Page 45 of Cohesion

“You’re pretty cocky for someone who completely misunderstands the concept of poker,” Peyton said.

“It’s to win and eat Smarties, obviously.”

“Obviously,” Peyton drawled. “Well, what have you got?”

“Two pair,” Will said happily, laying his cards down in an arc. They were sevens. Not a terribly bad hand.

“Nice. But not nice enough,” Peyton said. His hand contained three twos.

“See, I don’t understand that,” Will said, eyeing Peyton’s hand sceptically. “Seven is bigger than two. Two times seven is fourteen. Three times two is six. I should win.”

“It’s not about the total value of the cards added up,” Peyton said. He scooped a bunch of the Smarties into the chip bowl and pushed them back to Will. “Don’t put any of those on your pizza.”

“I’m offended that you think I would. But now I’m going to.”

“Of course you are.”

Jericho returned with five boxes of pizza, two garlic breads, and a Coke. He expertly carried them and placed them on the table without incident.

“Impressive.”

“I’m all kinds of impressive.”

“I’ll get some plates and napkins,” Quinn said as Jericho spread everything out on the table.

Peyton poured everyone another drink of Scotch, using the new bottle of Coke, and gave Sebastian a considering look as he sat back down beside him.

It made him want to fidget. Sebastian didn’t fidget. The ex-spec ops soldier saw inside him in a way that he wasn’t entirely comfortable with. It was nice to think that someone could see underneath the layers and still choose to stay, but it was also a vulnerability that Sebastian had tried to avoid for a long time.

“Let’s play again,” Peyton said, once they were all settled with the pizza boxes spread out across the table, half of them empty after filling up their plates. “A little differently this time.”

Jericho sat on the other side of Peyton, flanking him, their knees pressed against each other. Peyton leaned back, giving Sebastian a clear view of them both.

Sebastian’s stomach flipped. “How different?”

“Strip poker, with a twist.”

“The stripping part’s not enough of a twist for you?” Sebastian asked dryly.

“I’ve seen you without your clothes on,” Peyton said.

“I guess the mystery portion of this relationship is already over,” Sebastian said with mock mourning. “Then what’s the twist?” He slouched down, spreading his knees. Good thing there was a light breeze because it was getting a bit hot out here.

“Loser forfeits an item of clothing and a truth.”

“A truth?”

“Is this like an adult version of truth or dare?” Jericho asked, raising an eyebrow.

“In a manner of speaking. You take off a piece of clothing, and we ask you a question.”

“Who gets to ask the question?” Sebastian asked.

“The winner, obviously.”

As if Sebastian’s competitive nature would allow him to say no. And if it got them all out of their clothes? Even better. “All right,” he said. “You’re on.”

Will bit off the end of his slice of pizza and squinted. “Do I have to bet my pizza?”

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