Page 99 of Instigator

“Sparkling water is great, thanks.”

“You got it.”

Robby sits on the couch, a fond smile on his face as he watches Colt bustle around. When my friend hands over the glass, their fingers brush, and his face flames red.

Rescuing my abandoned wineglass from the coffee table, I settle back onto the loveseat, tucking my leg under me.

“How did you meet?” I ask.

“Oh, so the interrogation is starting early.” Robby grins, setting his drink down and cracking his knuckles. “It wasn’t this big, romantic story. Not like you two.”

“Oh, so you met on Grindr?” I tease.

Colt chokes. “Cecilia,” he snaps.

“We met at the arena,” Robby says with a fond smile. He catches Colt’s hand as he walks by, tugging him onto the sofa. My friend settles on the couch and immediately moves closer to his—boyfriend? lover?—and sets his hand on the blond man’s leg. “Sometimes I skate laps before I have to resurface the ice. And he was sitting in the stands, working on his laptop.”

I laugh. “Colt, working? Color me surprised.”

The man in question sighs. “Why did we decide to do this?”

“You love me, dude.” I turn back to Robby. “Go on. Was it lust at first sight?”

“For me, yeah,” he answers readily. “Took a little longer for him. But he kept coming around, and then one day I asked him out for coffee, and…”

“And now you’re happy?” My eyes dart between the two of them.

Colt’s glare softens when he looks at Robby, a soft smile lighting his features. “Yeah. I am.”

I reach for Aidan’s hand, needing his closeness. “Aww, that’s so sweet.”

He slips his arm around me, tugging me into his side and pressing a kiss to the top of my head, then nodding to his colleague. “I’m glad you’re happy, man.”

Robby beams at him. “Thanks, MacGregor. That means a lot.”

I don’t know a lot about Robby, only the highlights. He dated Vanessa in college, then Tyler a few years later when he was a goaltender in the AHL. Injuries ended his career early. I know the superficial details. I don’t know who he is or what he’s about.

Does he have any ambitions beyond equipment managing, or does that fulfill him? Is he biding his time until something better comes along, or does he want to stay where he is and put down roots? Does he want to get married and have babies, or does he prefer the single fuckboy life? Dating doesn’t have to mean a serious, committed relationship. If this is only a fling, or if this becomes a forever type thing, as long as he treats Colt well, I’m happy.

The rest of it will come with time. We’ll get to know each other better. And just like with Hailey and Ryan, our social circle is slowly expanding.

As if reading my mind, Colt leans into Robby. “What is Hailey up to tonight?”

“She and Ryan are on a date.” Aidan makes a face. “They went to see the musical in town.”

“And you don’t like musicals?” Colt asks with a raised eyebrow.

“Musicals are fine. She’s going to sing the entire show through for the next week. It’s whatever.” He rolls his eyes. “It’s more what they’ll get up to after.”

“So you and Ryan don’t trade stories about your exploits?” Colt counters.

My stomach twists. I want him to be able to talk freely, have a safe person he can work things out with, but I have to admit, I’m uncomfortable with details about our sex life being public knowledge.

“We don’t talk about that. Strictly off-limits,” Aidan says. “I won’t disrespect Ceci like that. And I don’t want to hear what they get up to.”

“They’re engaged,” Robby points out.

Aidan shudders. “Don’t remind me. It was bad enough when he was pining after her from afar. I could ignore it then. This…”