Page 69 of Love is a Game

The kitchen tilts before me, my thoughts tangling into a sickening whirlpool of“spiral tips”, “backflow”, “multiple births…”

Then Tuck is there, crossing the kitchen in a flash, his hand firm against my back.

“Pen, are you okay?”

Chapter 21

Tuck

“Monday afternoon—at a bar. I feel like I’m back in college.” I grab a seat, taking in Battalion’s firehouse-themed decor.

The repurposed station still wears its past proudly, with walls lined with firefighter memorabilia. Even a gleaming brass pole stands centrally, like a relic of action.

“Could’ve been any day of the week for me back in LA.” Brady shuffles his stool to a comfortable distance from the bar top.

“Thought you might’ve preferred hanging with Vivian and Finn today?” I query. “Seems you don’t get too much time away from the restaurant.”

He grins. “You mean you werehopingI’d prefer that. Nah, buddy, I’m free as a bird for a leisurely catch-up. Viv and Misha have plans. Finn’s got rowing after school.”

“Right,” I nod. “That’s probably where Pen is, then.”

“Didn’t know Pen was that into rowing,” he jokes.

I take a sip of beer. “About as much as she’s into the reproductive lives of pigs.”

Brady chuckles. “Dad has a way with words. Hope it doesn’t leave permanent trauma.”

“Are you kidding?” I prop my elbow on the bright red counter. “If it makes Pen reconsider using donor sperm to have a baby, it’s all good if you ask me.”

Brady groans. “Geezus, Tuck, shoving a catheter into a pig is hardly the same thing.”

I raise my eyebrows. “You’d be surprised. From what I read, it’s not entirely different. Plus, Pen gets queasy at the sight of needles. How’s she supposed to handle being medically fertilized? And why should she resort to that anyway? Why tie up resources for people who really have no other options?”

“Because she wants a kid. On her own.” Brady cocks his head. “Anyway, let’s table that for now. I need background. The full story. Why exactly are you so against this? What’s the real deal with you and Pen?”

I take a slow pull of beer.

Brady taps the polished countertop impatiently. “C’mon, Tuck. Admit it—you’re dying to let this out. Keeping secrets from your best buddies? That’s against the code. Bad for the soul. Could even give you ulcers. Also, don’t forget you gave me your word.”

He pauses, eyes narrowing. “Unless, of course, you treated her like shit. Then this could turn out…different.”

“Don’t get your testosterone in a tizz.” I sniff. “I’ve done nothing wrong.”

Brady spreads his hands. “Then let me have it. Because it’s not like I haven’t suspected there was more between you two. So…just how far back are we talking?”

He leans forward. “I’m guessing thatRisky Businessparty. I distinctly remember it was right after you and I got new tattoos. Yours left a stain on your shirt—that mysteriously ended up onPen’swhite shirt by the end of the night.”

I shake my head.

“Before or after?” Brady presses.

“Before.”

His brows shoot up. “Oh—after our housewarming at the apartment? When Pen said she got lost on the way to the bathroom and somehow ended up crashing in your room?”

I wind my finger backward.

Brady squints. “Shit. You mean…?” He drags a hand through his hair, leaving it even messier. “High school?”

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