Deal Breakers (Dealing with Love 1)

I’d kept my old 49ers shirt on but exchanged my baggy sweatpants for a more flattering pair of yoga capris. I wasn’t going to dress up since we’re just watching football but I don’t want to look scrappy if anyone comes over. My only real concession is a bit of pink lip gloss.

He continues running his finger against the seam, staring at the sliver of skin he’s exposed. I know I should probably step out of his reach but my feet are rooted firmly in place.

He clears his throat. “So, Nathan’s in there?”

I nod. “He is.”

He scrunches his face. “Is Jackson in there?”

“No, Jackson isn’t really a sports fan.”

Riley looks perplexed. “How is that even possible?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. He was never really exposed as a kid, I guess. It’s not a big deal.”

“Are you serious?” he asks incredulously. “You love sports year round. How can you be with someone who doesn’t share something that takes up so much of your time?”

I take a moment to remind myself that Riley hasn’t been an active parent yet. “Yeah, I do love a good game, but it’s not the same anymore. I catch them when I can, but Nathan and my job take up most of my time now. If I do want to hang with the group and watch something, Jackson doesn’t mind. He’d rather do his own thing than suffer through something that doesn’t interest him.”

Riley opens his mouth to say something but the elevator dings, indicating a stop on my floor. I see Brody step out and start walking our way.

He nods when he sees us. “Hey, cocksucker, I thought you were going to wait for me outside?”

Riley turns towards him. “That was before you were late, asshat.”

Brody laughs and then zeros in on Riley’s hand which is now gripping my waist. I follow his gaze and immediately step back so Riley’s hand falls to his side.

I rub the back of my neck and open the door. “C’mon in, guys.”

RILEY

SHIT, I CAN’T BELIEVE Brody just walked in on that. The touch was purely innocent. Okay, mostly innocent, but I know he picked up on the tension in the air. I have no doubt he’s going to grill me about it later. I can’t stop thinking about what Drew said. I do need to watch myself. Devyn is involved with someone and I need to respect that, despite my suspicions that they have very little in common. It’s just so damn hard when I feel so comfortable around her even after all these years apart. I touched her countless times during our friendship —it’s second nature almost. Sure, being together that one night changed that—it’s much more sexually charged now—but it still feels like the natural thing to do.

We follow Devyn inside. The place is nice. Homey. The walls are light gray with large windows overlooking the city. Their living room is right off the entryway and the attached kitchen is towards the back. Framed photos are everywhere but I can’t really make them out without looking too obvious. I make a mental note to look later.

Drew gets up from the leather recliner and greets Brody with a man hug/shake thing. “Hey, dude, how’s it hangin’?”

“Down to my knees, brother. Down to my knees,” Brody replies.

Drew laughs. “In your dreams maybe.”

Devyn rolls her eyes and takes the chair Drew had just vacated. Nathan immediately climbs on her lap and starts shoveling orange crackers into his mouth.

I kneel in front of them. “Hey, buddy.”

Nathan grabs a handful of little orange fish from his bowl. “Hey, dickweed.”

“Nathan!” Devyn scolds.

Drew laughs. “That’s my little man.” He leans over the arm of the couch and gives Nathan a fist bump.

Devyn glares at Drew. “You’re not helping. Go put money in the jar.”

Drew groans and starts walking towards the kitchen.

“The jar?” I ask.

Devyn smirks. “Yeah, Drew is single-handedly funding Nathan’s college education. Every time he or Nate say a bad word, he has to pay up. We all know the kid didn’t get that part of his vocabulary from me.”