Page 9 of Delay of Game

“How did you beat me yet again? You don’t even like games that much. Is it just birthday luck?” I huff as I set her down. My fingers squeeze her narrow waist once before I notice Robbie making his way to us. I quickly let go and take an involuntary step back. She looks at me, confused, and I try not to stare at how pretty her pink lips are tonight.

“J, are you okay?” she asks right as Robbie pulls up to us and wraps an arm around each of us.

“This place turned out so great,” he says, words sounding a bit slurred. We’re at Michael and Tangela’s new restaurant, The Arcadian, celebrating Alice’s 21st birthday.

“Someone’s having fun,” Alice teases in a singsong voice. I expected her to go crazy tonight and get drunk, but she’s been carefully sipping on her fruity cocktail for the last hour.

“Guys, let’s do shots together,” Robbie says excitedly, and I laugh. It’s been a while since he’s let loose and had some fun. After Alex left the team to move to Quebec with his professional volleyball player girlfriend, Robbie ended up taking the mantle. He’s done a fantastic job at being captain during his first season, but I can tell he’s changed. Robbie used to be a lot more carefree, but with the new responsibility on his shoulders, he’s become more of an authoritative figure on the team, taking his job very seriously.

Alice giggles again and I swear I can feel the sound of her sweet voice right down to my core. “All right, buddy, just one,” she says, and we follow Robbie to the bar. I glance over at Alice and see she’s watching me with an intense look that’s quicklyreplaced by a smile. I grin back and almost run into Robbie, not realizing he’s stopped.

“Do you think I’m doing a good job?” he asks as he signals to the bartender for three shots.

“What? As a captain?” Alice asks.

Robbie nods and she says, “Of course.”

When he looks at me earnestly, I shake my head and smile, saying, “You’re the best captain I’ve ever had.” He rolls his eyes and shoves at my shoulder, but I’m not joking. “Seriously, you’re the first one in the locker room and the last one to leave the arena. You care about your teammates and make sure they’re in top shape physically and mentally before the game, and you’re always there when they need someone to talk to. That’s huge, man. Alex was good, don’t get me wrong, but he had a different leadership style, you know? He led by intimidation, which worked just fine, but you— you lead with your heart, and I think that’s more important.”

By the time I’m done talking, Robbie picks up the shots, handing us each one. We knock them back and he wraps me up in a big hug, and even though we’re the same height and I’m slightly broader than him, it feels like he’s giving me a bear hug nonetheless.

“Aww,” Alice coos, and slithers inside our arms for a group hug.

“Thanks for being such a good friend. I’m really glad you’re part of the family now,” Robbie says, and all I can do is nod, swallowing the lump that’s stuck in my throat.

Would a good friend flirt with his best friend’s sister? Would he have the kind of thoughts I do?

I nod stiffly as we break the hug. “Yeah, sure. This place turned out amazing,” I say, referring to the newly built restaurant.

Robbie’s face brightens. “It’s so fucking cool. I’m happy they made this happen. This place is gonna be so special, I can feel it.” He hiccups and covers his mouth.

Alice meets my eyes and smiles wide.

Yeah, it’ll be special, all right.

Alice

We hangout at the bar well past closing time, my parents having brought in my favorite red velvet cake, my brothers popping open the champagne and bringing up stories of us growing up. Tangela and Jordan are the only other people I wanted here tonight for this small celebration. All the people I love, all in one place.

The champagne is sweet and bubbly as it hits my tongue. In my tipsy state, I realize that I can’t stop staring at Jordan.God, he’s so hot.

When my mom presents to me a slice of cake with a candle in it, I blow hard and wish for the same thing I’ve been wishing for the last few years.Jordan.

Maybe I’m too silly to think that anything would ever happen between us, but the more time we spend together, the more I realize that my greatest fear is losing him.

I’d rather have secret feelings for my brother’s best friend than have him out of my life.

My parents arethe first to leave, then Michael and Tangela, since they have to get back home to my niece. That leavesJordan, Robbie, and me, and we decide to take a cab back to Robbie’s house since none of us is in any condition to drive.

My brother sits up front and chats with the driver while Jordan and I keep our distance in the backseat. Jordan’s phone lights up with a text from Jess, his ex, and my stomach churns. Are they back together?

I let my curiosity get the best of me and I nod down at his phone, asking, “So, how are things with Jess? Did you two get back together?” I do my best to sound nonchalant, but my heart is beating a million miles a minute.Please say no.

“Nah, we decided to part ways for good. She’s looking for something … more,” he says softly, swiping away her text and giving me a half smile.

I mirror it and say, “Not that I knew her well, but—” I swallow hard, trying not to show my jealousy and hurt show at the fact that when I was being flirty with him, he told me he didn’t have time for a girlfriend, but then he started dating Jess. “I just think you deserve more too.”

Jordan holds my gaze for a moment and I try not to blink, memorizing the way he looks with the streetlights illuminating his handsome face. He looks like he was plucked from one of my romance novels—smoldering eyes, sharp jawline, and all that.

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