Page 116 of The Revenge Game

Dave and Pete come toward me. Dave practically bounces on his toes like a kid who’s spotted presents under the tree, while Pete keeps opening and closing his mouth like he’s rehearsing what to say.

“So, looks like you’ve found a way to ensure your tech is always functioning smoothly,” Dave says with a smirk, waggling his eyebrows.

“Dude, why didn’t you tell us so we’d stop trying to set you up with girls? Unless you bat for both teams? Which, you know, I totally respect because it increases your chances of finding a home run,” Pete says.

“No, I’m not bisexual. I’m definitely gay.”

I can’t believe how easily the words come out of my mouth. So many years of lying and pretending, and here I am, standing in the middle of the DTL Enterprises Christmas party, feeling like I’ve finally found the right playbook after years of running the wrong plays.

“He obviously waited until he was in a relationship to tell you so he could duck all your matchmaking attempts,” Dave says to Pete.

The guys start to squabble over their matchmaking prowess and my mind drifts back to Drew, to that look on his face after I kissed him. Like he was both happy and devastated.

Something is obviously going on with him. It’s almost like he’s carrying around his own version of Bobby Ray’s voice, someghost from his past that won’t let him fully embrace this thing between us.

But we’ll figure it out. Because I’m done hiding. Done pretending. Done letting memories of Bobby Ray dictate who I can love.

I’m choosing Drew. Choosing us. Choosing to be brave enough to deserve him.

Now I just have to convince him to choose me back.

Chapter Thirty-One

Andrew

So. That happened.

My lips are still tingling from Justin’s kiss.

I stagger over to the tables, where Sarah greets me with a smirk. Her Santa hat is tilted at an angle that suggests she’s been conducting thorough quality control of the mulled wine supply.

She raises her eyebrows. “So, Drew, the cute guy in sales who looks at you like you’re the best thing since automated password recovery was invented just kissed you under the mistletoe. Anything you want to share?”

I pour myself mulled wine with shaky hands and take a gulp. It burns pleasantly in my throat, giving me something to concentrate on besides the lingering sensation of Justin’s lips on mine.

After I’ve swallowed, I see Sarah is still staring at me expectantly.

“We’ve been hooking up,” I say.

I’m expecting disbelief on her face or the kind of skepticism usually reserved for when someone claims they actually enjoy British weather.

“Cool,” she says instead.

I blink at her. “Cool? That’s all you’ve got to say about it?”

“What? Did you expect me to disapprove? It’s not against company policy to hook up with a coworker.”

No, I expected her to be incredulous about the concept of Justin and me together.

“Don’t you think we’re a bit of a mismatched couple?” I say.

“Why? Because he’s in sales and you’re in IT? I don’t think that’s the kind of insurmountable differences romance books are based on.” She smirks.

“Um, no. Because he’s gorgeous, and I’m…not.”

Her forehead crumples. “He is really gorgeous, but you’re cute too. You’ve got that adorkable thing going on. You guys make a really cute couple.”

The idea that someone could look at Justin and me and think we’d make a good couple is shocking.