Page 57 of Save the Game

“Max,” Carter says, from where he’s standing framed in the doorway, watching us walk up. He gives me the closest approximation to a smile I’ve ever seen from him, and I return it two-fold. It takes seeing him in person, tattooed arms folded across his chest, blond hair pulled back in a bun, and a scowl on his face for me to realize just how much I’ve missed him.

“Hey, Carter.” I reach a hand blindly behind me and feel Luke’s fingers slide immediately between mine. Carter steps aside to let us pass, and I get my first whiff of the interior of the house; my stomach growls loudly. Carter’s lips twitch.

“Come on back to the kitchen. I ordered Mexican, hope that’s okay. Who are you?” This last part is aimed at Luke, who he’s surveying with barely concealed mistrust. His eyes track down to our linked hands and back up to Luke’s face, appraisingly.

“This is Luke Kelly, my boyfriend,” I tell him, and Luke holds his hand out to shake Carter’s. I don’t miss the way he’s straightened his spine and squared his shoulders, hand tightening on mine as though he suspects Carter might try to physically separate us. They’re staring at each other like two junkyard dogs, about to fight over a piece of meat.

“Max!” I look over as Zeke walks out of the kitchen, beaming at me. He eyes the tableau in front of him, eyes lighting up with understanding and delight. “Carter, be nice,” he says, and I chuckle.

“Hey, Zeke. I was just introducing Luke, my boyfriend.”

“Thanks for inviting me,” Luke says, and I half expect Carter to tell him that he didn’t. We move toward the kitchen, Carter slinging an arm around Zeke’s thin shoulders and pulling him into his side.

“I hope you guys are hungry, Carter over-ordered as usual,” Zeke tells us.

“Max’ll eat,” Luke answers, smirking at me and clearly thinking about the ungodly noises my stomach was making on the drive over. “Did you guys go to the game?”

“Yeah,” Carter grunts, but doesn’t elaborate further. I can’t help but smile; Christ, I’ve missed this cranky fucker.

“It was a great game,” Zeke slides in, easily picking up the conversation from where Carter dropped it on the floor. “I don’t make it to as many home games as I did last year when Carter was playing, but I still watch the livestream so that I can see you and Vasel play.”

“Where is Vas, anyway?” I ask, letting go of Luke’s hand and sitting down at the island. Across from me, Carter is leaned back against the counter, arms crossed.

“I am here,” Vas says. I turn in my seat, watching as he walks into the kitchen and lays a friendly hand on my shoulder. He’s got his dress pants and shirt flung over a shoulder. “I was changing. This is not comfortable.”

He pats the clothes he changed out of and reaches out a hand to Luke, who introduces himself. Vas’ eyes travel between us, and he looks pleased.

“I am happy to meet you,” he says to Luke. “So is Carter, although he will not say so.”

“Fuck off, Vas,” Carter puts in.

Zeke laughs under his breath, passing around plates. Piling on as much food as I can fit, I bend over my plate and apply myself to eating. Vas and Zeke, whose manners exceed their hunger, eat slowly, while the rest of us eat as though we haven’t seen food in days. I catch Luke watching me and give him a quizzical look. He smiles softly.

“Nothing. Just glad you’re eating, that’s all,” he says quietly, trying not to be overheard in the crowded kitchen.

Carter gestures between the two of us with his fork. With him standing and us sitting, he looms over Luke. “So, when did this start?”

“Uhm,” I glance at Luke, “a few months ago.”

“Mm.” Carter scowls, and Luke sits up straighter, narrowing his eyes.

“Do we know each other?” He asks, clearly trying to figure out where the animosity is coming from.

“No. But I know of you,” Carter replies, in a tone of voice that suggests which he thinks is worse. Beside him, Zeke sighs. Vas looks confused.

“If you have something to say, say it,” Luke says through clenched teeth. Carter looks like he’d love nothing more than to oblige. I open my mouth to try and salvage the conversation before it gets out of hand, but Carter continues before I have the chance.

“Be careful,” Carter warns in a low voice, “with how you treat my friend.”

Luke stands up, sending his barstool toppling over backward. Zeke’s eyes widen and he reaches out to put a quelling hand on Carter’s arm.

“Carter,” I start, “I don’t think?—."

“What is going on?” Vasel asks, eyes jumping between all of us and looking lost.

“Luke here likes to fuck and run,” Carter answers casually, putting a spoonful of rice into his mouth and chewing slowly. His eyes slide to me before falling back onto Luke and hardening. I’m grateful for the island between them.

“You don’t fucking know me,” Luke says, and Carter’s eyebrows rise.

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