Page 28 of The Roommate Game

I sipped my tepid wine, casting another clandestine glance at Gus pumping Vincento’s hand. His animated gesturing probably meant he was giving the older man highlights from the game.

That was very Gus. No doubt he’d just finagled a prime table with drinks and pizza on the house for him and his buddies. I had to admit that his ability to charm his way into everyone’s good graces was strangely endearing. Emphasis on strange.

In my preoccupied state I hadn’t noticed Kelsi squeeze out of our booth and wrap herself around Gus’s left arm like a serpent. He pivoted with a lazy grin, chuckling when she grabbed his ass and nipped his jaw. I ripped my gaze away as a flash of heat crawled up my spine, clouding my vision.

Holy moly. Am I jealous?

That was bonkers. Absolutely bonkers.

I frowned, doubling my effort to engage in conversation with Jackson, who was yammering on about soy pancakes and no-bake peanut butter cookies. I couldn’t keep my eyes off Gus, though, and I didn’t relax until Kelsi returned to the table. She was giddy and silly, and I thought I overheard her say something like, “tapping that later.”

Yep…pretty sure I was jealous.

Eventually, the last of the pizzas were demolished at our table, the bill was paid, and I was free to go home and scrub my brain. I zipped my lightweight jacket and headed for the door.

A hand shot out from a nearby booth, halting my progress. “Yo, roomie! I thought that was you. What’d you order?”

I blinked up at Gus. “Uh…vegetarian with cauliflower crust.”

Gus’s expression of abject horror was nothing short of hilarious. “That’s a nightmare come true. Man, I feel sorry for you.”

“Ha. I got a piece of the meat lovers too, so it wasn’t too terrible.”

“Phew.” He patted my shoulder and stepped aside. “Gotta hit the john. See you at home.”

“Yes,um…congratulations on the win tonight.”

Gus smiled. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome and…” Oh, geez. Why was I still speaking?

“Yeah?”

“I did it. I asked Eli out. We have a date on Friday,” I blurted.

Gus held a hand up for a high five. “Check you out. Well done, Rafey. Later.”

I froze for a beat, watching Gus make his way to the bathrooms, pausing as he always did to say hi to random friends and fans. My skin was too tight for my face, my palms were clammy, and though I knew it was my imagination, it felt as if the whole damn restaurant was staring at me.

Snap out of it, Rafe. Whatever this is…just snap out of it.

I avoided Gus like the plague over the next few days. Not that it was hard to do. He was busier than I was. The Bears had a game in Granville and if we won, Smithton would advance in our division.

Bears hockey fever hit the town hard. A national media presence had descended to get a front-row seat to the action, thanks to Walker Woodrow’s coverage onWhat’s New, Smithton?It was great press for the school and our sportsprograms, but the downside was that parking was an issue, and the restaurants and bars were overcrowded.

Just in time for my date with Eli.

I suggested a French bistro in Edgeview for our Friday evening rendezvous. Eli agreed and offered to pick me up.

I dreaded the night.

What can I say? I’d become a contrary little asshole.

But honestly, it was nice. French music, candlelight, spring flowers on linen tablecloths, warm bread with salted butter, fantastic wine, and delicious food. Don’t ask me what I ate. I chose the least expensive item on the menu in deference to my dwindling checking account, and it was dreamy.

Best of all, we never ran out of things to talk about. Yes, it was all figure-skating related, but I didn’t mind. Warmup routines, choreography, and the time I’d fallen on my ass mid camel spin. Eli snickered and shared a few self-deprecating stories too. We gabbed through dessert, seamlessly split the bill, and headed back to his car without missing a beat.

It was a nice date. Really nice.