Page 109 of Challenge Me

He shot an exasperated look toward Oli, who quickly brought the soda to his lips and refused to meet his boyfriend’s eyes.

I set the whiskey down and offered Dean a wink. “Thanks for manning the bar, by the way. Was it just like old times?”

“Yeah, except you weren’t saying weird shit the whole time and pointing out all my messes.”

“How many messes?” I eyed the place from one side to the other.

Finally, he laughed. With my elbows on the counter, I smiled as I brought the glass up to clink it against his. Amir wandered over and took the last one before he moved to the other side of Dean and held his hand out to Oli.

“We finally get to meet in person. I’m Amir.”

Oli’s grin was bright, downright childlike, as he shook his hand. “You have no idea how much I’ve heard about you. No idea.”

Amir’s eyes met mine. “Is that so?”

I shrugged, not really caring what he aired about me. My best friend had a better sense of discernment than most people, plus I wanted him to get to know Amir. Out of everyone in the world, I’d trust his opinion on the man. If he told me to break up with him, I’d know that it was the right decision. That didn’t mean I’d listen, but that was a me issue.

“So, when’s the first game?” Dean asked.

“Thursday,” I replied. “Home field.”

“Are you traveling for the others?”

“Nah, the team has their shit all planned out and I’d have to travel on my own, plus they’re moving around so much that it’d be pretty pointless.”

“That kinda sucks.”

“Yeah, but it’s fine.” I drained the whiskey, then spun the cup on the counter. “He’ll be away for a few, then home for a few, back and forth.”

Dean’s stare felt heavy, so I looked at him. “Do you need one of us here?” he asked.

“No, of course not.”

“It’s not a big deal.”

Settling my palm over the glass, I stopped its movement. “I’ve told you before that I’m not Oli. I don’t want you to take care of me.”

“And that was two goddamn years ago, Remi. This time, your face isn’t fucked up, but it very well could be.”

I clenched my jaw and tried to ignore the stares from the other two. Releasing the tension, I drummed my fingers on the counter once. “I don’t need a bodyguard. There’s literally nothing to worry about.”

“Right. That’s why you fled to Florida, because you’re not worried.”

“What are we talking about?” Amir asked. He crossed his arms over his chest, assessing.

“Ah, Remi hasn’t been forthcoming,” Dean said. “That makes a lot of sense.”

“Oh, by Thor’s thundering ass,” I exclaimed. “Let’s not make this some giant truth bomb as if I’ve been hiding shit.” Angling myself to look at Amir, I leaned my chin on my knuckles. “There’s a possibility Cole will show up here.”

He frowned. “Who’s Cole?”

“My ex.”

Something changed in his expression. It was a little bit dangerous and a little bit sexy. “Why would he do that?”

“Does a god need a reason to laugh at mortals?”

“Rem,” Oli said softly.