“Wait, you’ve played strip poker?” Oh, hello jealousy. “Have you lost?”
He smiles. “Haven’t lost. Hunter’s lost, and yeah, that’s . . . wow. He’s um—”
“Big?” I laugh.
“I didn’t expect it. Noah warned me not to sit too close to it.”
“Your friends are crazy. I hope you know that.” I look over at Bo and he glances at me. “What?”
He shrugs. “I like them. I like them all. We’ve never had a friend group before. It feels nice.”
I have to admit, he’s right. “As long as none of them take my place, we’re cool.”
Bo squeezes my hand. “No one can ever take your place, Cam.”
Chapter 13
Cam
“Whatsmellssogood?”Bowen rubs his eyes then slides his glasses onto his face. His pale legs poke out from his boxers as he stumble walks into the living room. I didn’t want to wake him up, but I have to go to work soon.
“I made rice paper omelets.” I finish up the last one, putting the rice paper down then pouring egg, cabbage, and carrot mixture on top. I wait for it to set, and smile as Bo slides onto the bar stool. “I have to work today.”
“Until when?”
“Just six. I have a couple of classes to teach in the afternoon, and I’m going to help Sam set up for this family fun day she’s planning.” I fold the omelet over, letting it finish, then slide it off onto a plate. “I made dip with gochujang.”
“Thank you.”
I smile, watching him eat. I know there are tons of foods he can eat, but Bo doesn’t really feed himself well. He skips meals and then he’s tired or sick.
Plus, I like feeding him. A lot.
“Did you have fun last night?” Bo asks, lifting his head up between bites. “What’s this?” He asks about the juice.
“Just orange juice.” He takes a sip. “I did. I like your friends.”
Bowen pushes the omelet around. “They can be your friends too, you know.”
Yeah, I know. They feel like Bo’s, though. “Noah is something.”
“Noah sure is something.” Bowen smiles. “I like hanging out with them. I’m excited to go shopping today too.” His face pinkens a bit. Yeah, I may be more than curious about what they’re going to do today. Its not my business, though. I’m not his boyfriend. “You want to do something fun tonight? Movie night?”
“We can go out if you want?” I say, and Bowen’s face twists, his mouth pinching adorably. “Never mind.” I laugh.
“A night in sounds amazing. After last night and today with Noah I think I’m going to be peopled out.” Bowen finishes his food, and I open my mouth to ask about the kiss last night, but that’s dumb. It was nothing. It was for the game. That low hum in my belly is mine to deal with. At least he seems in better spirits after that asshole at the bar. “Amazing as always. Thank you.” He smiles at me. It’s off, and now that I think about it, something feels weird right now but I don’t know why.
I swallow it, though. My brain is a mess. It’s probably just me.
“No problem, Bo. What do you want me to make tonight?”
“You know I can cook too?” My brows rise. “I can!” he insists.
“I like cooking.” I smile. “I like cooking for you.” I like cooking for us. Meals together with jokes and smiles, that’s what I want my days to look like. It’s odd, I’ve always searched for the next person, trying to find “the one,” but this time I don’t have thaturge. Yes, this is the longest I’ve gone without sex and that kind of sucks, but I don’t feel like I’m missing anything. “I’m going to head out, okay? See you later.”
Bowen nods. “Oh, have you thought any more about what you want for your prize? I can tell Noah.”
Something filthy comes to mind. A joke. It’s just a joke. I swallow it, though. The impulsive thought can go to hell. “Not yet. Maybe I’ll think about it at work.”
