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“Why are you using air quotes?” Shay asks. “That’s extremely hurtful.”
I let out a soft chuckle at the pair’s antics. Despite the almost twenty-year age gap between them, I’m not sure I’ve ever met a couple more well suited. Actually, that’s not true—there’s also Declan and Heath. And Owen and Blake. And, of course, Aidan and Ben.
Come to think of it, all of Aidan’s siblings seem to have found the exact right match for themselves. Even Cait, the baby of the family, seems blissfully happy with her new boyfriend, Jeremy.
And then there’s Finn. Who, despite all my best intentions, my thoughts always keep drifting back to.
“So, is that why Finn’s coming to the city this weekend?” I ask, remembering the teasing text I received today.
Declan arches a knowing brow at me but I merely shrug, feigning indifference.
“Yes,” Shay confirms, his face set into a scowl. “But he’s only coming towatch.”
“And that’s a bad thing…?” I’m confused. I thought hewantedus to come watch.
“We need him on the team,” Shay says. “Every year I ask, and every year he says no.”
“Well hedoeslive in another state,” Declan points out reasonably, earning himself a glare from Shay.
“At least he’ll get to see Jake play this year—maybe that’ll help convince him to give him a chance at Carmichael,” Shay reasons.
“Why don’t you ever ask Declan?” Heath asks, looking put out on his husband’s behalf.
Dec winces, his cheeks turning red. “Because my nickname growing up was ‘Teflon Hands’.”
“Ouch.” Jamie narrows his eyes at his boyfriend. “You lot are cruel.”
“Don’t worry, baby,” Heath says with obvious affection as he runs his hand through Declan’s hair. “You know I love your hands.”
“And we’ve entered that part of the evening,” Shay says dryly. “I hope you two are able to tone this shit down once the little one comes, lest you scar them for life.”
Declan lets out a soft chuckle and turns to Heath. “See, babe?Thatis the proper way to use the word ‘lest’.”
Heath puts a hand to his chest. “Are you saying Idon’tuse it properly?”
Declan nods. “Yes. And often. We’ve been over this—it’s one of your few flaws.”
Heath grins. “Well, nobody’s perfect.”
I smile to myself and take another sip of my wine. It is a little startling to think these two are going to be dads in a matter of months, but I know they’ll be amazing at it. If they can manage to agree on a name, of course.
Finn
It’s been a long-ass month.And the weird thing is, given our living situations, I wouldn’t have seen Ellie during that time anyway—bet or no bet—but for some reason my internal tension has just been ramped up to the Nth degree since I last saw her, and now I’m ready to explode. And maybe it’s the fact that I know Ican’texplode that’s making everything so much worse?
Giving in is not an option. I don’t back down, and Ineverforfeit games. So unless I can get her to crack today, I’m looking at a serious case of blue balls and yet more personal time with my hand.
I know I could just go find some other girl to hook up with. And maybe that’s what I should do. It’d be a lot less work, that’s for sure. But it’d also be a lot less fun. The fact is, I don’t want another girl. I want Ellie. No matter how long this game lasts, I’m going to be playing it until the end.
“You all good, buddy?” I flinch at the sensation of a firm hand landing on my shoulder, coming out of my daze to realize my older brother Liam is talking to me. “You look a little out of it.”
I give a sharp shake of my head. “Just thinking about something.”
“Hi, Uncle Finn!” I hear a chirpy little voice say, and glance down to see my five-year-old nephew, Wyatt, clutching Liam’s hand.
I smile. “Hey, buddy. What’s new?”
“I’m watching rugby!”
