Common Goal (Game Changers #4)- Rachel Reid Page 0,41

coming—?”

“Hi,” said a voice behind Eric’s shoulder. “I just wanted to tell you that your eyes are the most gorgeous color.”

He glanced up at the man who had easily said the words Eric had been thinking privately for days. It was, indeed, the cute accountant-type guy. Possibly cuter this close up.

“Well, thank you,” Kyle said playfully. “You came all this way just to tell me that?”

“That depends,” the man said with a questioning glance at Eric. “Are you available to hear more?”

Eric started to push his chair back. He would make an excuse, go to the bar or to the bathroom. Maybe go home. He should let Kyle have this.

Before he had a chance to make his exit, Kyle spoke. “We’re actually celebrating our anniversary tonight.” He reached across the table and took Eric’s hand. Eric’s mouth fell open. “Well, monthiversary, right, love?”

Kyle’s eyes were full of mischief. Eric’s must have shown his confusion, but he managed to say, “Right.”

“I figured.” The man sighed. “I had to try, though.”

“You’re cute,” Kyle said, still holding Eric’s hand. “What’s your name?”

“Alex.”

Kyle shot Eric a quick, victorious smile, then said, “I’m Kyle, and this is Eric. My boyfriend.”

Alex nodded. “Well, happy monthiversary.”

“Thank you,” Kyle said, “Alex.”

Eric fought to keep himself from rolling his eyes. When Alex left, Kyle released Eric’s hand and leaned back in his chair. He folded his arms over his chest, looking smug as hell.

“Fine,” Eric said. “You guessed his name. Congratulations.”

“I’m a genius.”

“You’re lucky.”

“I could have been,” Kyle said wistfully, gazing in the direction Alex had gone.

“Why did you tell him we were a couple?”

“Because I’m not going to abandon you tonight. I’m here to support you.”

“I could have gone home. It’s fine. I have a practice in the morning anyway.”

“Do you want to go home?”

No. Eric wanted to have this view of Kyle for as long as possible. “I can stay a bit longer.”

* * *

Kyle was having a great time.

Okay, yes, he wouldn’t have minded leaving with cute Alex, and, yes, it was weird that he had spontaneously lied about being Eric’s boyfriend, but still. He definitely wasn’t bored.

Eric had gone to the bar to get their second round, Kyle insisting that he wanted a soda and not another cocktail, which was the second lie he’d told that evening.

He really did want to help Eric. He was probably more invested in the idea of guiding Eric to his first sexual encounter with a man than he should be. He wanted to make sure Eric’s first time would be enjoyable. That it would be with someone patient and sweet and good. Someone who understood how important this was.

Normally Kyle wouldn’t think of this sort of thing as important. Hookups had been a way of life for him for so many years that he had a hard time thinking of sex as an event. Part of him wanted to gently push Eric into the arms of the first man who caught his eye, but he knew that wasn’t what Eric wanted.

Eric was looking for more. A date. A...boyfriend, Kyle supposed. Someone to share meals and conversations with. Someone to share his life with. As much as Kyle wanted to help him, he was extremely aware that he hadn’t been able to successfully find that for himself, let alone another person.

So maybe they both needed a little practice.

“It’s busy up there,” Eric said when he returned. He set two identical glasses of soda on the table and sat down. “I think the bartender was flirting with me.”

“We do that,” Kyle said. “But sometimes we mean it. Was he cute?”

Eric shrugged. “I’ve seen cuter.”

Oh, Eric. You are not helping. “Did you flirt back?”

“I honestly have no idea. I guess I tried. I have absolutely no game when it comes to that sort of thing.”

“I think you’re selling yourself short. But”—Kyle gave an exaggerated sigh—“I suppose I am here to coach you.”

Eric’s dark eyes twinkled. “What would you be doing right now, in this bar, if you weren’t here with your boyfriend?”

“Well, I’d probably be rounding third base with our friend Alex right now.”

Eric nearly spat out his drink. “Third base? How old are you?”

“Twenty-five.” Eric had been teasing, but Kyle realized he’d never told Eric how old he was before. The laughter left Eric’s eyes as soon as he heard the number.

“Oh.”

“Is that older or younger than you were expecting?”

“I guess it’s what I’d assumed. You look like you could be younger.” Eric cringed. “I mean...we have some young guys on