Austin raised his eyebrow at Artemis, who stood silently watching his brother tower over Theo. He covertly waved a hand, suggesting everything would be fine. And while Austin tried to accept his old rival’s word, a niggling feeling crept into his veins that the younger de la Peña was a hot head like his father... or… uncle…?
Joy of fucking joys.
The world didnotneed two Alonso de la Peñas no matter what the familial connection. Austin wasn’t even sure the world could cope with the one they already had.
Apollo waved the back of his hand in front of the shorter man’s chest and tapped twice. “I’ve got this, Ares.”
So he was their younger brother after all. It made sense. No two sets of related parents could get away with calling their kids after the same Greek gods and goddesses. One of them would at least have to go with the Norse, or the Romans.
“How about we make it interesting?”
Theo canted his head and squinted his left eye. “I’m listening.”
Mackenzie caught Austin’s attention and flexed her eyes even wider as if to suggest he should intervene, or stop whatever was about to unfold.
He reached over the table and patted her hand. The chips and dip bowls were empty and stacked at the edge of the table with her second margarita glass and her water glass, but Claudia was as enraptured with the situation as everyone else and hadn’t picked them up yet.
Someone kicked him under the table, a sting radiating through his ankle which sent his knee shooting into the underside of the table. Mackenzie jerked her head at the Theo –vs– two de la Peñas.
Austin rolled his eyes. “May I remind everyone that this is a pre-season game and there is nothing at stake over the outcome? We are all friends here.” He shrugged at Mackenzie like he’d done his due diligence in a bid to put out the flames, but internally, he was eager to see how this was going to play out.
“Exactly. But… maybe there should be stakes.” Apollo grinned.
“What did you have in mind?” Theo folded his arms like they would somehow offer him an ounce of protection against the wall of muscle standing in his space.
Apollo turned over his shoulder, making eye contact with Artemis, who nodded. “How about losers buy the winner’s dinner here tomorrow night after the game.”
Ares grunted. “But—”
Apollo elbowed Ares, cutting off whatever he’d been about to say.
“Now, now. If the rookie is so confident, let him put his money where his mouth is.” Apollo raised his eyebrows and widened his eyes like he was trying to convey an unspoken message.
Artemis had rolled his lips between his teeth, his nostrils flaring.
What was Austin missing? “Why this specific restaurant? We have not yet eaten, so perhaps the food is not good.”
“Ay, Dios Mío! Lower your voice!” Claudia hissed, reminding everyone that she was still there. “You donotwant Abuelita to hear you accuse her of making bad food.”
Artemis mouthed ‘You really don’t’ at Austin, as he dragged his index finger across his throat. Austin’s fingers itched to reach for his phone from the pile of phones in the middle of the table to Google the restaurant to see what the connection was.
If they lost, he would undoubtedly be the one to foot the bill for the wager. Much as he didn’t mind, he didn’t want to foot the bill two nights in a row. Snow Pirates rules. He who picks up his phone first, paid the bill for everyone.
Channeling patience, he sucked in a steadying breath. They wouldn’t do anything truly sinister… would they?
“Is it a deal or not?”
“Fine.” Theo spat the single word at Apollo with conviction and extended his hand. “It’s a deal. Loser buys the winner tacos here tomorrow night.”
“We’re going to wipe the floor with you assholes. We have the superior goaltender,” Ares sniped while buffing his nails on his shirt.
Before anyone could counter his barb, Theo snorted. “Bullshit. The only reason you made the team is because of Scrooge McDaddy’s bags of money.”
Claudia gasped, Molly’s head snapped up, and Lincoln bounced to his feet. But no one reacted faster than Ares, who pulled back his fist and let it fly, straight at Theo’s smug fucking face.
