Page 154 of Men in Shorts

“Adulting is hard.”

Ben laughed. “Right? Totally worth it, though. You couldn’t pay me to time-travel back to this day last year, when I was waiting weeks for Evan to phone me, not realizinghewas waiting for MI5 to finish my background check.”

Robert thought about his life a year ago. An American developer had just bought one of his old mobile games, the funding for his Glasgow Effect project was starting to roll in—and best of all, he and Liam had just fallen in love. Everything had seemed so fuckingpossible.

“Then again,” Ben said, “if you’d told me last January that I’d be with no other men for an entire year, I’d have assumed that meant I’d died in February.” He set down his fork suddenly and straightened up. “Maybe there’s a lesson there you can apply to your game.”

Robert blinked at him, having not paid full attention. “Sorry? Lesson?”

“Long-term relationships are an exercise in maintaining interest.” Ben dabbed his napkin against his lips before continuing. “Think about what’s kept you and Liam together after the initial infatuation. Once things got regular.”

“I don’t know, we just…love each other. We’re an essential part of each other’s lives. The best part.”

“It’s that simple?” Ben asked.

“I guess. I never really thought about it, to be honest.” Robert helped himself to a second serving of rice. “Do you constantly analyze your relationship with Evan?”

“Not constantly. But neither of us is the type to settle for mere contentment. So I do think about ways to keep things challenging, but not so challenging we want to quit.” He snapped his fingers. “See, this does apply to your app. You’ve got to find that delicate balance between boredom and frustration, and keep dishing out unexpected rewards. It’s a perfect metaphor for romance.”

Is it?Robert wondered. He’d read articles and heard friends talk of how relationships required “work” in order to last, and he’d certainly muddled through difficult patches with some of his past girlfriends.

But being with Liam was…well,easy. Did that mean there was something wrong with them? Were they settling for “mere contentment”?

Did Liam need more?

Chapter3

Liam had just finished showeringbefore his Thursday night shift at the pub when he got a surprise text from Robert:

Coming over. Exciting proposition for you

Liam’s heart leapt, until he looked at the clock.

Hope it’s a quickie. Away for work in 20 mins

By the time Liam had dressed, Robert was at his door, kit bag in hand.

“Were you at the gym?” Liam asked after he’d let his boyfriend in and kissed him hello.

“Sorry?” Robert looked at his bag. “Oh. No. Not today.”

“I assumed, since Thursdays you usually work out at?—”

“I’ve had an idea.” Robert set down the bag in the center of Liam’s living room floor.

“You’re always having ideas,” Liam said as he went to tidy up the couch so he could offer a place to sit. “What’s it this time, and will I understand it without a computing science degree?”

“It’s not for work. It’s for you and me.”

“Oh.” Liam straightened up, a stack of takeaway napkins in one hand and a pair of used chopsticks in the other.

Robert took a step closer. “I know you’re worried I’m becoming a no-fun workaholic, and I think maybe you’re right. Even if you’re wrong, that’s how you feel, and I need to respect and acknowledge your point of view.”

Liam wrinkled his nose. “Sounds like a line out of couples counseling. What’s going on, Rabbie?”

“I propose a series of games.” Robert rubbed his lips—out of excitement or nerves, Liam couldn’t tell. “We come up with challenges for each other, with corresponding rewards. Each challenge gets harder, and the rewards get bigger.”

“Harder and bigger—I like the sound of that. So how do we know who wins at the end? Is there a point system?”

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