Page 89 of Playing Dirty

Truthfully, I was waiting for a text from him to cancel, despite agreeing to come earlier this week. And while I would’ve understood him giving in to the fear or worry I can so clearly see on his face right now, it means a lot to me that he’s here anyway.

And because of it—and because I can’t help myself—I press another slow kiss to his lips.

Theo’s arms slide around my waist, holding me tighter to him, and it makes it nearly impossible to not agree when he asks, “You’re sure we can’t go back to my place and keep doing this instead?”

God, I could do just this for eternity and it still wouldn’t be enough.

A little laugh slips free, and I shake my head. “Tempting offer, but wouldn’t you rather kick some Blackmore ass in Catan?”

He pulls back and glares. “Using my competitive side to get your way is a dirty move, you know.”

I know it is, but I’ll do what I have to do in order to get him inside. Even if it means resorting to antagonistic tactics that rev him up into rivalry mode.

“Come on, let me officially introduce you to the guys.”

Linking my fingers with his, I take a few steps backward and drag him into the house with me. Despite the hesitation still lingering in his gaze, he follows me without protest.

The three of my friends are still in the middle of setting up the board on the coffee table when we join them in the living room, Vaughn and Torin bickering over the number placement, and Miles sorting out cards for everyone.

“Uh, guys. This is Theo,” I say, though the formality feels a bit odd.

Vaughn’s light-brown head of hair is the first to pop up, smiling from ear to ear when he notices Theo’s hand in mine still. “I’m Vaughn. Best friend to Madden and game master extraordinaire.”

“Oh, sweet Jesus,” Miles mutters under his breath.

“Torin” is all Tore says while lifting a few polish-chipped fingers in some semblance of a wave. He doesn’t even look up from what he’s doing, his shaggy black hair covering half his face.

“Ready to get your ass handed to you, stepbro?” Miles asks with a wry grin, holding out a set of cards for each of us. “I’m Miles, by the way. Madden’sactualbest friend.”

To his credit, Theo seems to take thestepbrocomment in stride, though I really might cut Miles’s dick off for it later. Jackass.

“I think I’ll be the one doing the ass-handing, thanks,” Theo says, his gaze flitting between my friends.

It’s evident from Miles’s attempt to literally keep his mouth shut—and the way Vaughn elbows him roughly—that he’s fighting his baser instinctto turn Theo’s comment into some sort of innuendo. But he somehow manages, and the three of them make room around the table for us to join.

I reluctantly let go of Theo’s hand while we settle into place on the floor, but then quickly rest my palm on his thigh once we’re all seated. Vaughn starts explaining the rules to Theo at a rapid-fire pace, meanwhile Torin discreetly takes advantage of Vaughn’s distraction to swap a few pieces on the board. And that just makes Miles and me start chuckling under our breath.

So the chaos begins.

“I can help if you get confused or anything,” I tell Theo, whispering low enough for his ears only.

A smile tugs at the corner of his lips. “And why would I ever take the advice of the enemy?”

There’s a competitive gleam in his eyes, one I’ve seen countless times before, and I can’t help the chuckle that leaves me.

“All right. You remember this moment when you’re running low on resources.”

We ease into the game, though I think that’s more for Theo’s sake than anything else, especially knowing how seriously Catanis taken in this household.

Of course, Miles and Vaughn still wind up in a trading war almost off the bat, taking cheap shots at each other whenever the opportunity presents itself. Torin being Torin, he takes silent advantage of them focusing on each other, quickly building roads and cities across a good quarter of the board, all the while creating a monopoly on bricks.

It doesn’t take long for Theo to get the hang of how to play, using his turns more strategically as time goes on too. He even goes as far as blocking meandVaughn from reaching one of the ports at the edge of the board since Torin refuses to trade any of his bricks.

But the best part of the whole thing?

There’s not a single mention of the rivalry or the stupid pennant. It’s just a group of guys having a game night, albeit a pretty cut-throat one for it being the first time meeting my— Theo.

“So, Theo,” Vaughn starts, his sapphire eyes lifting after dropping a few roads in place. “Do you like musicals?”