Page 30 of Playing for Keeps

Luke’s forehead scrunched. “How? He’s pretty much your doppelgänger.”

“Only in looks. He can be so…serious sometimes. And then he’ll crack up unexpectedly and his laugh is your laugh, totally.”

“Poor kid,” Luke said. His throat worked for a few seconds before he spoke again. “I’m sorry...about the whole situation. I…overreacted.”

His admission had me blinking.

I huffed out a breath. “Nah, I get it. The whole thing must have been a shock to you. And shit, we were only kids.”

Luke scuffed his foot in the gravel. “Yeah, it was a shock,” he said finally.

I stuck out my hand. “Friends?”

Luke stared at my hand for a few agonizing heartbeats, then reached forward to engulf it in his.

His palm was warm and dry against mine. He gave a brief squeeze before letting go.

“Friends,” he agreed.

Chapter8

Luke

Last day of training camp.

I’d achieved everything I’d set out to do. I’d gotten to know my teammates and the support staff, and I’d hopefully proved I was going to be a decent contributor to the team.

My gaze drifted to Ethan.

In some areas I’d achieved more than I’d intended. Because things between Ethan and me… Well, it felt as if we were on our way back to being normal. Which was a good thing.

Life would be easier if Ethan and I were friends.

It had been so easy to hang out with him again. Like slipping into an old pair of jeans that were so well worn they fit like a second skin. Back to joking with him, laughing with him. Back to being us.

Was I flirting with danger?

Maybe it’d be better if we were friendly but didn’t aim to get our friendship back to where it had been before.

I was still mulling the idea over as we finished up the last of the training exercises and headed back to our cabins to pack up. As we hauled our gear out to the team bus, Ali distracted me.

“So, you want to come out clubbing some time?” he asked. “Check out the local talent in Christchurch?”

“Nah, thanks for the invite, but I’m thinking my boyfriend might have an issue with that.” Despite keeping my voice casual, I couldn’t help my pulse rate increasing as I said the words.

Ali’s eyebrow shot up. “You have a boyfriend?”

“Yup.”

“Cool, bro. Although you’re another one for the ball and chain brigade. There’s getting to be too many of you guys around here.”

“Pretty sure Luke’s boyfriend is of the ball and cock variety, actually,” a voice said. Ethan threw me a smirk as he came up beside me, his bag slung over his shoulder.

“And you had to go there,” Ali said.

“If there’s a ball joke to be claimed, I’m your man,” Ethan said.

Ali laughed and punched Ethan in the arm.