Book Title: Playing the Player (Miami Piranhas, Book 2)
Author and Publisher: Beth Bolden
Cover Artist: Cate Ashwood Designs
Release Date: August 3, 2022
Genres: Gay contemporary sports romance
Tropes: Fake boyfriend, bisexual awakening, friends to lovers
Themes: Found family, trusting yourself, trusting others, finding confidence
Heat Rating: 4 flames
Length: 91 000 words
Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited
Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK
Blurb
Center Logan Banks didn’t come to Miami looking for a best friend.
He came for football and for a chance at freedom—the freedom to live out of the closet.
But after a water main break, he lands an unexpected roommate, the new Piranhas kicker, Dylan Leonard. Between practices, games, and too many late nights on the couch, a best friend is exactly what he gets.
When Logan’s past rears its ugly head and threatens to destroy the freedom he’s hoped for, Dylan becomes more than just a friend. He becomes a lifeline.
But then their friendship gets incorrectly labeled as something more, and Dylan shocks Logan by suggesting they play along with a fake relationship.
Logan knows it’s off limits to fall in love with Dylan. He’s supposed to be straight, he’s his best friend, his roommate, and his teammate. But the closer they grow, and the more he and Dylan fake falling in love, the more real it feels.
The more real Logan wants it to be.
Making a play for love is the biggest risk he’s ever taken, but he wants it all and he wants it with Dylan.
“Take a seat,” Coach added, gesturing to the chairs set in front of his desk. “I just wanted to chat real quick. Helen’s told me what happened, Logan, and I’m sorry. I know you wanted to do this on your own terms.”
Logan nodded. He had. But other than Dylan getting dragged into it, he wasn’t . . . well, he couldn’t really be angry about it, because there wasn’t any point. Even though he hadn’t picked the timing or the scenario, he couldn’t deny that the outcome was exactly what he’d wanted.
“It’s actually not so bad. I’ve gotten used to the idea of everyone knowin’ now,” Logan said. “And I wanted to do it anyway.”
“Still doesn’t give anyone permission to reveal it without your say-so,” Coach said firmly. “Helen tells me you’re releasing a statement today.” He picked up a piece of paper from his desk. “You’ve read the final version?”
Logan nodded. Words weren’t ever his strong suit, but Helen had done a really great job of crafting all of what he’d felt into one concise statement.
There’d been a firm rebuttal of his relationship with Ricky, and all the accusations Ricky had leveled at him—but mostly she’d focused on what was important to Logan, and expectations of the future.
Specifically, she’d penned a line: As much as I understand the intense interest in my personal life that this article has generated, I still ask that my privacy be respected and my personal life remain personal.
He hadn’t confirmed or denied anything. But everyone, of course, would assume that any allegation that he didn’t specifically refute—AKA that he was dating Dylan—was plain and simple fact.
“And you, Dylan . . .” Coach sighed. “Helen tells me that you actually offered to help Logan out here. But I want you to know, it’s not necessary. If you change your mind . . .”
Clearly, Coach had not seen the picture from last night.
He’d seen it, first thing this morning, when he’d opened his email and there it was, a forward from Helen, who said it was spreading through social media.
He hadn’t been able to help the way his gaze had lingered on the photo, even as small as it was on his phone screen. The surprise on his own face. The undeniable joy in his eyes. The way Dylan’s own had fluttered closed.
The possessive arm he’d slung around Dylan’s shoulders.
“I’m not going to change my mind,” Dylan said firmly. “I don’t have a problem doing this.”
“You’re sure, then,” Coach said. “And you, Logan? Nobody says you have to do this. I know y’all were close friends before that. No need to . . .” He hesitated, and Logan swore he saw something he’d never imagined he’d see in his coach’s eyes: understanding. Then as soon as Logan had identified the emotion, it was gone. “No need to compromise your friendship, just to refute this jerk’s claim.”
“It’s not compromised, Coach,” Dylan said very earnestly. “It’s even stronger than ever.”
Coach sighed. “And now I get to give my real fun speech, I’m sure you two know the one. It’s a little less relevant considering y’all aren’t actually dating, but the point remains: what happens between you doesn’t impact what happens on the field. Okay?”
“It won’t,” Dylan swore earnestly.
“Besides,” Logan added, “we aren’t even on the field at the same time.”
“Doesn’t mean,” Coach retorted sternly, “that the drama won’t impact your individual playing time. I just ask that you make sure it doesn’t.” He paused, his face softening. “Really, I’m not too worried about y’all. Logan, you’re a rock. And Dylan, you came to us for a reason, because we had faith in you and that hasn’t changed. But for equality’s sake, I had to give y’all the same speech I gave Tristan and Wade and Sebastian and Beau.”
“You weren’t worried about them either,” Dylan guessed. “Not really.”
That was the thing about Dylan. He was so smart, unexpectedly. Nobody expected someone who kicked a ball for a living to have so many insightful observations. But Dylan always did.
Coach eyed him, and then his smile grew, slowly.
“I’ll neither confirm nor deny,” Coach said, but the sly twinkle in his eyes gave him away.
A lifelong Pacific Northwester, Beth Bolden has just recently moved to North Carolina with her supportive husband. Beth still believes in Keeping Portland Weird, and intends to be just as weird in Raleigh.
Beth has been writing practically since she learned the alphabet. Unfortunately, her first foray into novel writing, titled Big Bear with Sparkly Earrings, wasn’t a bestseller, but hope springs eternal. She’s published twenty-three novels and seven novellas.
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