Page 5 of Bonus Game
“Donate it then,” said Jake. He wanted to end their interaction in a way that painted him as less of an idiot, so he smiled and took the bag.
“Thank you, Allen.”
Allen had…the most adorable blush.
“Have a good night,” said Allen. “Please don’t impale yourself on something until you’re outside and I’m no longer liable.”
Okay, Jake deserved that one.
Wanting to save what was left of his pride, he hurried out of the store and made a beeline for his car parked the next block over. Riley was waiting for him, leaning against the salt-splattered side of his BMW, smoking a cigarette and glaring at his phone.
His best friend looked up when he saw him approach, showing off his trademark smirk.
“Did you score a boyfriend?”
Jake unlocked the car and ripped the back door open, shoving his bag and the gift for Allen inside. “Shut the fuck up.”
Riley opened the other side and went to put his equipment in the back, too, but Jake smacked the top of the car to get his attention.
“You’re sitting in the back. Leave room for yourself or walk.”
Riley’s mouth fell open, but a wide grin quickly covered up his shock. “You fucking player. You’re making a move already?”
Jake said nothing and got into the driver’s seat.
“I knew it!” Riley threw his bag on top of Jake’s, nearly falling onto the backseat in his haste to get inside. “You guys started eye-fucking each other the moment your gazes met. I swear time slowed down like we were in a romance movie.”
Jake ignored him and turned the key, keeping the car in park so he could remove his jacket and toss it over Riley’s head.
“Hey!”
He moved the car forward, being mindful of the slippery roads as he drove toward the store where Allen worked.
“Ted told me that he texted his wife. She’s already making wedding invitations for you.”
Was he allowed to park on Barrington Street?
“I asked Reed for date ideas, because you seriously need all the help you can get.”
Jake pulled to a stop outside the store and looked in through the window. The lights were too dim for him to see anything.
“Want me to look up rings? What kind of metal do you think he likes?”
What?
Jake yanked his rearview mirror to the side so he could make eye contact with his friend. “What are you rambling on about? I haven’t even gotten his number yet.”
Riley shrugged. “Dude, I’ve known you since we were five years old and breaking sticks over each other’s helmets. I’ve never seen you this interested in anyone, guy or girl.”
So? That didn’t mean he and Allen were going to get married.
Jake wouldn’t say no if Allen walked out of the shop and went down on one knee, but he didn’t think he would be that lucky.
“There’s something about him,” said Riley, and his goofy demeanour shifted into the softer, smoother mask he only wore around Jake. “He’s pretty, but I don’t think it’s just that—not for you.”
Riley knew him too damn well.
But Jake didn’t know words. Hell, he could barely find the right ones to speak half the time. How could he explain to Riley that this was different? How could he tell him when he didn’t know himself?
