Page 33 of A Hard Fit

“That’s my boy!” Finn cried, proud of his friend. He slapped Luka on the back.

“Well done, Luka.” Thomas nodded. “You were bound to sink one eventually.”

Luka gasped. “How dare you, sir? Just for that, we’re going to destroy you!”

“Starting when?” The corner of Thomas’ mouth twitched.

Luka’s cheeks were pink. “Just you wait!”

Too fucking cute,Finn thought, brain fuzzier than the green table felt. He sank another ball and an easy shot was waiting for Luka that he managed not to mess up.

“Scared yet?” Luka asked the other two as Finn lined up his next shot.

Rory perched on a stool in the corner of Finn’s eye, pant cuff sliding up, revealing an exquisite ankle. “Fuck!” Finn swore as the cue ball followed the other into a pocket.

Rory grinned. “Nope. Good try, though, Finny.”

His stomach fucking packed a bag and began hiking up his esophagus at the nickname. “It’s still early. I’m not worried,” he choked out. Finn pushed his curls off his forehead and reclined against the table, willing his heart to calm down.

“Well, I’m going to need you to move,” Rory said, pointing at a shot.

“What if I don’t want to move?” Finn asked, cranking a wretchedly bold eyebrow at Rory.

“I could make you move.” Rory took a step closer, eyes glimmering with amusement.

Make me,Finn wanted to say, picturing Rory grabbing him, hands soft and yet firm… But his courage faded. He cleared his throat and stepped aside. “Still going to beat you,” he mumbled.

Rory slammed another ball home. “We’ll see.”

Rory and Thomas won again. They high-fived each other.

“Good game.” Rory smiled at Finn, offering a hand.

Finn took it. Their eyes met. His heart got into a kick line with the rest of his internal organs. Rory’s grip was as firm as he imagined it, but with impossibly smooth skin. Their hand was warm, nail beds pink and shining. Rory’s hand flexed as they leaned a little closer, a smile soft on their lips.

Finn took a deep breath, inhaling Rory’s scent. “Good game,” he said, with a nearly imperceptible shake to his voice.

He didn’t want the shake to end but he forced himself to let go when Rory stepped back.

Thomas cleared his throat. “Thanks, everyone. I think I’ll be heading home.”

Luka nodded. “Have a good weekend.”

“You too.” Thomas headed to the bar to settle his tab before making his way out into the night. Luka stared after him wistfully.

“Wanna play again?” Finn asked Luka.

“Nah, I think I’ll head home, too. You two enjoy your weekend.”

Rory watched him go, head tilted. “Is it just me, or are they totally into each other?”

Finn snorted. “Oh, absolutely. I’m wondering how much time those two idiots will waste pining after each other.”

“Yeah,” Rory said with a chuckle. “Me too.”

Chapter Eight

Godstrike

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