I unzip my coat and drop into the chair beside them. “What’s up?”
“Book club,” Jaxon says, like that explains anything.
“…Ah.” I nod slowly, pretending I follow.
He smirks. “The girls get together once a month, remember?”
I don’t really remember. “Right.” Of course I’d know that…if I had a girl.
“Maria and the boys at your house?”
“No.”
“Maria used to be part of the book club but she hasn’t been there lately. I guess she’s busy with the boys and Marbles.”
And university courses, but I don’t say that, because it’s our secret.
“Oh, right. She’s on that double date with Tanner and Maeve,” Jaxon says.
My jaw tightens before I can stop it. I play it off, shrugging like I don’t give a shit. Like the idea of her sitting across from some guy right now, laughing, smiling like she did in my driveway five minutes ago, doesn’t make me want to put my fist through something.
“How’s your little kitten?” Nicklas asks, dragging my attention back.
I shake my head, huffing out a breath. “Marbles is fine.”
The door swings open again, letting in a blast of cold air, and two women who make a beeline straight for Nicklas.
“Speaking of kittens,” he purrs. “Meow.”
Jesus.
Nicklas stands, walking away to greet his bunnies.
Jaxon glances at me. “You good?”
“Yeah,” I say, a little too quick. “Just tired. Who knew a kitten would be so much work?”
He laughs. “Come on. Let’s have a game of pool.”
I push to my feet, grateful for something to do with my hands, my head—anything. He racks the balls and I force my concentration on the game. We play for a good half hour and then turn when the door opens and in walks Gunther and Noah. I pause, watching them shake water off their coats.
“Book club,” Jaxon says again, like he’s narrating my confusion. “Apparently they’re reading some hot m/m hockey romance. They’re making it into a movie.”
“Yeah,” I mutter. “I heard.”
Didn’t. Not until right now. And there it is again, that weird, nagging feeling. Like I’m on the outside of something. I’m the captain. I’ve got the respect, the team. But somehow…I missed this. The girls have their thing. The guys get kicked out and end up here.
I let out a quiet laugh, shaking my head at myself.
I want to be kicked out of the house.
What the fuck am I even saying?
“Partners?” Gunther calls, running his fingers through his wet hair.
“Is it raining?” I ask, frowning as I glance toward the door.
“Pouring,” Noah says.
