Page 117 of The Stud

I begrudgingly nod.

“Very well then. Let’s get this skills test started, aye.” A loving stroke from his thumb is delivered. “I need to destroy your father to win his respect.”

“Verdadero,” Dad teasingly confirms. “One hundred percent.”

“Silver dollar eating contest coming up first it seems,” I jovially insist and scoot my way over to the burner to begin cooking them. “Get ready to fight for my love.”

“I didn’t need the extra motivation,” Tanner lightly chuckles, “however, I will most certainly use it.”

Surprise rips through my stare prompting me to focus on the cooking task at hand.

Okay.

So, we didn’t just say we loved each other for the first time.

But like…we didn’tnotnot say it.

Right?

Chapter 18

Tanner

I absentmindedly rotate the Roman Army Officer Centurion on horseback that Father gave me at Christmas while grumbling to him over speakerphone, “How the hell is it I can tell you what female gladiators were called –gladiatrices– as well as when they were theatrically banned – around 200 AD – yet cannot come up withonewordthat means excessively arrogant?”

Father lightly laughs at my expense. “The irony is not lost upon thee, yes?”

“Must you mock me in Old English while this bloody crossword mocks me in modern?”

“Is that our son?” Dad cheerfully investigates, approaching the conversation I imagine.

“It is.”

“Tanskies,” he jovially chimes, “you ready for Seattle tonight?”

“I am ready to have an obscure word for excessively arrogant.”

There’s a short pause prior to him to asking, “Does your name happen to fit?”

“Bloodycomedians the lot of you,” is mumbled in between pen taps.

“Your dad comes by it honestly,” Father lovingly insists. “I have only learned the metaphorical ropes, recently.”

“Credit for that shit goes to the hunky blue-eyed director he’s been playing technical advisor to.” There’s a pause in which I picture Dad tossing Father a mischievous grin. “And that better be all you’re playing, Trent.”

“Oh, come off it, Carson,” Father chuckles once more. “We both know I am far too old for that lad to fancy.”

“And we both there are plenty of dudes his age that would love to have you on their jock.”

“You know whatIwould bloody love?” I interject between knackered breaths. “An answer to this bloody crossword nightmare.”

Louder laughs spring free before Father investigates, “Starts with?”

“No idea,” is unhappily huffed. “The first letter does not cross anything.”

“How many letters total?”

“Eight.”

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