Page 21 of Playing His Game

Jorts rolled his eyes. “The Armadillos’ mascot. Mo, obviously.”

“You’ve already met him.”

Jorts gave him a look. “I’ve met the owners’ kid and the guy who makes you wanna break champagne glasses.”

“I never broke?—”

“I thought you were going to snap it in half,” Jorts said blandly, and Adam huffed. “I haven’t met the guy you’re dating. So what’syourMo like?”

“Oh.” Shit, now what was he supposed to say? Jorts would meet him again soon enough, so hecouldn’tlie. “He’s kind of a brat, actually.”

He realized his error when Jorts’s eyes bugged out. He set his glass down, sputtering. “Okay, wow, that’snotwhat I was asking.”

Adam buried his burning face in his hands. “Not—I didn’t mean inbed,” he hissed. Nightmare fuel, this whole thing. “He’s… sassy. He likes to pull people’s pigtails. Um, metaphorically.”

Jorts finished wiping his eyes and raised his brows. “You don’t get enough of that at the rink?”

“Nobody at work wants to have sex with me.”

This time Jorts full-body laughed. “Now I know that’s a lie. There are at least two guys we regularly play against who absolutely would hit that.”

“What?!” Adam was blushing again, damn it. Maybe he should go without sunscreen for a few days and let himself turn into a lobster. Then at least no one would be able to tell. “Who?”

And how had Jorts noticed when Adam hadn’t?

“I’m not outing anyone’s ill-advised crush on you.” He wagged his finger. “And anyway, stop trying to change the subject. He’s bratty. You’re into it. No shock there given all previous interactions. But that can’t be all the time, otherwise you’d never have moved past wanting to strangle him. What else?”

I am not into it, Adam wanted to protest. He didn’t think it would help his case. “I don’t know! He’s, uh.” What did he even know about Mo? “He’s smart.” He’d mentioned going to college, so Adam figured that was a safe bet. “He likes cars. And kittens. He’s allergic to horses.”

“Wow. What amazing insights.” Jorts raised an eyebrow. “I can see now why after years of denying and ignoring rumors and suggestions that the two of you would make the cutest gayest couple that you decided to date him.”

God, Adam needed something to say. “He’s—he’s camp. Like ten years ago, he looked up ‘how to be gay’ and is following the manual.” It was true. Mo could turn the camp up to eleven. He thought about Mo holding the kitten and snarking and talking about Mr. Rainbow Cupcake the ill-fated pony. “But he’s different when it’s just us.”

“Hmm.” Jorts didn’t sound satisfied, but he didn’t press further. “I suppose he’ll be around more often now. I’ll get to know him better.” It wasn’t a question.

“Uh, yeah. I’ll talk to Mo.” Adam knew better than to argue when Jorts had that look in his eye.

“Good idea. Maddison is excited to meet him properly.”

Oh jeez. Adam needed to warn Mo about that.

There was a lot that Adam had to say to Mo.

When he got home after lunch, Adam pulled up Mo’s contact and stared at it. The only exchange they’d had so far was confirming pickup time for the shelter date.

Nothing for it.

We should get to know each other.

Adam chewed his lip and considered his first text.

How do you feel about a hike in South Mountain Park?

He stared for several long moments, but the Sent badge never changed to Read.

He put his phone aside and went for a nap.

I’m okay with a hike so long as it’s not up a mountain.