Page 177 of Game Night: Truth or Dare

“Sure,” I say, stepping aside to let him in. “I was just going to make a coffee. Come on through.”

As I follow him to the kitchen, all I can think about is that he called me “mate.” I don’t want to be his mate. I want to be… well, so much more. Why is he here? To lay out the ground rules and restate our friendship?

I turn on the coffee machine and grab the milk from the fridge. I go about making coffee, trying to appear nonchalant, but inside, I’m a bundle of nerves.

“So, um, about last night…” he begins, rubbing the back of his neck.

I hate that he looks so uncomfortable. My stomach flips, and I brace myself for whatever he’s about to say.

“Look, Henry, about that kiss,” Austin says. He can barely look me in the eye as he wrings his hands together.

His vulnerability is endearing, and I want to reach out and comfort him, but I hold back, waiting to see where this conversation will lead. I need him to be the one to set the direction.

“I’ve been thinking about the kiss all morning,” Austin admits.

“Me too,” I confess, watching as his eyes widen in surprise.

“You have?”

“Of course. I was thinking about it all night too.” I don’t tell him I was thinking about it with my hand wrapped around my dick. “It was a great kiss, Austin.”

“It was?”

I chuckle. “I hope it was for you too.”

His smile is wide this time. “It was a fucking brilliant kiss.”

I start heating the milk to give me something so do while having the tough part of the conversation, the vulnerable part where I put myself out there for rejection. “The thing is, I’ve been wondering if it meant anything to you or if it was just… I don’t know, an experiment?”

“An experiment? Like with men?” Austin shakes his head. “No, it wasn’t an experiment. I already know I like men. I’ve just been trying to figure out some other stuff.”

“So, have you figured it out then?”

“I think so.” He takes a step forward. “I want to explore things with you, Henry. If you’re willing to, that is, but I don’t want you to feel pressured or anything, okay? If you’re not on the same page, just tell me.”

His genuine concern warms my heart, but I’m not exactly sure what he means. Explore a relationship? Explore sex? So I joke to ease the tension. “You know me. Do you really think I’d ever turn down sex with a gorgeous guy like you?”

“Well, when you put it that way.” He laughs, but it’s forced with a hint of uncertainty beneath the surface.

“Listen.” I put down the milk jug and face him head on. “I’m more than willing to explore this with you. But we need to be honest with each other. I don’t want either of us getting hurt.”

Austin nods, his blue eyes searching mine. “Honesty. I can do that. Can we start with me asking a question?”

“Of course,” I reply.

“Not that there’s anything wrong with casual relationships, but why do you always joke about playing the field? You’re an amazing guy, and I know you have so much love to give. Don’t you want to find that one special person?”

The question catches me off guard, but I see that he genuinely wants to know. Sighing, I lean against the counter, trying to find the words to explain.

“A couple of years ago, I was in a serious relationship,” I begin, my throat tightening at the unpleasant memories. I swallow hard before continuing. “I gave everything to this guy I thought I loved, and he treated me like crap. It nearly broke me, emotionally and financially, until one day I realised I’d never been in love with him, I’d been looking for something that wasn’t there. When we finally split up, I made a pact with myself—life was about having fun, not being used by anyone else. I decided that I would take what I wanted and never let anyone hurt me again.” I think about how hard it’s been to trust anyone since then—easier to have casual relationships and not risk my heart again. But I also think that I’ve been putting this behind me lately, that maybe I’m ready to move on with my life.

Austin’s expression softens. “I’m so sorry you went through that, Henry.”

“Thanks,” I whisper.

“You deserve so much more.”

He pulls me into a hug and I melt into his embrace. I feel secure in his arms as his warmth seeps into my skin. We stay like this for a moment, just wrapped up in each other’s arms, before I draw back slightly and tilt my face. The depth of emotion I see in his eyes takes my breath away.

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