Page 91 of Playing Dirty

Granted, he’s the only one who knows about what’s really happening between me and Theo—at least the emotional depths of it on my part. Though, after tonight, I know Torin and Vaughn will have some kind of inkling as well.

Vaughn’s gaze collides with Theo’s again, and he motions around the table. “Let me guess. You can’t believe a big jock could possibly be friends with any of us, right?”

“And here we go again,” Torin mutters under his breath.

I roll my lips inward, knowing Vaughn is two seconds away from going into his spiel about our friendship defying stereotypes and societal expectation. Thankfully, Miles steps in, holding up his hand and answering Theo’s non-question.

“Yes, we’re an eclectic group, but that’s what makes it all the more fun to hang out with us.” He shoots a wink Theo’s way before adding, “Stick around, stepbro. You’ll find out soon enough.”

“Whatever you say, frat boy,” Theo shoots right back.

Well, I’ll be damned.

He fits in better than I could’ve ever imagined, let alone hoped. And from the way my friends all share a glance, they’re thinking the exact same thing.

Torin emerges victorious less than ten minutes later, much to the dismay of Vaughn and Miles. I’m not sure why they’re surprised, seeing as Tore or I usually win when they’re too busy picking on each other, but they clearly haven’t caught on to that tactic yet.

Theo, on the other hand, doesn’t look the slightest bit perturbed for having lost the game. If anything, he’s the picture of content; smiling and laughing right along with my friends while they toss little jabs and insults at one another.

And the sight…it does something stupid to the organ in my chest.

“On that winning note, I’m going to bed,” Torin states while rising from the floor. For the first time all night, a smirk hints at the corner of his mouth when he looks between me and Theo. “You two kids keep a lid on it, all right? I don’t wanna hear you through the walls all night.”

I can’t help the way my jaw slackens slightly, the comment being one I’d expect from Miles, who is covering his mouth in an attempt to hide his snickering as he gets up too.

I’m gonna kill them all. Every single one of them.

But again, Theo surprises me by smirking at him and offering a quick, “If you’re jealous, just say that, Torin.”

Then the wildest thing happens. Torin lets out an amused chuckle while shaking his head.

“Careful with this one, Maddy Boy. He’s gonna get you in trouble,” Miles quips while motioning toward Theo.

“You guys are dicks. I think they’re cute together,” says Vaughn as he shoves Torin and Miles away from the living room.

Okay. Maybe Vaughn is safe.

The three of them disappear from sight, Torin and Vaughn calling out a goodnight before heading back next door. Miles lingers in the kitchen for a few, grabbing water and not-so-subtly watching us clean up the game pieces before turning in for the night too.

I know Theo’s probably looking to do the same, but no part of me wants to call it a night yet. So I try to stall the inevitable moment of him going home by offering another activity.

“Wanna watch a movie or something before you go?”

I’m fully prepared for him to say no. I can’t even blame him if he does, the game having gone on longer than expected.

Yet, to my surprise, he shrugs and replies, “As long as it’s nothing scary.”

Shit, I’d put on fuckingFrozenif it meant keeping him for another hour.

I settle onto the sofa, dragging him down with me before he can change his mind. He does his best to get comfortable while I grab the remote, but when I look over, I find him in some weird, contorted position over a foot away.

Laughing softly, I mutter, “What the hell are you doing?”

Without giving him a chance to answer, I grab his wrist and pull him toward me until we’re both lying down. The couch isn’t quite big enoughfor two six-foot-plus athletes, and with him tucked between my side and the backrest, I have to have one foot on the floor for balance. But there’s not a chance in hell I’ll be caught complaining—it’s certainly better than him over in Siberia on the other side of the sofa.

“You think it’s safe to watch a movie crushed together like this?”

I laugh a little while I scroll through our streaming services to find something for us to watch. “I don’t know about you, but I have mastered the art of self-control.”