Page 3 of Unscripted Love

“What game are you into these days?” Gabe asked randomly.

I looked at him in surprise and said, “World ofWarcraft. I know, you probably think I’m acting like a ten-year-old.”

“No, I don’t think that. You’re not the only guy I know in this town who’s hooked on that game,” Gabe said. I fought to keep my composure because I was certain that he was talking about Kyle. Even though I found Gabe and Kyle’s friendship odd, I never questioned that it was right. They were better as friends than lovers, and they obviously talked about the things happening in their lives.

Luckily Josh saved me from a response. “You don’t say?” he asked Gabe.

“I just did,” Gabe replied smartly.

I looked back and forth between them in confusion. Were they about to get into an argument? “Um, I hate to break up whatever is going on here, but do you think we could eat now?” I asked. “I haven’t eaten all day.” As if to emphasize my misery, my stomach growled angrily.

“I do believe Gabe and I can table this discussion until later,” Josh said somewhat huffily as he returned to the kitchen. I shot Gabe a sympathetic look, but he didn’t see it because his eyes were locked on Josh. I suspected the good detective had a long night ahead of him.

It was obvious as hell the next day that Josh and Gabe discussed who else in town was playingWorld of Warcraftbecause Josh started shoving me in Kyle’s direction. Okay, he didn’t exactly have to twist my arm to convince me to help him at Diva’s next vet appointment. He wasn’t responsible for me putting on a new shirt, cologne, or the brown leather half-boots that I couldn’t pass up when I received my first royalty check. I told myself I was doing it for me, but he saw right through me.

Once again, I found myself alone in the exam room with Kyle when the receptionist told Josh he needed to fill out new paperwork to update their records. I thought he stood a little closer than was proper, but I wasn’t complaining until Josh’s cat bit me when I didn’t hand her over to Kyle quick enough. I set her down on the floor and looked down to see if I still had my finger.

“Damn, that hurt,” I said as I looked around for something to wipe away the blood.

“Here, let me take a look,” Kyle said. He had just dabbed the wound and was examining it closer when Josh walked into the room. “Well, at least we know the little vixen is well-vaccinated.”

“What happened?” Josh asked.

“Your little slutty cat bit me when I didn’t hand her to Dr. Dimples quick enough,” I told him. Kyle stood up a little straighter and blinked at me several times before a wide smile spread across his face. I felt the blood drain from my face when I realized what I’d said. I should’ve been used to it by then, but I was still shocked by the words rolling out of my mouth.

“Dr. Dimples, huh?” Kyle asked. “I like it. Maybe I should change my avatar name to that.”

“Chaz playsWorld of Warcrafttoo,” Josh told him. “He’s really good at it. Plays at night and makes a lot of friends around the world.”

I looked at him with bulging eyes that pleaded with him to shut up. The last thing I needed was Kyle to start adding up facts and figure out I was the Drew he’d spent more time masturbating with than playing games.Shut the fuck up, Josh. If you love me the tiniest bit, please shut the fuck up.Josh was on a roll and had no intention of stopping.

“I think he’s met a guy online and just doesn’t want me to know about it. He worries I’ll make fun of him or something.” Josh rolled his eyes for effect.

“Josh,” I growled a warning.

“I would never!” Josh clutched his heart dramatically and batted his eyelashes innocently. “We never know when we’ll find the other half of our soul. Sometimes they’re standing right in front of you all along.”

By that time, Kyle was staring into my eyes and looking like he wanted to kiss me. I don’t know what he would’ve done because Alyssa burst into the room just then.

“Dr. Vaughn,” she said breathlessly, “Beth Handerneski called and said their bull got loose. They tracked him down and lured him back in the trailer, but not before he cut himself pretty bad on a fence. They want to know if you can come out and take a look at him.”

Kyle broke eye contact with me and looked at Alyssa. “Tell them I’ll be out there as soon as I finish up here.”

When he looked at me again, his professional mask was back in place. “I’ll let Molly give her the booster so that Diva doesn’t get mad at me.” Josh laughed at his comment, but I was still too stunned from ourmomentto react. Kyle didn’t miss a beat, though. “I better get out to the Handerneskis’ farm and look at Tank. I’ll see you guys around.” He studied me closely once more and said, “Maybe I’ll find you online, and we can play together.”

I didn’t think it was possible for my face to turn redder than it already was, but I was wrong. I also didn’t think I’d ever find myself in such an embarrassing situation with Kyle again, but I was wrong. So very wrong.

Ididn’t remember much about Chaz Bailey from my younger years in Blissville because there was an eight-year difference in our ages. We didn’t exactly run in the same circles back then, but he was friends with my middle sister, Brittney. He’d been to our house for her birthday parties and stuff, but I honestly didn’t pay much attention to him. That changed when I returned to my hometown to take over my grandfather’s veterinary practice when he decided to retire.

I’ll never forget the first time I saw him. He was standing in the produce section at Sac-N-Save with Josh, who I hadn’t recognized at the time either. At first, I thought he was just a cute guy, but then he smiled and laughed at something Josh said to him. I don’t mean a little giggle; I mean a throw-your-head-back kind of laugh. The sound of it sent an electric zap straight to my nuts, and I was like “hello.” The bright lights in the grocery store made it easy for me to see the mirth sparkling in his blue eyes.

“How about these?” he had asked Josh, holding up two kiwis for inspection. “Firm, but not mushy and fuzzy; not too hairy either.”

“Oh,” Josh had replied, “just how you like ’em, Chaz.” I recognized that name as one of the kids who hung out with Brittney, but I couldn’t reconcile the grown man with any particular memories.

Chaz had tipped his head to the side and puckered up his lips like he was thinking hard about something. “Well, I prefer them smooth if I’m going to get up close and personal with them.”

Insane lust sparked inside me, and I veered down the next aisle to get away from him. I think I spent fifteen minutes studying the selection of macaroni and cheese the store offered while forcing my brain to think about something other than the feel of Chaz sucking my nuts into his luscious mouth. Men are wired to think about sex and being in a relationship didn’t change that, but the good ones knew not to act on those thoughts. I considered myself a good man and had recommitted myself to making my relationship with Gabe work.