Running Back

Sporting Pride #1

by Charity Parkerson

Jakk needs someone to save him. Rocky needs someone to love him. Neither of them knows it.

After getting publicly outed, Jakk finds his pro football career and the contracts he’s secured in jeopardy. Thankfully, one of the biggest agents around has no problem doing what it takes to keep Jakk in business. Unfortunately, Rocky Zeal is every fantasy Jakk has ever had and a temptation he doesn’t need. While there’s no going back in the closet, he’s equally not ready to be open about his private life. He’s convinced that’s the one move that will cost him everything. No one is more amazed than him by how quickly Rocky strips away the fear.

Rocky is more than familiar with Jakk’s situation. He was in the same position once and lost his basketball career. Now he helps people like Jakk navigate the complexities of being openly gay in professional sports. It’s something he feels passionate about. Of all the celebrities he’s represented, Jakk is the only to get so far under his skin. There’s nothing Rocky wants more than to believe Jakk won’t destroy him. History has taught him that’s the least likely outcome.

Running Back is the first book in Charity Parkerson’s Sporting Pride series. These are sports-related romance, following men who find love while navigating high-profile careers. These are best enjoyed when read in order.

Genres: M M Romance, Sports, Novella

101 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 17, 2025

About the author

Charity Parkerson is an award winning and multi-published author with several companies. Born with no filter from her brain to her mouth, she decided to take this odd quirk and insert it in her characters.

*Eight-time winner of Readers' Favorite Awards
*2014 Golden Ankh nominee
*2013 Readers' Favorite Award Winner
*2013 Reviewers' Choice Award Winner
*2012 ARRA Finalist for Favorite Paranormal Romance
*Five-time winner of The Mistress of the Darkpath

**Connect with her online:
Website: charityparkerson.com
Facebook: facebook.com/authorCharityParkerson
facebook.com/TheMenofSin
Twitter: twitter.com/CharityParkerso

Reviews

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book feels like the old Charity. The books that I easily gave 4 or 5 stars to.

I did enjoy this book. It’s the start of a new series and I didn’t feel like other books needed to be read to understand it. There were some characters from another series but it’s not significant.

I loved both of these guys. Both Jakk and Rocky were great guys. They were both were sweet and handled everything maturely. I loved how well they communicated. This was short and sweet. Super sweet and lovey dovey.

Charity is very good at taking a side character you absolutely hate and then giving them a book and making them likable. That’s going to happen in the next book where we have Jakk’s ex who outed him. He’s getting his own book and hopefully he can redeem himself.

NO CHEATING
OM DRAMA (jakks ex isn’t handling the break up well)
NO THIRD ACT BREAK UP
HEA (about to get married)

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jakk, a professional football player, finds his career in jeopardy after being publicly outed. His new agent, Rocky Zeal, is willing to help, but he also embodies Jakk's every fantasy, presenting a dangerous temptation. While Jakk is out, he's not ready to be open about his private life, fearing it will cost him everything, yet Rocky quickly eases his fears. Rocky, a former basketball player who lost his career after coming out, now dedicates himself to helping openly gay athletes navigate professional sports. Despite his experience, Jakk is the only client who has truly gotten under his skin. Rocky deeply desires to believe Jakk won't hurt him, even though his past suggests otherwise.

I enjoyed this story with the deliberate outing of Jakk and the subsequent fallout. Thankfully it meant that Jakk and Rocky met and were able to have a relationship in as normal manner as they could. Lots of emotions and feelings in this story covering the hurt of being outed and then their relationship. This was an MM story with mature content.

[Assiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this author. There are several overlapping stories and she always blends the next couple into the series leaving me waiting for the next one. I believe I've read all of the different series and look forward to the next book!

[Neisha † The Poet † · Rating 5 out of 5]

S. 4.7 yes Eric did a big betrayal by outing Jakk, but I don’t think he cheated on Jakk. Again, I wish charity had longer books because I think this would’ve been so much better if she could stretch out Rocky’s story.

[Monikat · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read. I liked the fast pace. It is so refreshing that they don't fall into all the drama traps and actually talk to each other. A quick feel good read. Concise and to the point without other distractions.

[Crisana]

Not feeling this at the moment. May come back to it later as I would like to read the other books as well.