Page 5 of Riley

“You guys wanna play?” Aaron asked the group of guys who weresittingall over the pool tables lazily enjoying their beers.

They were a small group of three, two of them some twenty-somethings who looked more ‘bro’ than man, with their hats on backward, their perfectly trim beards, and their flannels too tight fitting.

“Sure,” the one in the front said, setting down his beer. The only one without a hat who looked older than twenty-one, brushed his hand through his dark hair, pushing up off the table with ease. While his friends sported the same buffalo plaid flannel, their unphased sexy leader sported a black fitted tee shirt that showed off his rather toned arms. His striking blue eyes glitteredunderneath the low light of the bar, and I couldn’t help but think he washot.

The kind of hot you dream about because you know you’ll never have a chance of landing someonethatsexy.

“Eric, you’re on my team,” bro number one nipped at Mr. Blue Eyes.

“Name’s Aaron, this here is my brother, Riley, and that’s my future brother in law, Grayson, and his boyfriend, Henry.”

Mr. Blue Eyes smirked, grabbing his beer.

“Pleasure to meet you, boys,” he said with a grin. “I’m Eric, these here assholes are my associates, Jordan and Sticky.”

I furrowed my eyebrows. “What kind of a name is Sticky?” I asked in disgust. The man known asStickycame forward, laughing darkly.

“My name is actuallyStanley, handsome,but my subs call me Sticky,” he said with a gaze that was more predatory than anything I’d ever seen. It made me uncomfortable.

“Yeah, cause you don’t know how to keep your fucking hands to yourself,” Eric snapped, and Sticky scoffed.

“You ain’t never complained,” Sticky retorted.

Eric passed me a pool cue and some chalk. “Don’t mind him, he was dropped on his head as a small child. It’s the brain damage,” he said.

I took the polished stick from his hands, my fingers grazing his. “Noted,” I said, relishing in the warmth, the smoothness of his touch.

“You suckers ready to lose?” Jordan taunted.

Eric smiled wickedly.

“How about we make this a little more interesting?” my brother said, as Jordan, Sticky, and Eric took their places.

“How so?” Jordan asked, nodding at us.

“Loser buys the winner a round of drinks,” Aaron suggested.

Grayson squared his shoulders as he set the balls.

Eric smirked, his gaze roving over me.

“Famous last words, boys. Let’s play.”

CHAPTER 3

Eric

One game turnedinto two games, and because I’m a man of my word, I bought the new guys a round of drinks.

I had to admit, Aaron, Grayson, Henry, and Riley were all pretty good opponents, and it was nice to have a challenge for once.

Riley shifted his weight as he turned to me for a moment.

“So...” he started, and a part of me felt bad for the guy.

I could tell he wanted to talk, probably even flirt a little, but his Sunday School get up of a green polo and khakis and messy bronze hair was surprisingly not as much of a turnoff as it should have been.

Maybe I’m just all messed up because of earlier. Maybe I just need to fuck myself right again.

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