Page 84 of The Boyfriend Gamble

The dog’s ears twitched at his name.

Wet dog…how charming.

Still, the idea of sitting home alone didn’t exactly appeal. Jasper wouldn’t be back for hours—if not longer. If I had my phone, then I could answer it if it he called. We’d all exchanged numbers within the badminton group when he joined. “Sure. Anything I can bring?”

“Nope. We’re having buttered popcorn and cola.”

I restrained myself. Both were awful for dental health. “Sounds great. I’ll be over in five.” I had enough snow cleared to close the garage door. Honestly, nothing else mattered.

“Perfect. We’re watching a sappy gay romance with Cole Hamilton and Peter Erickson.”

I squinted. “The one Peter won an Academy Award for?”

“Yep.”

The film had been on my list for a couple of years, but I’d never gotten around to watching it. “You going to provide the tissue?”

Rayne cackled. “Oh, you bet. I’m getting out of this shit.” With that he hustled Champ down the laneway, sticking to the tire tracks left by Taryn’s truck.

I closed the garage door, hung the broom in its spot, and headed into the house.

You still should bring something.

I toed off my boots and hustled upstairs. When I got to the kitchen, I opened my freezer. Score! A container of mini chocolate éclairs. I snagged my phone, abandoned on the counter.

—You like éclairs? —

—Oh God, yes. Rayne says he loves you. —

I laughed at Everett’s response. They were also my dad’s favorite, so I often took some to the nursing home. Oh, and Simeon’s grandparents loved them as well. The two of them were newer to the home, and Dad had taken a shining to the older couple immediately. Helped that Ryan, their grandson-in-law, brought his therapy dog, Chia, to visit.

For a moment, I considered. I always had a treat in my pocket for Chia. I opened the container and snagged one. Surely Rayne wouldn’t mind if I gave one to Champ.

I packed everything, headed downstairs to put my boots on, went outside, locked the door, and put my head down against the blowing snow.

Please let Jasper be okay.

I have so much I need to say to him.

Whether the words would come or not was an entirely different matter.

Chapter Six

Jasper

Iclearedsnowuntilitbecame dangerous for me to operate the plow. And I’d hit my maximum of thirteen hours.

And still the snow came down.

Taryn had been called to help seven people who’d skidded into snowbanks. Another truck would take calls while she went down for a hard eight as well. She said it would be okay if I parked the truck at Cameron’s townhouse complex since I had to clear it. Digging out would be a bitch, but the snow was lessening.

Right?

Regardless, I needed rest.

I’d texted Cameron—I had the number because of badminton—and he’d encouraged me to come.

When I stepped wearily into his garage, he pressed a kiss to my cheek, took the cooler bag, and coaxed me into the house.

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