Page 47 of A Game-Changing Christmas

He was the first one to move then behind him, Raphael, Kyle, Xavier, Hunter, and DeAndre shifted in sync until Lance’s footing halted at the door.

On the other side of the entrance, Jonathon had also paused his advancement as he and Lance came face to face.

In a dark navy wool coat with the collar flipped up to hide the long stalk of his neck, Jonathon eyed the men at the door then spoke directly to Lance.

“I no longer want to fight,” he said. Everyone was quiet as the two studied each other for a long drawn out, intense second. “If the offer still stands,” Jonathon raised his hand for a shake, and Lance’s gaze dropped to it.

A smirk washed across Lance’s lips then with welcomed gratitude, he accepted Jonathon’s proffered hand in a manly shake as they nodded in agreement.

“Shall we go back inside and get this thing squared away? You should be somewhere getting ready for a bachelor party I would think,” Jonathon added.

Lance glanced over his shoulder and caught his brethren nodding with conspiratorial winks.

His smile filled his face. “Let’s do it,” Lance said, patting Jonathon on the back and accepting him in a friendly embrace. The relief that flooded them both surprised them, and they held on to each other a second longer before heading back into the room where together each of them signed a contract that would seal them in a three-way partnership for the next five years.

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