Page 44 of Rough Heat

If this worked, it would be because they had all chosen each other. It was scary as fuck, and he’d freaked out to his sister about it the day before, but it was also just plain exciting.

Josh opened the door, grinning back at them. “You guys ready to get your asses absolutely handed to you?”

Damon shot Leo a look. “At least now he actually has an ass to bet.”

Leo mock-leered at Josh. “Hell yeah, he does.”

“Urgh.” Josh rolled his eyes, face red. “You guys are the worst.”

Damon grinned. “You love it.”

Josh faked a karate chop at both their necks, making them laugh, and Leo felt a swell of happiness so large it was painful.

This was it. He couldn’t put it into words, but what he felt right then—that sense of home, of belonging and acceptance—was what he had fallen for in the first place.

They got their shoes, Josh smack-talking the whole way through and then getting a gutter ball on his first throw.

Damon put his face in his hands, shoulders shaking, and Leo had to lean on him as he started laughing too.

Josh stomped to get his next ball. “Both of you shut the hell up.”

“We haven’t said anything.” Leo giggled.

“I said shut up!”

Leo mimed zipping his lips and throwing the key away.

Josh did better on his second try but was put to shame when Damon bowled a spare, getting all his pins down with his two throws.

Damon didn’t boast, but the pointed look on his face made Josh kick at him, making Damon stumble and laugh.

“Ow. Sabotage,” he cried. “Leo, help.”

Leo walked towards the lanes backwards, hands up. “Sorry, it’s my turn.”

Damon sighed. “Betrayal from all sides.”

The game was fun enough that Leo forgot to be nervous, especially enjoying when they would both razz him together.

Josh whistled loudly as Leo got a strike and strutted back to the chairs. “Oh, look at this guy, professional bowler over here.”

Damon shook his head. “Conned us into playing him and now he’s showing off.”

Josh pushed the tip of his tongue out between his teeth. “You don’t gotta seduce us, bud, we’re yours.”

Leo stumbled slightly at that, stomach clenching when the smile on Josh’s face dropped into worry. Damon’s gaze darted between them, but Leo cut him off before he could say anything.

“I’m the luckiest guy in Brooklyn, then,” he said sincerely, even if it was wrapped up in a joking voice.

Josh grinned at him tentatively, looking relieved. “I think that’s us, actually.”

Purely on impulse, Leo bent down and planted a kiss on Josh’s forehead. “Your turn.”

Josh gaped up at him for a moment before standing up, Leo sitting in his seat, eyes meeting Damon’s. The moment turned electric in a second, intimate, memories swimming between them.

Damon smiled at him. “You good?”

“Yeah. Yeah, I’m good.”

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