Page 58 of Game On

“I don’t understand.” Jamie’s footsteps were soft on the hardwood behind him. “Isn’t he your best friend?”

“Since we were kids.”

“And you haven’t told him because...”

Dorian shrugged, keeping his back to Jamie. “Because this is my baby. I first thought this up in university. It’s hard telling people about it.” Especially people who mattered.

“Dorian.”

Dorian felt more than saw Jamie step closer.

“Does anyone know about this?”

“Sure.” He shrugged. “All the vendors and makers, obviously. My lawyer. My designer. She did my logo and the artwork for inside the box. See?” He grabbed his assembled box and flipped up the lid.

Jamie frowned slowly, his expression taking on one of concern. “If Charlie doesn’t know... does Coach Shore?”

“It’s still so weird hearing him called Coach Shore.”

Jamie huffed. “That’s a no then.”

“It’s not a no, it’s...”

Eyebrow raised, Jamie waited.

“Okay, it’s a no.”

“Why wouldn’t you tell them? You told me.”

“Yeah, but you didn’t matter,” Dorian blurted. Cursing, he scrubbed a hand over his forehead. “Sorry, that sounded terrible, but?—”

“No, I get it,” Jamie said, and he didn’t appear upset, which unravelled the knot in Dorian’s stomach somewhat. “Telling people who matter to you about something so important is a risk. Telling random strangers, not so much. And that’s what I was when you first told me about Fir & Pine. A random stranger.”

“Yes.” Shoulders sagging, Dorian sat on the end of his desk. “Exactly.”

Jamie sat next to him, their bodies touching from shoulders to thighs. Dorian sucked in a sharp breath at the contact.

“I think you should tell them,” Jamie said quietly. “Charlie especially. If you’re as close as you say, won’t he be hurt that you’ve been working on this for so long but haven’t told him?”

In the back of Dorian’s mind, he’d feared exactly that, yes. His office was a mess of product samples and other subscription box stuff, but Dorian kept the door closed when Charlie was over. Hell, when anyone was over.

“Besides, he might be able to fill your gap in the fall box.”

Dorian peered at his board. “Charlie doesn’t really do premade mixes though.”

“Doesn’t mean he can’t,” Jamie said. “Or that he wouldn’t try for you.” He offered the cracker bag. “Want some more?”

“Sure. Why not? They’re not very good though.”

“I know,” Jamie said cheerfully.

“Then why are you eating them?”

“I’ve got four bags to eat. Might as well get started on one.”

“Why do you have four of them?”

“Archie’s fault. He bargained them for information I needed.”

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