Pepper Espinoza

Patton Cooper won three national championships as the starting quarterback for the Los Angeles Marauders, but that didn’t stop them from trading him to Phoenix without so much as a warning. At thirty-two, he finds himself weighed down by old injuries and forced to start over again as a backup quarterback for an untried rookie. Deeply hurt by the betrayal of both his team and his ex-lover, Patton keeps to himself and takes what solace he can in football.<br><br>Cornerback DeShawn Jones has loved two things in his life -- football and Patton Cooper. It seems like his dreams have come true when he’s drafted to play for the Phoenix Wildcats, until he realizes the coach has no intention of letting him start, and his childhood hero is a withdrawn, wary man. But DeShawn refuses to give up on his dreams of playing, or his hope of reaching Patton.<br><br>A tentative connection forms between the two men, but the pressures of the game may be too much for the relationship to withstand. Especially when DeShawn is given the chance of a lifetime while Patton struggles not to relive the mistakes from his past.

Mr. November

“You’re sure it’s not broken?” Patton asked.


Jay looked up from the newly wrapped hand. “And where did you get your degree, Dr. Cooper?”


“There’s no sign of a fracture or break.”


“Not even a hairline fracture? Those can be hard to spot.” Patton knew. He’d had two since the age of ten, and they’d been extremely painful until treated.


Jay looked back to Oz like Patton wasn’t even in the room. Patton didn’t take offense. The old trainer was gruff, but he’d also patched up Patton’s hand without asking questions or running to the coach. “Keep icing it when you’re on the bench. I’ll unwrap it and check it at halftime.”


“Shit. This is so fucking ridiculous.”


Oz rolled his eyes. “How? The bone could be sticking through the skin?”


“They’re going to be making a special effort to hit my hand all day.”


“Is that supposed to make me feel better?”


Chapter 28