Page 32 of Challenge Me

“That’s because you draw it, and you make everything spectacular.”

“I’m just saying, it’s nice to look at, at least.”

“Speaking of nice to look at.” Trav turned his attention to Remi and held his hand out. Remi took it, and I could tell that his grip was firm. “We never officially met. I’m Trav.”

“Travis McKinney,” Remi said. “Star pitcher and poster-child for the Braves. Fastest throw on record was a ninety-seven. You have a massive online following after blowing up with your conversion camp story.” When Trav’s eyes widened, Remi smiled. “I did my homework. Seriously, I have hella respect for everything you stand for.”

“Thanks, man. That means a lot.”

Leaning close to Remi, I dropped my voice low. “Overkill, don’t you think?”

He tipped his head to whisper directly in my ear. “Subjective. I’d say it’s just right.”

Trav’s attention was on us, so I refrained from rolling my eyes.

“You’re Roman,” Remi went on. “An artist for the ages, according to Amir. Big dick, according to Trav.”

Roman choked out an awkward laugh and shot a scandalized look at his boyfriend.

“Let’s get a drink,” I suggested.

“I’ll grab it,” Remi offered. “Whiskey?”

“Sure.” I waited for him to leave, but instead, he leaned down. My eyes widened before his lips met mine. His hand went to the back of my head and held me to him for a long moment, then he was off. Turning to walk backward, he winked at me.

“He seems fun,” Roman said.

“Yeah, I guess.”

“Fighting already?” Trav teased.

“Things are fine, then they’re awkward, then infuriating. I don’t even know if it’s him or me.”

“Maybe you should be more fun.”

I laughed as we returned to the table. “Fun is my specialty.”

“How’d you connect before?” Roman asked.

I grimaced, which made them share a look. “I’m not going to do that,” I said to shut down what they clearly wanted to say. “The last thing I need is something complicated.”

“Did life feel like it made sense for the first time when it happened?”

I looked at Roman, and similarly to when I’d met him, there was a flicker of connection. It wasn’t romantic now, just a shared experience that could be felt.

“Sort of,” I admitted. “I wasn’t fighting it, but . . .”

My gaze drifted to where Remi was talking to the bartender. He appeared casual, like he was at home here. Again, I wondered what drove him, not only professionally but also day-to-day.

“It did feel easy. The nerves were there, then it all just happened. I don’t think it was him,” I added. “More like I finally felt this catharsis that I had never felt, you know?”

“Yeah, I know.”

I offered him a lighthearted smile. “One day, I’ll get something like you two have. For now, let’s have some fun.”

Remi came back and set a drink in front of me, and I clinked glasses with each of the guys. Within minutes, the weight of the past week melted away, and I was just a man readying myself for a long season with this group of both competitors and friends.

Chapter 10