Common Goal (Game Changers #4)- Rachel Reid Page 0,36

“I don’t know. Date, I guess. Trading, um—that sounds so...transactional.”

“It is, I suppose. But it also kinda rules.”

“I don’t think I could do that. I’ve never been one for hookups. I like to know the person first.”

“That’s cool. You’re not alone there. I’m sure we could find you a nice man to have dinner with.”

“We?”

“Yeah. Sure. I want to help you.” This was a terrible idea, but Kyle was going all in. “We should go out together. See what your type is, and then take it from there.”

“Um.”

“It doesn’t have to be, like, a club. It could be a bar like the Kingfisher—but not the Kingfisher, please god—and we’ll get a drink and have a little look around.”

He watched Eric’s face carefully. Eric didn’t look repulsed by this idea, so that was a win. “When you say take it from there...”

Kyle held up his hands. “No pressure to do anything. I’m just suggesting a super casual outing where we do some low-key ogling. It’s an easy, safe first step.”

Eric seemed to consider this. “Okay.”

“Awesome!” Kyle was getting excited about this now. “This is great for me too, because I need to get myself out there.”

“So, when do you want to do this?”

Kyle drummed his fingers against his lips. “I’m working tomorrow night. I could do Sunday...”

“I’ve got a game on Sunday. I’m free Monday.”

“I’m working that night. Tuesday?”

“I’m in Boston on Tuesday. Then Toronto.”

Damn. This was not working out.

“Well,” Eric said slowly, “what about tonight?”

“Really?”

“Sure. No time like the present, right?”

“I know the perfect place. There’s a great bar called Fortune that is totally chill, but it’s busy on Fridays, so we’ll have lots to look at. I know the bar manager there and he’s a sweetheart. He’ll take care of us.”

“Okay.” Eric chewed his lip. “What should I wear?”

Kyle clapped his hands together. “I love you in a dress shirt, but you looked hot as hell last night in a T-shirt and jeans.”

Eric ducked his head adorably. “Hot as hell?”

“Yes. You should go that route. Dress down, look like you’re not trying too hard because you don’t have to. You’ll have your pick of the men.”

“I thought we were just going to look.”

“We are. I’m just kidding. Why don’t you come by my place? I live a couple blocks away from Fortune. Here, give me your phone.”

Eric retrieved his phone from where it had been charging on the kitchen counter and handed it to Kyle. Kyle entered his contact info, including his address, texted himself, then handed the phone back to Eric.

“I should get going,” Kyle said. “I have a pile of reading to do for school.”

“Right. Okay.”

Kyle went to the guest room and quickly changed back into his clothes from last night. “I’ll miss you most of all, perfect bed,” he said as he slipped out of the room.

Eric walked him to the front door, and they shared an oddly awkward moment where Kyle felt the urge to kiss him goodbye. He settled for a quick hug, which seemed normal enough. Kyle hugged everyone.

“I’ll see you tonight,” he said, wrapping his arms around Eric’s back.

“Tonight,” Eric agreed, encircling Kyle with his muscular arms. He smelled wonderful—a spicy, manly shampoo, maybe—and Kyle just barely stopped himself from nuzzling his neck. Then he felt the soft brush of Eric sighing against his ear, and Kyle suddenly found it very hard to let go.

The hug lasted a moment too long to be considered quick and friendly, but Kyle tried to pretend it hadn’t. Eric looked like he was doing the same as he shoved one hand into his sweatpants pocket and held up the other hand to wave awkwardly. Kyle nodded at him, stepping backward until he hit the door. He turned quickly, opened the door, and practically jumped down the steps to safety.

Chapter Ten

Knowing that Kyle was a bartender and part-time student living in Manhattan, Eric assumed his apartment would be small and rundown. When he stepped over the threshold, though, he was shocked to see a bright, spacious living room that was connected to a modern, well-equipped kitchen. The entire apartment had clearly been recently built; everything from the appliances to the floors looked new.

“Nice place,” Eric commented as he drifted toward the windows. He glanced down at 19th Street, four stories below.

“Thanks. Just give me a sec.” Kyle disappeared into what Eric presumed was his bedroom, so Eric poked around the living room a bit. He was immediately drawn to a shelf full of books on a