Page 45 of Bonus Game
“I think you broke him,” said Riley, shaking his head as Allen returned to repeat his new favourite two words, and then ran to explore somewhere else.
“Wait, how is he still walking after having sex with you?” Riley asked, nudging Jake hard in the ribs. “Shouldn’t he be in a wheelchair?”
Jake wanted to answer, but Allen’s cry of “Oh my god!”cut him off.
“I fucking love him,” said Riley.
Jake didn’t have to think about it. “Me too.”
10 /RILEY
Riley had never seenJake so animated and comfortable in his own skin, and he didn’t know why it was bugging him. It was crazy to think that all his friend needed was a tiny ball of explosive sarcasm wearing a pretty face to make him happy, when Riley had been trying for years to break him out of his quiet shell.
But he liked Allen, and he liked seeing him with Jake—even if it made Riley feel inadequate because he hadn’t been able to give Jake what he needed.
Some best friend he was.
Christmas was nice at least. Riley got to do all the things he wanted, like eating turkey for the second time, watching his favourite movies, and opening more gifts. Spending Christmas Day with Jake was different from going to his parents’ house, because here, they could just be them.
No good behaviour and proper manners were necessary. Riley walked around shirtless for the most part since Allen insisted on keeping the electric fireplace going because he was tiny and probably fucking anemic. He sat in the living room to eat, wrestled with Jake when he backtalked him, and broughtsnacks and drinks to Allen when he called for him from the hot tub.
Riley had been unsure of how Allen would fit into their lives and their friendship, but if anyone asked, he would shamelessly admit to having asmallcrush on the beautiful man.
Allen was just so—yeah, he was different. Maybe it was because he was a guy like them instead of a clingy girl. Allen was the opposite of every woman Jake had dated. He was independent and snarky, and even though he clammed up when he confronted Jake’s father, Riley could tell Allen was fiercely protective of Jake. That made him all the more likable.
And unlike Jake’s past girlfriends, who always tried to physically get between them, Allenpreferredto have Riley sit in the middle so he could kick his feet up over their laps.
“If you ever break up with him, I’ll murder you,” Riley said to Jake while gripping his chin, forcing him to make eye contact. “I love him. You need to keep him.”
Jake fluttered his lashes because he was a brat, his expression unreadable.
“I’m not a damn pet,” said Allen. “No one iskeepingme. I can walk out the door if I want.”
For a guy in his thirties, Allen could act like a grumpy teenager at times.
Riley let go of Jake and lay his head back, sighing loudly as Allen began poking Jake on the thigh with his toe to get him to talk. They were so cute, and Riley had been single for too long. But where was he going to find a girl who matched him like Allen matched Jake? Was it even possible?
Fuck, he was so tired of feeling lonely. It was like someone had carved the marrow out of his bones, leaving him feeling hollow inside.
“Don’t,” said Jake.
Riley couldn’t look at him. He didn’t want to cry today.
“We’re here, Riles. Don’t drift away.”
Riley didn’t know how much Allen knew about his past, but one glance at the man’s confused frown said enough.
“You good?” Allen asked, touching a hand to his arm. “Shit—hold on.”
Riley couldn’t dodge fast enough when Allen threw a blanket over him and started tucking him into it like he was swaddling a baby. The dread Riley had been fighting vanished instantly because he was more concerned about getting heat stroke than he was about his depression.
“Goddamnit, Allen. I can’t fucking breathe—I was already sweating.”
“Shhh…” Allen wrapped his skinny arms around his head, nearly suffocating him. “I got you, big guy. No need to feel sad.”
He knew Allen wasn’t being serious, but despite being overheated, the cocoon methoddidwork. Riley endured it until he couldn’t take it anymore, then he carefully pulled Allen’s arms away and pushed him back onto the couch.
“You’ve healed me,” said Riley. “Please stop trying to smother me with your love. It’s painful.”
