Page 33 of Dice & Dekes

I don’t know how to put things away. It feels too permanent. Too vulnerable.

Viktor doesn’t hesitate. He just makes space.

“Is this what took you so long this morning?” I call, the back of my neck prickling.

Viktor pokes his head through the doorway. “Yes. Why? Oh, you thought I was that vain. Got it. Nope.” He disappears back into the bathroom. “Oh, and I already started a load in the washing machine.”

This whole scenario is so surreal that I can’t stand it. “Thanks,” I croak, and turn back to the dresser. Either Viktor has been replaced by a pod person from Planet X, or…

Or…

He’s doing this on purpose. Making space for me. Maybe not just in the drawers. But in his life. His bed. His future?Ugh, no. Don’t go there.

I’m not entirely sure what the alternative is.

I’m still rearranging things when Viktor emerges from the bathroom. “I need to get ready and head over to the stadium. You should join us for the catered dinner. It starts around five.”

I check my phone. That gives me the better part of an hour to get ready. “Sure. Why not?”

Viktor gives me a thumbs-up on his way out.

I sit there, on the floor in the middle of Viktor’s bedroom, surrounded by all the stuff he just got me. I think back to one summer, stationed in Colorado, where all I had was a plastic drawer set and a shared closet the size of a coffin. Besides my family, I’ve never had someone just… give me space. Not like this. Not without asking for something in return.

I’m conflicted. On one hand, I know that he was being nice. On the other, I don’t like the sensation of having beenbought.

But Viktor wouldn’t do that. He’s not trying to manipulate you. He’s… taking care of you?

Holy shit. I drop the new pair of black skinny jeans I’m holding. Viktor’s not being snarky when he says that he’s giving me the wife experience. He’s serious.

Is this why our paperwork hasn’t gone through yet?

I get to my feet and collect a nice, but nottoonice, outfit from my new wardrobe. I take my time doing my hair and makeup so that by the time I’m happy with my appearance, it’s already time to leave.

Stadium parking is out of control during games, but I show up early enough that I have no trouble finding a space in the underground VIP. Instead of heading to the front, I make my way around to the familiar back entrance. The guard on duty gives me a confused look when I try to get in. I think she’s going to deny me until Dante’s face appears on the other side of the glass door. My stomach twists, just for a second—what if I’m not on the list anymore? Then he points to me and says something. The guard nods and opens the door to let me in.

“Thanks!” I say to Dante.

He sniffs and gives me a once-over. “You look… nice. Viktor said you might come by tonight.”

“Did he?” I try to play it cool, but I don’t know how much Dante knows about our current arrangement.

Dante’s expression tells me that my attempt at “casual” is a flop, but he gestures for me to follow him and leads me to the room where the team’s already digging into their fancy catered meal. Sofia’s the first one to spot me, and she waves to get my attention. I saunter over.

Viktor gets up to greet me, and then he pulls out the empty chair next to him, which he’s clearly been saving for me. “Glad you could make it.”

Across the table, Knight glowers. “I can’t believe you left in the middle of the night.”

Oh, he’s mad-mad. My twin rarely glares at me unless he’s worried. And that glare is practically screaming, “I would’ve driven across town with a baseball bat if I didn’t know you were with Viktor.”

I settle into the chair at Viktor’s side. “I left a note on your whiteboard.”

“Yeah, but it’s not like that’s the first place I checked!” Knight fumes. “You disappeared without even a text. What gives?”

I give him my sweetest smile and flutter my eyelashes. “You two were clearly, um… engaged, Daddy.”

Sofia blushes scarlet. At my elbow, Viktor chokes on his salmon.

“Oh.” Even Knight is embarrassed now. “I didn’t, uh. Are the walls really that thin?”

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