“I’m trying,” I mutter, stabbing at the controller with my thumbs. Fuck, I’m so bad at this. Give me an engine and my hands can do magic; but I can never seem to co-ordinate my thumbs with the action on the screen when it comes to video games.
“Ser-wish,”Will cries, flashing a cocky smirk as one of his and Drew’s players score another three-pointer.
“Not fair,” Deacon grumbles. “You’re a computer guy.”
Will shrugs. “Haven’t played this one before, though. I’ll have to add it to the shortlist for next month. You’re lucky you can play all these games whenever you want, Deac.”
Deacon scoffs. “Trust me, the last thing I’m usually doing when I’m here is playing video games.”
No further explanation necessary. We’re currently at Tanner’s penthouse, which is where he and Deacon spend a lot of theirprivatetime seeing as how they’re still trying to keep things on the downlow due to the complicating factor of Tanner’s five-year-old daughter being one of Deacon’s kindergarteners.
Tanner’s pretty cool about letting us hang out here, and considering the place is equipped with a giant TV and four-player PS5—not to mention a shit ton of games— it’s become our go-to locale for video game night.
“Why next month?” Drew asks, shooting Will a curious look before shifting his attention back to the screen. “Why don’t you just get it now if you want it?”
“Oh…well, Spence kind of made a rule about “over-nerding” after Jamie and I went a little nuts at a con a few months ago. Apparently getting my own unlimited credit card isn’t a license tospend frivolously,” he says in a flawless imitation of his fiancé, prompting me to let out a snort of laughter.
“And here I thoughtyouwere the boss in that relationship,” Drew teases.
Will chuckles, not remotely bothered by the allusion to his and Spencer’s sex life, which only last year was made the topic of very public intrigue when a tabloid not only outed Spencer as bi, but also revealed his preference for being dominated in the bedroom. “Only when it really matters. But I’ve made him cut down on his designer shopping as a compromise so at least he’s suffering alongside me.”
“Guaranteed this nerding restriction or whatever the hell it is will end as soon as Tom Ford brings out the summer collection,” Deacon says wryly.
Will smirks, his blue eyes flashing with levity. “It’s already out. I’ve been taunting Spence with the catalogues—it’s been fun.”
Will’s only recently become a regular feature at these hangouts; despite the fact that he and Spencer are engaged now, he’s only been around for about six months, so it feels like we’re still just getting to know him. But the more time I spend with the guy, the more certain I am that he’s absolutely perfect for the prickly, uptight captain of our rugby team. I wouldn’t say Spencer’smellowedsince they’ve been together, but he’s at least become a bit less like a drill sergeant.
And it’s always fun watching Will and Skyler do battle in whatever the game of choice is for that night. Will’s the only one who can really give Sky a run for his money—with the exception of Tanner, maybe, but he rarely joins in—and it always amuses the hell out of me to see Skyler getting all sulky.
My eyes find the clock on the wall in the kitchen and I let out a heavy sigh. It’s almost nine pm and Skyler’s still not here. He’s been working so late since he started his new job. I know it’s supposed to be really tough, but surely there has to be a limit.
“Jesus, Jackson—concentrate,”Deacon growls.
I blink to see I’ve just let Will snatch the ball from one of our players and his guy is now bounding down the court.Fuck. “Sorry. I was thinking about Skyler. This is way too late for him to be working.”
“Long hours are kind of part of the gig, Jax,” Drew says, before letting out a little whoop as his player accepts a pass from Will and scores a basket.
“It’s Skyler,” Will says with a shrug. “Maybe he’s hooking up with someone? I mean…not that I’m judging or anything,” he adds with a wary glance in my direction.
I let out a huff of amusement. Yes, I’m very quick to jump to Skyler’s defense in any number of circumstances, but if I got offended every time someone mentioned his sex life I’d have a permanent chip on my shoulder. “No, he would have texted me.”
Will’s brows shoot up. “He texts you when he’s planning to hook up?”
I shrug. “Yeah, of course.”
“Okay…”
Drew gives a dramatic sigh, shaking his head. “Dear, naive William. Don’t worry, you’ll learn soon enough.”
“Learn what?” Will asks curiously.
“Not to be surprised by anything Jackson and Skyler do.” Drew shrugs.
I roll my eyes. “Says the guy who almost gave himself a concussion last week.”
Drew lets out a reluctant sigh. “Okay, fine. I was alittlecaught off guard by the porn thing.”
“You didn’t know that?” Deacon asks, sounding caught between surprise and amusement.
