AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You’re not supposed to be sweet,” I say, shaking my head.
“Why? Because I’m your cocky next-door neighbour with a loose idea of personal boundaries and an inability to manage my volume?” He laughs. “I swear, there’s a heart of gold under this suit.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” I whisper.
The elevator dings and we both stand there, eyes locked and bodies immobile. Rowan isn’t supposed to be the guy who makes me question things, who teaches me lessons and changes my perspective.
But he’s doing exactly that.
The doors start to close and we’re both rooted to the spot. At the last second, Rowan’s hand shoots out to stop them closing. “Come on. We can’t stay in here all night.”
The hallway is empty, but there’s music coming from one of the apartments and the sound of laughter. I don’t want the night to be over. But I’m going to be real for a second—the idea of being alone with Rowan again scares the crap out of me. Because I know if he makes a move, I’ll be powerless to resist. I want him even more now knowing that behind all the lightning comebacks and the chiselled jaw, he’s funny and perceptive and a good listener. That hedoeshave a heart of gold.
“Why don’t we invite Dom and Glen to play, as well?” he offers. “I know you said the game isn’t quite finished but what’s the harm? None of us are going to judge you.”
“I know you will all be kinder than most,” I reply, with a nod. “Sure, let’s invite them.”
It’s the perfect buffer—because I’ll be on my best behaviour with Rowan’s brother and his boyfriend around. But I’m guessing Rowan knows that, once again proving how he anticipates people’s needs. How he sees more than what someone is showing on the surface.
Half an hour later, my apartment is filled with the sound of raucous laughter, passionate accusations and friendly jabs. We’re clustered around my coffee table, sitting crossed-legged like schoolchildren, and I’m having so much fun my worries feel a million miles away.
“I say we venture into the dragon’s den.” Glen points to where our pawns are on the board. The pieces are mismatched, and board art is temporary, but nobody seems to care. “Why waste time harassing the villagers for information when it’s clear they don’t know anything?”
“That sounds like the strategy of amole,” Dom shoots back, shaking an accusing finger in his boyfriend’s face. “The dragon rage counter is already at max. If we roll anything less than a five when we enter, one of us is going to lose all our gold.”
“I think you sound like the mole,” Glen retorts. “You’re putting your own gold before the group mission.”
Rowan shoots me a look. He’s sitting on the same side of the table as me, his knee gently pressing against mine. I’ve been trying to ignore it for the last thirty minutes.
“You need a new name for this game,” Rowan says, leaning toward me and lowering his voice, but not so much that his brother and Glen can’t hear it. “Destroyer of Relationships.”
“At the very least it should come with a warning.” Glen sniffs. “May reveal aspects of your life partner that you find deeply unappealing...like that they’re gold-hungry moles!”
Dom throws his head back and laughs and the sound booms in the apartment. I liked Dom the first day I met him, back when he and Rowan moved into the building. They have apartments next to one another. Dom’s the kind of guy who smiles at everyone and is basically a BFG—Big Friendly Giant.
If Rowan is the slick, charming, cocksure brother, then Dom is his affable, down-to-earth, easygoing opposite.
Only now, looking at Rowan, I’m not sure about that assessment. He changed out of his suit before he dragged the other guys over and now he’s wearing blue jeans, a soft black hoodie and socks with yellow and blue stripes. His dark hair is mussed and he’s holding his cards to his chest, literally. He’s fully into the game, accusing people and getting right into the psychology of it.
“There you go, that’s my feedback,” Rowan says. “Change the name and put a big warning on the front.”
“Great sales tactic.” I roll my eyes in an exaggerated fashion. “I’m sure people will be rushing out to buy a game that promises divorces and the shattering of life-long bonds.”
Rowan chuckles and plants one palm on the floor behind me. As we play, he leans into me like we’re old friends—or more—and he whispers strategies and jokes into my ear. I catch Dom looking at us, but I’m honestly so happy and comfortable that I don’t worry whether he suspects anything.
Thisis what I’ve been trying to achieve with my games—an experience that brings people together, that makes them laugh so hard they cry, that helps to form new friendships and brings people closer.
On my turn, I convince everyone that we should approach the dragon, acting like I agree with Glen. The group argues some more, but eventually we enter the cave over a few turns and then...bam!
I trigger the end of the game by having the dragon scorch them all and the three men just sit there, mouths agape. Not one of them suspected me.
“What?” Dom gasps. “Sweet little Emery was the mole this whole time. I’m shocked and appalled.”
Glen leans over the table to high-five me, cackling with such contagious amusement that I can’t help laughing along with him. My grin is so wide I’m worried my cheeks might crack.
“That wasphenomenal.” Dom shook his head. “Seriously, best game we’ve played in a long time.”
“Really?”
