Page 53 of Open To Negotiation

Oli, Jaxson, Noah, and even Asher piped up and added things to try and help me understand all the rules and players on their favorite team. I was lost about three minutes in, but they were clearly enjoying explaining it to me, so I ate some food and threw questions out once in a while to seem engaged.

The game started, stopping their explanation so they could focus. I pulled my legs up to my chest, leaning slightly to be closer to Theo as I watched the massive screen in front of us. Well actually, I watched the guys as they yelled at the TV, screamed at the referees and jumped up when their team scored.

Everyone but Theo who had moved his arm over my shoulder and was absently twirling my hair around his fingers, yelling more quietly than his friends. As the game went on I snuggled deeper into his side and gave in, leaning into him. Half time came and the men moved to beer and cracked open more snacks.

The thumb that Theo was using to circle my shoulder stopped and tapped me twice, pulling my attention to him, his eyes were already waiting for me.

“Are you free the third weekend in May?”

I shifted back so I could see him better. “That’s five weeks from now.”

“I know. All of us are going to a charity event for an organization we support.”

“And you need me there for marketing or something?” I shifted in my seat trying to sort out what he was asking me.

I knew it was stupid, but my mind was an exhausting place to be and despite the last twenty-four hours, I didn’t want to get my hopes up and think he wanted me there for something other than work.

Before I could continue to spiral, he sent me a dry look, clearly unimpressed with my question. “No, I want you to come as my guest.”

“Guest?”

“This is hurting me physically,” Noah muttered. It was then that I realized that everyone had gone quiet, clearly listening to us. Theo shot a glare to Noah before focusing back on me.

“Yes, I want you to attend it with us, we’re all going and I want you there.”

“Oh.” I bit my lip to try and hide my smile. Five weeks was a long time from now. Maybe he liked spending time with me as much as I was enjoying it with him, especially if he was planning ahead like that.

“Yeah, oh.” He leaned a little further back and ran a hand over his jaw, watching me closely. “So…”

“I think I can make myself available.” He rolled his eyes at me but did relax his shoulders, like he had been bracing for me to say no. Fair enough given my track record, I guess.

“Did you think your success would be higher if you talked in a riddle?” Oli leaned over, throwing a piece of popcorn in his mouth.

“I’m honestly impressed she said yes,” Will commented. Asher just shook his head and rolled his eyes.

“I’m just proud he worked up the nerve to do it at all,” Jaxon mused.

“I hate all of you,” Theo growled as he pulled me back into his side and I let out a laugh.

“It will be fun to have you there,” Noah said with a smile.

“What’s the charity supporting?” I asked.

Oli opened his mouth to answer but Theo cut him off. “We have a rule, on Saturdays and Sundays we don’t talk about work. We spend too much time together, if we didn’t have the rule we would never stop. So although it’s charity, it’s still work. Now that I know you can come, we can cover the rest later.”

“Smart rule, you guys do seem to hang out a lot.”

“Some might say too much,” Asher muttered in a low voice beside me.

“Come on, Ash!” Noah pointed at Asher. “Don’t be that way, you would be lonely without us.”

“I’ll have Shelly book it for you and send you all the details.” I nodded at Theo as the men started talking about sports again.

“How often are you together on Saturdays?” I asked as I leaned back into Theo deciding to let it go. I would overthink it when I was alone anyways, might as well save it for then.

“Every Saturday.” He pulled me closer and tucked me under his shoulder. He went back to twirling a piece of my hair around his finger.

“Wow. So every Friday you drink together at Pulse then drag your asses out of bed to get together on Saturday morning?”