Book Title: The Star (Charleston Condors Book 1)
Author and Publisher: Beth Bolden
Cover Artist: The Book Brander Boutique
Release Date: June 7, 2023
Genre: Contemporary MM sports romance
Tropes: Best friend’s little brother, bisexual awakening, roommates-to-lovers
Themes: Unconditional support, brotherly/familial love, team-as-found-family
Heat Rating: 4 flames
Length: 107 000 words
It is the first book in a new series, which is a spinoff of the Miami Piranhas, but reading those is not necessary before starting this series.
Buy Links – Available in Kindle Unlimited
Universal Link | Amazon US | Amazon UK
Blurb
Tight end Landry Banks knows the score when he signs with the Charleston Condors in a rebuilding year.
New owner. New coach. New players. New rules.
But one rule hasn’t changed: Don’t hook up with your best friend’s little brother.
Rookie quarterback Riley Flynn knows what it takes to make it in the NFL. He’s in Charleston to prove himself—to the world and to his teammates, but mostly to his older brother, who’s never believed he could be a star.
The last thing he expects is for his brother’s best friend Landry to welcome him with open arms and an offer to become roommates.
Riley’s always believed Landry was straight—but the way Landry keeps checking him out leaves him suddenly unsure. And Landry’s hot looks certainly don’t help squash the crush he’s always had on his brother’s best friend.
Revisiting his teenage crush isn’t part of the plan. But as he and Landry fall into a rhythm of thrilling plays on the field and sizzling tension off it, there’s no denying their connection.
Riley isn’t willing to trade becoming the next big NFL superstar for love. But with a man like Landry Banks waiting to catch anything he throws at him, maybe he can have both.
“Hey,” Riley said as Landry approached. He wanted to have words with the equipment manager and also fall on his knees and thank him because Riley’s locker was right across from his own, with an absolute prime view.
“Have a good day so far?” Landry asked, pulling his pads out of his locker.
“Yeah, it’s been great. Crazy busy, but good. Got to talk to the media some. Meet with Coach Kelley and Coach Oscar. Worked on some film with Charlie. And now my absolutely favorite part of the day…practice.”
“Nobody should look this excited to get on the field and get their ass handed to them,” Carter grumbled.
“The key is not gettin’ your ass handed to you,” Landry teased. He turned to Riley. Pinned his gaze just above Riley’s shoulder. Do not look at his naked body. Absolutely do not look at his naked body. “Heard you had lunch with the big shot today.”
“Yeah,” Riley sounded excited about it. “Mr. G isn’t what I was expecting at all. But he’s nice. Really nice. Honest, too. I think he’s gonna make this team a success.”
“I liked him when I met him,” Landry said.
Riley dropped his voice and took a few steps closer after Landry pulled off his t-shirt. Tried valiantly to ignore the possibility that their bare skin might touch. “Was he…I don’t know…younger than you imagined?”
“Yeah. Way younger.”
“And way hotter, too,” Carter inserted. “Bless having a sexy young billionaire buy your team.”
Riley turned back towards his number one receiver. “You ever have a thought that isn’t basic, Maxwell?”
But Carter just grinned. “Guess I’m just a basic bitch.”
“Guess you are.” Riley rolled his eyes but also looked amused, which was generally Landry’s impression of Carter, too. God, he could be annoying, but in a way that made you want to toss him some balls, see what he could do, more than you wanted to actually punch him in the face.
“Anyway, yeah, he was nice.” There was that hope flaring in Riley’s eyes now. “Think this is gonna be a good spot for me.”
“Me, too.”
Landry turned back towards his locker to finish getting dressed. Yeah, NFL teams were more accepting these days, but it wasn’t a good look to be caught checking out their brand-new quarterback on his first day.
“See you out there,” Riley said, picking up his helmet and tossing Landry one last smile before he turned to jog onto the field.
Landry nodded, taking a sharp, deep breath as he faced his locker. It was just that all this was so goddamn new. He’d never been attracted to a guy before, and therefore, it had never intruded into football.
But it was threatening to intrude now.
“Yeaaah,” a clearly amused voice behind him called out, as Landry couldn’t stop himself from watching Riley leave. “He’s not your boy at all.”
It was Deacon again, and he was grinning.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Landry knew how defensive he sounded.
“You just keep tellin’ yourself that,” Deacon said, patting him on the shoulder and then turning to head out towards the tunnel that led to the practice field.
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