Page 201 of The Head Game

“So, get this,” Felix said, still laughing as he turned back to the table. “Grandma Ji-Min almost got thrown out of the arena for cussing out a ref at the game tonight.”

“That woman.” Jonah dropped his head, slumping until his forehead rested on the table. “She’s driving me nuts.”

Felix laughed, patting Jonah’s back affectionately.

Jonah straightened. “Every day she goes on and on about how she wants to see me settle down before she dies. You need to get married, Jo-nah. Let me set you up with a nice Korean boy, Jo-nah. I don’t want a nice Korean boy. I just want her to stop bugging me about my personal life!”

Felix snorted. “I still think it’s sweet she’s so supportive of you being gay.”

Jonah glared.

“Sweet my ass. She’s trying to manipulate me. She goes on and on about how she needs to see me married and happy before she can die in peace. She’s not getting any younger. And she had that health thing last year … and I start to feel guilty and think maybe I should just start dating someone to make her happy and then the next night she’s screaming at refs like she’s going to live for another eighty years!” He threw up his hands. “You deal with her, Haler. I don’t know what to do with her anymore.”

Felix cackled. “I love that woman.”

“You would.” Jonah muttered something under his breath and the whole table dissolved into laughter. “Someday she’s going to show up with a list of eligible dates for you.”

Felix shrugged. “Well, the last breakup sent me to rehab, so maybe I should try something new. I might have better luck if I let Grandma Ji-Min run my dating life.”

That sent the table into another round of laughter, everyone relieved that Felix could joke about the situation.

“Hey, I wanna dance,” Charlie said when they finally composed themselves, sliding out of the booth and waggling his fingers. “C’mon. Dance with me, husband.”

Dustin grinned, took a final sip of his virgin mango mule, and stood. “Okay, kitten. I’m coming.”

“They’re disgusting,” Matty said as they walked away, though he sounded fond. “Adorable, but disgusting.”

“Agreed,” Nico said.

Matty scoffed. “Yeah, okay, like you and August are any better.”

Nico grinned. “You need me to find you a date, Matts? Cause there’s a killer blonde woman at the bar who has been eyeing you all night.”

Matty shook his head. “Nah, I’m good.”

“Well, there’s the bartender with biceps the size of watermelons too, if that’s what you’re in the mood for,” Nico teased. “I mean, you’ve gotta be going nuts, man. How long has it been since you hooked up, anyway?”

Matty frowned, shoulders hunching. “A while.”

Nico felt a flash of guilt. Matty was sensitive about this and Nico hadn’t meant to make him feel bad.

He let the topic drop and once everyone else was distracted, he slid a little closer to Matty.

“Hey, sorry,” he said quietly. “I didn’t mean to be a dick.”

“No, you’re good.” But the tension in Matty’s body softened and he let Nico lean against him. “Just feeling like the odd man out, you know? There’s Dustin and Charlie, you and August, and even Felix and Jonah have been extra close lately.”

“Yeah, but they’re not …” Nico glanced over to see them deep in discussion about something, Felix’s head of red-gold curls right up close to Jonah’s glossy black hair. “Okay, I see your point.”

“Yeah, I swear to God they were about to kiss the other day when I walked in on them in a training room,” Matty said. “I mean, I could be wrong but …”

“Felix is straight though, isn’t he?” Nico said as he studied them. “He’s sure never checked me out.”

“Oh yeah, because every not-straight guy is into you.” Matty laughed and shoved Nico, sending him listing into August. “You’re so full of yourself.”

August steadied him with an amused glance and Nico turned back to Matty.

“I’m just saying, I can usually tell,” Nico argued. “I mean, whatever. If he’s not into me, he’s not into me. But I’ve never gotten that vibe from him. We all know Jonah dates guys but Felix? I dunno, man. I’ve never seen that happen.”

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