Page 10

Caleb

“So sexy it hurts,” I sing, teasing Mason in an effort to make him forget his pain as I waggle my eyebrows and finish wrapping his leg.

“Dumbass.” He smiles weakly, sprawling out on his hotel bed.

No matter how much I plead, he won’t tell Grayson the extent of his leg injury.

He’s the dumbass, but I won’t kick him while he’s down.

I rummage through his duffle and find the bag with pain relievers.

“Take acetaminophen in an hour, then in two hours more ibuprofen. I can stay here, if you want.” Poker night was my idea, but he’s more important than a game.

“Stop smothering me.” He tries to sound annoyed but fails.

“You love it.” I fall on his chest and hug him, rocking back and forth. It’s possible I overdo it when he’s hurt, but everyone should have help when things go wrong.

After rechecking Mason has everything he needs, I find Drake’s room.

Lucky answers with a wide grin. “I hear you’re going to win all my man’s money.” He joins me in the hall instead of allowing me to enter. “Hey, I’ve been meaning to talk to you.”

Immediately, I think he’s going to call me out for crushing on Leo. “Okaaaay.”

“Listen, if I’m out of line, tell me to go to hell, but I thought I’d mention it.

” He shrugs and I’m sweating. “You made the comment a while ago that you thought you’d hookup or date more.

” He pauses and I snort. “Drake figured out that I’m demisexual, and it occurred to me that you might be too.

I’m here to talk, or we can pretend this convo never happened,” he says, casually leaning against the door frame.

“Thanks.” I take a second to settle my nerves. My attraction has been singularly focused on Leo since my teen years, with only a few exceptions. I’m not sure exactly where I fit in. “I’ll let you know if I have any questions.” He slaps my back, and we enter the room.

As soon as I see Leo, I freeze. Lucky must sense my panic, confusion, or the need to run because he nudges me closer to the table.

“I wrangled Coach Griffin into playing when you said Mason wasn’t coming.”

No need to worry, but my heart rate doesn’t get the memo and spikes. Totally cool. I’ll play a few hands, then check on Mason. I lifted his key to get back in.

Somehow, I’m standing next to Leo while my heart rate tap dances and I’m sweating.

Leo’s in a forest-green sweater so soft I want to touch it, and it makes his amber eyes pop. I have to remember the man is straight. For some reason, that argument doesn’t ring true in my head, but it doesn’t matter. He’s Mason’s dad.

He examines his wallet and says, “I only have forty in American cash.”

I disassociate and blurt out, “No worries, Papa Griff. I got ya covered.”

Leo startles, and I’m not sure if it’s my informal tone or the offer.

He opens his mouth, but Ace asks, “Have you played before?”

“I hosted games back in the day.” He puts his hands in his pockets and rocks on his heels.

“That’s card shark speak for he’s an expert.” Lucky groans.

Leo pulls out the chair next to me. Drake arranged for a folding table and chairs to be delivered. I offered to host, but never considered where we’d sit.

“Benz has proclaimed he’s winning all my man’s money. Who wants a side bet on that?” Lucky snaps a crisp hundred.

“I’m assuming you’re betting on Drake, and I’m not stupid enough to take that bet.” Grayson pushes the neat piles of chips Ace arranged to each of us.

“How many times did you have to change so you didn’t twin tonight?” I shoot back. They’ve never seen me play poker. I’m really gosh darn good.

“They sent each other pics before leaving their rooms,” Drake deadpans.

“Good one, Sugar.” Lucky holds up his hand for a high five.

“No kissy face tonight. This is a serious game.” I space my chips evenly.

“Awww, don’t be jelly that you haven’t found your own Daddy Drake,” Lucky coos, and runs his fingers along Drake’s forearm.

Leo coughs, and his mouth opens and closes a few times.

“You guys have elephant memories. Say one thing and—”

Gray interrupts Lucky’s animal facts, saying, “Ignore them. I’m sure you heard the PR disaster when Lucky wore a shirt declaring himself Drake’s property. Our Baby Benz is looking for his very own Daddy.”

My mother believes the earth has mystical powers, but it doesn’t swallow me up like I ask. I don’t need enemies when these guys are my friends. Thankfully, they have no idea that I’m obsessed with Leo because it would be ten times worse.

They’re the big brothers I’m glad I never had.

Leo’s amber eyes drink me in like a hungry lion, and I’m torn between supreme embarrassment and wanting to be his prey. I’ll never tell him he’s the one I dreamed of being my Daddy. Going to scrub those thoughts from my brain.

“Let’s play,” I growl, frustrated with myself. I’m desperately aware of Leo’s body next to mine. The table and chairs aren’t built for hockey players, and our legs and arms brush constantly. I barely notice Gray next to me while Leo’s body heat burns my skin on the other side.

The cards swim in my vision.

This is fine.

No big deal.

The rules of poker are easy.

I’ve got this.

I won’t embarrass myself while Leo witnesses it.

I won’t.

“Benz are you betting or not?” Gray nudges me.

Fuck.

I’ve got decent cards, a king, ten, suited, so I raise the bet by a thousand.

Ace, Drake, and Lucky, who are all sitting across from me, fold.

Ace turns the river, and I’ve got nothing, losing the hand to Leo, who has a pair of queens.

The night doesn’t get better.

Every time I’m dealt good cards, they fold.

“We should tell him.” Lucky surveys the table. “Even though it’d be cool for my Sugar to buy me something pretty with his winnings, it’s like taking candy from a baby.”

“I never lose this much at poker,” I complain.

Gray shoots me a sympathetic glance. “Do you play online?”

“Yes?” I say as a question, wondering what that has to do with anything.

“Have you seen your face?” Drake asks.

Leo’s a magnet, and as nervous as I am to face him, my body ignores my mind.

“Everyone has tells you pick up on when you play with them enough. Yours is this.” Leo’s hand circles inches from my face. “Your face lights up or your brows furrow, depending on your cards. You would’ve made a killing as a silent screen actor.”

“Like your teenage years, back before movies had sound,” I lash out, and the guys break into laughter.

“I deserve that.” Leo’s laugh is rich and fills the space between us.

“What can I do? It’s my face.” I scrunch it up and touch it with my fingertips.

“It takes practice. You have a hockey game face and can develop a poker face.” Leo stands. “Switch sides with us so Caleb can see himself in the mirror.” He motions to Drake and Lucky, intent on teaching me. My heart does an ice-skating death drop spin.

When I’ve tapped out on embarrassment, I trip, land at Leo’s feet, and say, “Hey there, big guy, wanna help me up?”

We stare at each other for a beat, and by the time he offers me his hand, I’ve already pushed myself up, knocking into it with my head.

Maybe this is all a stress dream, or I’ve entered an alternate universe. Or maybe an asteroid will hit the hotel and…what am I thinking? I can’t wish death upon my teammates. I’m racking up so much bad karma. My mom should visit and give me a sage cleansing.

When I sit down, I can see myself in the mirror and I’m beet red.

Leo hands me a small stack of chips. “Take this out of my buy-in.” He eyes Ace and confirms we’re good to play.

“Now imagine Drake has the puck, skating full speed at you,” he whispers so only I can hear. “Check your face in the mirror. Notice your concentration. Don’t change your face when you check your cards.”

He’s close enough that his breath tickles my ear, and his leg presses up against mine. I tug at the collar of my shirt, happy my reflection doesn’t give away my desire to be closer to him.

I peek and have an ace and a king. Leo clears his throat, and I see my expression in the mirror. I’m smiling from ear to ear. Zero poker face. I groan.

“It was your first try. Keep practicing.” Leo folds with a flick of his wrist.

I’ll do anything to keep his attention focused on me. Even if it’s torture.