The look Jake shared was also one of confusion…and concern. Not concern about their boyfriends dating because that was cool, but Kingston had no idea what Riley and Allen had in common, and boredom wasn’t something Riley handled well.
“They talked about karaoke,” Jake said, his expression pinched. “I can’t do karaoke. Too much noise.”
Kingston had heard Riley singing in the shower, and he wasn’t bad, but there was usually a door between them, and Kingston was either napping after getting fucked or distracted by his phone.
“You’re not worried they’re going to kill each other?” Kingston asked. “They bicker almost as much as Evans and I do.”
Jake shrugged and started walking toward the car. “Stay there. I’ll get the food, and then we can pick a spot.”
Jake was far too nonchalant about this for Kingston’s tastes, but there wasn’t anything he could do to save Riley when he was in the middle of the woods and an hour drive away from the city.
Left with no choice, Kingston let out a sigh and tried to focus on where he was instead. He resigned himself to the fact that worrying wouldn’t change anything—and that Riley was probably going to survive purely out of spite.
Hopefullyanyway, because Kingston sort of liked the guy, and it would be lonely on the ice without him.
26 /RILEY
Riley’s facehurt from laughing so much. He had no idea that an Allen, who was tipsy on mimosas, could be so entertaining. It didn’t matter that Allen refused to get up and sing, and it didn’t matter that the karaoke bar was empty except for a few giggling employees watching them from the shadows; he was having the time of his life.
Allen was a one-man army in the cheerleading department. His shouts echoed over the music, his laughter was infectious, and the times he sang along with Riley from the safety of his table were painful because he couldn’t carry a tune, but his energy was a bright star in the dark room.
In other words, Riley was down bad for the guy, and it was only their first date.
It made him wonder how Jake was doing with Kingston, but everyone had agreed to stay away from their phones to concentrate on their dates, which meant he would have to wait to hear how it went.
Allen chose the next song for him—a country duet that Riley knew too well—swiftly distracting him from his nosiness about the other guys in their relationship. He was prepared to put on another solo show that would wow the pants off the grinningbrunette sitting at the table, but he was surprised when Allen stood and came over to join him on the stage.
“I hate country, but I know the words to this one,” Allen said, nudging his arm into Riley’s side with a giggle. “I like your voice. Have you ever considered singing professionally?”
Riley didn’t have time to answer because the song was starting, and he was determined not to mess up after receiving such high praise.
The truth was, outside of hockey, singing was his next favourite thing to do. Riley had been using his voice to soothe Jake ever since they were kids, and while he assumed that meant he was a good singer, hearing it from Allen landed differently.
Allen was the kind of guy who didn’t sugarcoat his words. He had no problem telling others what was on his mind, so Riley knew the compliment came from a place of truth.
With his heart soaring, Riley put everything he had into the song, singing through laughter when Allen’s pitch went too high or when he forgot words and began cursing into the microphone.
It was different to have someone he could let loose and be silly with. He sometimes got that with Kingston, and Jake could relax if he was comfortable enough, but Riley liked to act wild now and then, and the others were too reserved for that.
And that was totally fine. Riley didn’t care if Jake and Kingston weren’t interested in going to karaoke bars or loud places like concerts, because now he had Allen. Maybe that was why the four of them worked together so well. The balance was…perfect.
“I’m not scared anymore,” Riley admitted once the song ended.
Allen was still red-faced and giggling, but he took Riley’s hand to lead them back to the table so they could catch their breath.
“Scared about what, Riles?” Allen plastered himself to Riley’s side the moment they were seated, blinking up at him through fluttering lashes.
“Us,” said Riley. “I was overthinking again and forgot to open my eyes and look at how amazing this is. The way we all care for each other and fit together so perfectly. I was worried it happened too fast, but what if it’s moving fast only because it was fate to begin with?”
The mirth in Allen’s eyes never faded, but he frowned as he touched a hand to Riley’s shoulder. His jaw. His cheek.
There was so much tenderness in the contact that tears threatened to blur Riley’s vision, but he held his shit together as Allen began to speak.
“I’m a logical thinker like you, so I know how you’re feeling. I was adamant that I didn’t need a relationship, and then Jake literally stumbled his way into my life and refused to leave. The truth was, I didn’twanthim to leave. I hated the idea of dating a younger guy until him. I hated the idea of having a boyfriend until him. I hated the idea of getting married until him. We moved so fast that there were times when I wanted to back out and put space between us, but then I felt like an idiot because who says no to this much happiness?”
Riley nuzzled his face into Allen’s hand, needing to ground himself before his mind began to spin from an overload of thoughts and feelings. He had known Allen shared his feelings to some extent, but he never expected them to be on the same damn page.
“I’ve come to the realization that life is too short,” Allen continued, softly brushing his thumb over Riley’s cheek. “I’m tired of holding back, and I think your comment about fate hit the nail on the head. Why be scared of something that was written in the stars?”
