Page 44 of Wanna Bet?

​Don't pretend you forgot.

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Jace was halfway through alphabetizing a new shipment of records when his phone buzzed in his pocket.

He ignored it. A second later, it buzzed again. Then a third time.

A sigh escaped him as he pulled it free and read the messages before snorting.

Across the store, Ellis looked up from the used vinyl section and pointed accusingly.

"You got my texts."

"You sent three."

"Because you ignored the first two."

"I didn't ignore you. I’m working." Jace couldn't help the smile that formed on his lips.

Ellis gasped dramatically. "Issaky, did you hear that?"

From the back room came Issaky's deep voice. "I heard it, baby. Maybe we should dock his pay?"

Jace shook his head and returned his attention to the records. Game nights weren't new. Once a month, usually at Ellis and Issaky's apartment, the three of them got together and played whatever board game, card game, or party game Ellis had become obsessed with that week.

There was pizza, trash talk, and usually at least one argument about rules. It was familiar and comfortable, the kind of thing Jace had always liked.

His phone buzzed again, but this time it wasn't Ellis. A smile tugged at his mouth as he read the text.

Myah:

A pigeon deadass just stole my muffin.

Jace stared at the message, slightly confused, slightly entertained, before typing back.

Jace:

That's unfortunate.

Three dots appeared immediately.

Myah:

UNFORTUNATE?

Myah:

I was attacked.

Another message followed.

Myah:

I’m never feeding these fucking birds again.

A laugh escaped before he could stop it and of course Ellis caught it immediately. His eyes caught with Jace’s and he narrowed them.

"Oh my God."