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“And equipment that’s more likely to electrocute you than turn on,” Bradley agreed with a grin. “Honestly, getting a new principal was probably the best thing that could have happened.”

Before he could elaborate further, Thomas walked in from the kitchen, a large platter in his hands and soft smile on his face. “Food’s on. Try not to choke.”

“I never choke,” Aiden said, reaching for the food before the platter was even on the table.

“That’s not what I heard,” Bradley quipped. Thomas snorted as Aiden looked over at him aghast. “What? You’re not some choir boy, so don’t even try it.”

Aiden rolled his eyes, but he smiled as he raised the sandwich to his lips. He groaned at the tangy flavor of vinegar and the bite of banana peppers. “Thomas, whenever you get tired of this asshole, you’re more than welcome to marry me.”

“Fuck off,” Bradley said, jostling his shoulder with a good-natured grin. “He’s mine, right, pookie bear?”

“Please never call me that again,” Thomas replied before turning to the TV. Aiden huffed out a laugh when he saw Thomas’s lips curl up in a satisfied smile. He looked over at Bradley and shook his head when he saw Bradley staring at Thomas, his heart clear in his gaze.

“You two are so cute and I hate you.”

“Jealousy isn’t a cute look,” Bradley said, laughing and angling away when Aiden swiped at him with his free hand.

They settled in then, conversation ebbing and flowing around the game. Aiden enjoyed it as always, the shouts and groans wrapping around him comfortably as the game sailed into halftime.

“So,” Thomas started as the commercials took over the screen, “how’s it going living with Janae?”

Aiden shrugged. “It’s going pretty well, honestly. The house is kind of its own dream project to work on. Most of the big stuff was done already, so I get to swoop in and fix a few things here and there and rake in all the praise.”

“Oh, you don’t have a praise kink at all,” Bradley joked.

“Glass houses, asshole,” Aiden said, jabbing a finger at him until he laughed and raised his hands in surrender. “Anyway, Janae chose this nice purple for the bathroom, and it was actually one of the colors I picked out, so clearly she has good taste.”

Thomas hummed. “And is that all?”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing,” Thomas replied as he reached for his drink. “Just curious how Janae is and if there’s anything . . . extra going on. That’s all.”

Aiden narrowed his eyes, not believing Thomas’s innocent act for a second. “Alright, what have you heard?” Thomas and Bradley exchanged a look that had Aiden narrowing his eyes.

“Oh, you know . . . town stuff.”

“Town stuff like what?”

Bradley spoke up. “Town stuff like wondering if this is going to be a permanent type of living situation. You know, one with matrimony involved.”

Aiden had been taking a sip of his beer, but when he heard the word matrimony, he choked until he started coughing. When he was doubled up, trying not to suck more liquid down his windpipe, he could have sworn he heard a snicker. He looked up, eyes narrowed at Bradley’s too innocent expression.

“I hate you.”

“Nah, you just think you do because you’re hard up for our artist-in-residence,” he said, whacking Aiden on the back. “So, is there any truth in the whispers?”

Aiden glared at him before glancing over at Thomas’s interested expression. Both of them were worse than the Williams sisters when it came to gossip, but they were also his closest friends outside of Vini, and maybe talking to someone would help him decide on what to do. Keeping this shit inside hadn’t been doing him any favors.

“Fine,” he said finally. “I like her.”

“Well, that much was obvious,” Bradley said. “But are you going to do anything about it or what?”

“Well, maybe I already have,” Aiden belted out, not realizing until the words were out there that he’d fallen for Bradley’s trap. When he saw his smile, he leaned back. “Oh, fuck.”

Bradley’s grin was wide. “I see then. So, you have made a move on her.”

Aiden looked away before answering. “You make it sound so lewd. We’ve just kissed. That’s all.”