something inside Marshall broke. There’d only been a thin dam between his head and heart to begin with, and Will’s words were like a sledgehammer, breaking it down.

Marshall’s spine stiffened. A smirk touched his lips. “Maksim isn’t here with Gavin.”

Will shrugged, looking nowhere near as concerned as he should. “What makes you think so? They’re both gay, and—from what I hear—Gavin is a player. I’m just looking out for your brother.”

There were so many things wrong with Will’s statement, Marshall didn’t know where to rage first. Instead, his wicked grin grew. “I know he’s not here with Gavin, because Maksim is here with me.” Without waiting to see the men’s reaction, Marshall walked away, heading Maksim’s way. He tucked his helmet under his arm as he went. His gaze never wavered from the man who owned his heart.

Maksim looked up from his clipboard. The man’s expression turned heated when he focused on Marshall. “Hey.”

“Hey, gorgeous,” Marshall said before claiming Maksim’s mouth. For a moment, Maksim stiffened in his arms. Then his hand landed on Marshall’s shoulder and slid higher until he cupped Marshall’s jaw. Nothing mattered except the lips against his and the man who owned them. For as many years as Marshall had spent worrying what people would think, it surprised him how easily that fear slipped away for Maksim. No one could claim he didn’t belong on this team. If they wanted to win, they’d keep their fucking opinions about his personal life to themselves.

Marshall pulled away.

Maksim’s gaze moved over his face. He massaged Marshall’s neck. “You’ve done it now,” he whispered.

“I don’t care,” Marshall said with a shrug and never meaning anything more. “You’re mine, and you’re worth it.”

Maksim bit his lip and dropped his gaze to the ground before meeting Marshall’s stare once more. The happiness written on Maksim’s face let him know he’d made the right choice. “I love you, man child.”

A whistle blew. Marshall glanced over. Coach pointed toward the field. “Get back to work, Frost.”

With a nod, Marshall shoved his helmet on before tossing Maksim a wink. “Love you too. See you at home.”

“Yeah. See you there.”

Marshall jogged back onto the field without meeting anyone’s gaze. He didn’t fool himself by thinking his life would be easy now. In fact, he’d never been more certain things would never be the same. It didn’t matter. He wouldn’t spend the rest of his life hiding Maksim. If the shoe was on the other foot, it would kill him if Maksim denied him. The hard road was worth it, as long as Maksim was there to walk it with him.

* * *

The way Marshall carried himself—so proud—was the sexiest act of defiance Maksim had ever seen. When Marshall kissed him, Maksim didn’t know why the clipboard hadn’t fallen from his numb fingers. He couldn’t feel a thing beyond the shock. In the blink of an eye and with no explanation, Marshall put everything on the line for Maksim. Maksim couldn’t tear his gaze away from the amazing man who’d ruined him for all others, even as the man moved to join the rest of his team on the field.

Gavin sidled up beside him. “Hands down, that was the bravest thing I’ve ever witnessed.”

“Yeah,” Maksim said, still reeling.

“Or the stupidest,” Gavin added, pulling Maksim from his haze. He couldn’t argue Gavin’s logic. Marshall had said he wouldn’t risk the life and career he’d built for someone who only saw him as a fun time. Maksim had let the man he loved feel that way for too long. They were in this together, and Maksim would never let Marshall go it alone.

“Man child.”

At Maksim’s shout, Marshall turned his way, but continued walking backward.

Maksim didn’t need to think it over. “Marry me.”

Marshall’s face lit. “Tell me a time and a place. I’ll be there.”

“All the time. Everywhere,” Maksim shouted back. His smile was out of his control.

“You’re on,” Marshall called out. He looked over at his teammates. Everyone openly watched their exchange. Marshall pointed at Maksim. “That’s going to be my husband,” Marshall yelled. The pride in his voice sent Maksim’s heart soaring. Some of Marshall’s teammates looked as if they thought he might be joking. Marshall shrugged when no one offered their congratulations.

For the first time in Maksim’s life, everything felt right—like he was headed in the direction meant for him. Marshall had just given him the world, risking it all. No matter what happened, Maksim wouldn’t let him down. No matter what, Marshall would be happy for the rest of his life, because Maksim wouldn’t let it be any other way.

Marshall spread his arms wide. “I love you, baby.”

A loud laugh escaped Maksim. Life with Marshall would never be boring. “Clown,” Maksim muttered before pitching his voice for everyone to hear. “I love you too.”

“All right. All right,” Coach said, trying to call everything back under control. The man who looked like an older version of Gavin focused on Maksim. “If you want to stay, you have to let Marshall do his job.”

Maksim pressed his lips together and nodded, thoroughly chastised. Soon enough he’d take his man home, where they could start their happily ever after. Until then, he’d have to be content with knowing he’d soon marry a good man who could’ve folded under the pressure of society’s prejudice. Instead, he’d risked it all on love. That was who Maksim wanted at his side until the end of time.