He took a deep breath and let it out slowly as he turned his gaze to Cole’s.
“I don’t…” he trailed off. “I have no idea what’s happening.”
Cole was radiating sympathy. “Talk to Josh about it. You know he’ll be honest.”
They both chuckled at Josh’s habit to blurt out the inappropriate, but Riley had always found it endearing.
“Also, and this is really, really important,” Cole said, his gaze serious, “don’t try anything without lube. It makes everything easier and better.”
Riley blinked at him, stupefied by the turn in the conversation.
All he could do was nod in the direction of the rest of the party. “I’m gonna go… somewhere else now. Thanks, Cole.”
“Anytime, buddy. I’m here for anything you need. Unless it’s to be your third. Elena and I don’t share.”
Riley nodded seriously, as if he would even consider that when he was trying to wrap his head aroundoneman.
“Okay,” he said, taking a quick peek at Josh to see him sitting with everyone and still without a drink. Riley grabbed one more beer out of the cooler and opened it, to Cole’s apparent delight as he heard a squeal behind him, and took off toward Josh.
As he walked to the table, Josh’s eyes found him. He lit up as Riley approached.
“Hey, Ri, I made you a plate,” he said as he reached out for the beer. “Thanks for the drink. Sit down and eat.”
Josh pulled out the chair next to him. Riley sat in front of a plate with all his favorites from the catering trays. Josh knew him so well.
Fuck. I am in so much trouble.
12
RILEY WAS THINKING HARD about something.
Josh could tell by looking at him, the way the tension was sitting in his shoulders. Maybe he was worried Abby wouldn’t like her going away gift, but that was silly because of course she would love it.
They’d been enjoying the party for a couple hours, Riley and Josh circling the room and trying to mingle with everyone, when Josh noticed Tobias standing by himself in front of the computer that ran the sound system.
He excused himself from the conversation between a few of their friends, spotting Cole talking to one of Emilio’s grandmothers on his way to Tobias. Camila was a former mafia donna with no filter. It was dangerous for her to be talking to Cole without any supervision. Who knew what kind of chaos it could lead to? Too bad Joshwasn’t good at supervising. When he got to Tobias, he realized Riley was still at his side. They were like a wolf pack, constantly moving as one.
“Hey, Tobias, you trying to escape all the socializing?” he asked.
Josh had never understood the term brooding until he met Tobias. He’d have made a really good Bruce Wayne, if he was an actor.
“Yup, thanks so much for noticing and coming over to end that brief respite,” he said, although he didn’t actually look thankful.
“You’re welcome,” Josh said, wondering if he was missing something as Riley sighed. “Have you thought about the Inferno alumni game? Do you think you’ll play?”
Tobias’ shoulders slumped and he finally tore his gaze away from his computer screen.
“I haven’t decided yet. Shane Kendrick has been texting me about it too. When does your sister need to know?”
Kendrick was the current goalie for the Inferno. It still surprised Josh that Tobias kept in touch with anyone from the team. He personified anti-social.
Riley cleared his throat. “The sooner the better. I think she’s hoping to score points in the PR department for bringing in a good replacement.”
Tobias' gaze traveled over the party and settled onsomething over Josh’s shoulder. Josh turned and saw Chase chatting with Avery and Hailey on the other side of the room.
“I’ll let her know by tomorrow, okay? I have to figure out a couple things.”
“Sure, man,” Riley said. “And we’re going to clean everything after this, don’t worry.”
