Page 14 of Playing with My Heart

“How did you meet?”

“Akio, Garrett, Jasper, and I all met during our freshman year of college. Despite our different backgrounds and interests, somehow, we all just clicked. We became best friends and from then on, we’ve been inseparable. Well, mostly.”

“Why mostly?” Parker asked and I could hear genuine interest in his voice.

I shrugged. “Eh, you know, life happens. They’ve all met people and fallen in love. Garrett lives in L.A. most of the time and he travels a lot, but he still has a place here in Chicago and he comes to visit as often as he can. The rest of us still get together every week for dinner. It helps us keep up with what’s going on in each other’s lives.”

My eyes flicked over to Parker, and I saw him smiling. “You guys sound close.”

“We are. These guys are my family, and that includes the men they love. They’re all like brothers to me. I’d do anything for them, and I know they feel the same about me.”

“Well, in that case, I definitely feel honored to get to meet them,” he said sincerely.

“You should. I don’t bring just anyone to our dinners.” I said it in a teasing manner, but it was the truth. I never brought anyone to meet my friends. The fact that I was bringing Parker was no doubt going to have the guys asking questions. Questions I didn’t have an answer to.

“Good to know I’m not just anyone,” he said, and I could hear the undercurrent of something more in his words—a burgeoning bond that was growing stronger with every shared confession and laugh.

I bit my tongue before I could say the words that threatened to spill from my lips. Words like, “Yeah, Parker, you’re definitely not just anyone.”

Stepping into the pub with Parker by my side, I was acutely aware of every movement he made. The way his hair caught the soft glow of the overhead lights, how his eyes seemed to hold secrets and stories that I was only just beginning to hear. It was a dangerous slope, being this close to someone who stirred something in me that I couldn’t—shouldn’t—entertain.

“Travis, you okay?” His voice cut through my thoughts, laced with genuine concern.

“Absolutely,” I lied smoothly, flashing him a grin that felt like it belonged to someone else. I knew I was crossing lines in my head that friends didn’t cross. I wanted things with Parker that I had no right to want. But there I was, watching him light up the room with his mere presence, feeling a sense of pride that I was about to introduce him to my inner circle.

“Let’s grab our drinks,” I suggested, leading the way to the bar. He followed, and as we maneuvered through the crowd, I felt the warmth of his body close to mine—a proximity that sent a thrill down my spine.

Handing him a beer, our fingers brushed, and it was like a damn live wire zapped between us. I jerked back slightly, my heart thumping erratically against my ribs. His eyes met mine, wide with that same shock. For a long moment, neither of us moved, the air charged with something unspoken.

“Thanks,” he said eventually, his voice steady but his hand trembling ever so slightly as he took the bottle from me.

“Anytime,” I mumbled, watching him take a sip of his drink.What the hell is happening to me?This wasn’t the Travis Brooks playbook; this was uncharted territory.

The familiar clatter of dishes and laughter surrounded us as we settled into the large rounded booth at O’Malley’s, the pub where my friends and I had made countless memories. The wooden table was worn from years of rowdy dinners and spilled pints, but it felt like home.

“Uh…Hey, Trav!” Jasper was sitting in the curve of the booth, nestled into Maks’s side. His voice did nothing to hide his curiosity.

“Hi, guys! This is my friend, Parker Reyes,” I said then gestured toward the two men whose eyes were currently darting back and forth between me and Parker like they were watching a tennis match. “Parker, this is Jasper and his boyfriend, Maks. And these two?—"

“Hi! I’m Akio and this is my husband, Morgan,” Akio said warmly from across the table before I could finish. Parker took turns shaking each of their hands.

“Parker Reyes. Oh! You’re the new PT Travis told us about,” Jasper exclaimed as he made the connection.

“Whatever he told you, it’s all lies,” Parker joked.

“Oh, so you’re not great with all the patients?” Maks quipped.

“And you aren’t God’s gift to softball?” Morgan teased.

My face flushed hot as Parker turned his head in my direction, a playful smirk on his face. “Is that so? Well, in that case, it’s all true. Every word.”

I nudged his shoulder with my own. “Don’t let it go to your head, Reyes,” I joked to cover my embarrassment.

“I wouldn’t dream of it. One of us needs to stay humble,” he teased back.

I smiled at him, but my smile wavered as I turned and saw my friends staring at us, curiosity and shock etched on their faces. I knew they were wondering what exactly was going on between the two of us. Well, get in line buddies, I’d like the answer to that too.

As the night unfolded, the conversation flowed easily. We talked shop, shared stories, and laughed until our sides ached. Parker fit right in, his laughter mingling with ours—a sound I realized I could get used to hearing.

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