When Riley attempted to get him into a headlock, he had to quickly duck out of the way, and he ended up tripping over his own feet and taking Riley down with him. They fell in a tangled heap on the floor, laughing.
“For God’s sake, you two.” Abi peered down at them, shaking her head.
“Yeah, take it upstairs before any clothes come off.” Jake joined in as he and Dylan appeared on the stairs.
Alex ignored Jake, well used to comments like that where he and Riley were concerned. “Funny how you both appear now all the decorating’s done. Bloody typical.”
Dylan scoffed. “Like the Christmas police would let us do anything, anyway.”
Alex had to concede Dylan had a point. Abi and Riley were pretty strict where fairy lights were concerned. He stood and held out a hand to Riley, mildly surprised to see him blushing. Riley never normally got embarrassed by the stupid stuff the guys said to them.
Nick clapped his hands, startling them all. “Well, it’s done now. Are we going for a walk or staying here with beer?”
With perfect timing—in Alex’s opinion, because as much as he loved walking round here, he was knackered—the first few spots of rain appeared on the windows, quickly turning into a downpour.
“Beer it is.”
After handing out a round of drinks, Nick settled on the sofa with Abi and Jake, while Dylan knelt in front of the TV. Alex stood next to Riley.
Dylan held a PS4 game in each hand. “FIFA 17orCoD?” Abi and Jake votedCoD, Nick and Dylan wantedFIFA. “Alex, Ri? What about you guys?”
They looked at each other and grinned. “Like you even have to ask,” Alex answered for them.
With a groan, Dylan put in theCoDdisc and grabbed the four controllers. “Who wants to play first? We can swap in a bit.”
Alex glanced at Riley, who nodded back at him. “You guys play. We’ll watch and make fun.”
“Look at that, they’re telepathic now.” As Riley gave him the finger, Dylan laughed and handed the other three controllers to Abi, Nick, and Jake.
“Come on,” Riley nudged Alex in the direction of the empty bit of sofa. “Might as well get comfy.”
Alex settled down on the thick cushions next to Riley and watched the others try to kill each other.
Three beers later and Alex had pretty much given up on the idea of playing. Riley was warm and comfy beside him, and Alex shamelessly leaned on him, scooting down enough so he could rest his head on Riley’s shoulder. Work had been hard this week, busier than normal, which made his dad’s decision to let him have time off even more amazing. Alex yawned and waved Dylan away again when he tried to offer him the controller. “I’m fine with watching.”
“Ri?” Dylan half-heartedly waved it in Riley’s direction instead. “You guys wanted this game. Come on.”
“Nah, I’m good, too.”
Dylan laughed and shook his head. “What a surprise.” He turned back to the TV. “Don’t start moaning later that we hogged the game.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it.” Riley fidgeted, then poked Alex in the shoulder. “Shove up a sec, my arm’s going numb.” He pushed on Alex’s shoulder again to get him to move.
Alex moaned in protest. “I was comfy.”
“Yeah, I know, but I can’t feel my fingers.”
Reluctantly, Alex sat upright. Suddenly cold on one side, he pulled a face and shivered. But before he could complain about it, Riley huffed next to him and lifted his arm up.
“For fuck’s sake, you’re such a whiny bastard. Get in here.” Riley tugged him back in and under his arm, so Alex now cuddled up against his shoulder.
Alex smiled to himself and closed his eyes… just for five minutes.
