I smirk and then rip into the back end of his sandwich. Because he doesn’t need to remind me that he’s not into me. I already know.
He eyes the large bite mark in his food, and sighs softly, “I’ve made mistakes in my life that have led to this.”
I laugh. “Nah, man. I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to you. You told me that one night while you were asleep.”
Elliot looks like he could die. He makes a slightly strangled sound in his throat as Magnus shifts suddenly toward us in his seat.
“I’m sorry, are you two sleeping together?” Magnus asks.
“Absolutely not,” Elliot remarks in a clipped tone, finally finding his voice.
I laugh and throw my arm across the back of the booth.
“He’s just being shy. I sleep in his bed most nights. It’s fucking comfy. He has this fancy mattress that feels like sleeping on a cloud. He said it was ten grand. This dude is Mr. Moneybags. He’s a doctor too.”
Elliot stares at me, completely perplexed, and I fiddle with his earlobe a little. Despite the dismay on his face, Elliot leans into my touch and I smile.
But then my attention is drawn to Emery, who is suddenly holding out a handful of lollipops.
“I brought something for you,” he announces with a grin.
Elliot shakes his head when they’re offered to him––because, of course he does––so I grab two. Don’t want to be rude. Plus, I love candy. I unwrap and pop both suckers in my mouth simultaneously because I’m an adult, and the only good part about being adult is getting to do what you want, am I right?
“Fuck yeah. These are good,” I grumble, my words coming out muffled.
Magnus rolls his eyes and pockets a sucker. “I’ll save this for later then. Apparently, Luke may need it. He’s having a mini orgasm over there.”
I just continue to suck on them, and from the corner of my eye, I can see Elliot watching me in…something. I’m just hoping it’s not disgust. But I’m not changing for him. He can take me or leave me.
I mean, I hope he takes me. I really, really want him to take me. To pick me.
Magnus scoots out of the booth and claps his hands to get our attention.
“Alright, listen up. So, we need to go likenow. It will take about fifteen minutes to get to the laser tag place, and we need to check in…Luke, do not do that with your sucker. That is not sanitary.”
I eyeball my brother’s husband as Elliot continues to watch me.
“I guess I can’t get out of this,” Elliot asks me softly.
“Fuck no. You’re stuck with me all damn day.”
“Fine, but my sisters do not find out about this,” Elliot replies, and I smirk at him.
“Too late,” I say, and Elliot groans.
* * *
Fuck, laser tag is fun.
I can’t stop howling. I feel like a badass motherfucker right now because we are annihilating the other team. We are in a battle to the death, and I am winning.
It’s Sem, Emery, and I versus Elliot, Magnus, and August. And damn, I’m glad we did it this way. My teammates are crushing them to dust. We don’t mess around.
Well, more like I don’t mess around. I’m taking no prisoners. Sem keeps eyeing Magnus with what looks like equal parts worry and lust. Emery is shirtless and bouncing around like a pogo stick.
But still, there is no way those weak fuckers are going to win. No. Way. We have just a few more minutes before our time is up, and we are so far ahead that I know we will come out on top.
I’m behind a hay bale, and another howl erupts from me. I can’t contain it. I’m part werewolf now.