My eyes roll as I flip him off, but Chris laughs, shaking his head. “No, not at all. She actually seems to think you’re the best gamer around.” He grins, his eyes sparkling with mischief as he meets my gaze. “I’ve got to say, I can’t wait to prove her wrong.”
Aiden laughs, giving Chris a friendly tap on the shoulder before turning back to me. “I like him.”
“Yeah,” I reply, my gaze lingering on Chris as a soft smile plays on my lips. “I do too.”
“Come on,” Aiden says, flashing a grin as he grabs a couple of sodas from the ice bucket. “We’re all hanging out over there. Grayson has his tongue halfway down Rosie’s throat, but I’m sure he’ll come up for air long enough to say hi.”
“I doubt that,” I mutter to Chris with a smirk. “That guy only cares about two things: Cars and Rosie.”
Chris smiles as we join the others, but when we arrive, it’s clear that Aiden wasn’t exaggerating. Grayson and Rosie are making out, completely absorbed in each other, oblivious to the world around them.
“I think I’m gonna barf,” I tease, pretending to gag.
“Grayson, come up for air, brother, please,” Aiden says, plopping down on the couch beside his girlfriend, Leila.
Grayson pulls away from Rosie, groaning as he flips Aiden off. “I’ll be sure to remind you of that when you sneak Leila in at night,” he says, running his hand through his hair.
Aiden arches a brow. “I do no such thing.”
Grayson lets out a scoff, shaking his head. “Who are you trying to kid?”
He grins, lifting his shoulder in a shrug as he hands her the soda. “We’ve got company,” he says, nodding towards Chris and me. “I’m trying to behave.”
“You’ve never behaved a day in your life,” Leila says.
He shrugs, swinging an arm around her shoulder. “You love me anyway.”
I nudge Chris on the arm. “Careful, Chris. They’re about ten seconds away from fucking.”
Aiden chuckles against Leila’s lips, and Grayson glances at us, his gaze lingering on Chris for a moment before turning back to me with a subtle nod. “Who’s this?” Grayson asks me, his tone teasing. “Your new toy for the night?”
I freeze, feeling a flush creep up my neck as I glance back at Chris, whose cheeks are turning redder by the second.
“Dude,” Aiden groans, smacking Grayson on the back of his head.
“Ow,” Grayson says, rubbing his head. “What was that for, asshole?”
“That’s Gabi’s best friend,” Aiden explains, shooting Grayson a pointed look.
“Wait. What?” Madi twists her head, her gaze bouncing between me and Chris. She frowns, wiggling her fingers between us. “He’s your what?”
“Are you jealous, Madi?” I tease, fluttering my eyelashes playfully. “Are you two going to fight for me?”
Madi smiles, shaking her head. “Do you want me to fight for you?”
“I mean…” I let out a scoff. “It would be nice to feel like I’m loved now and again,” I say with a shrug.
“I’m not treating you like a chew toy,” Chris says, arching a brow with a hint of amusement.
Madi sighs, rolling her eyes. “Fine. I guess I’ll share.”
I grin. “That’s fine by me.”
“How come you never told me about your secret best friend?” Madi asks me, her tone curious. “You talk abouteverything.”
“I guess I’ve replaced you,” Aiden interjects with a grin, crossing his feet on the table in front of him. “I was theonlyone who knew.” He shoots Madi a playful wink, but Leila clears her throat pointedly. “Okay, fine, Leila knew too. I told her.”
“Of course you did,” Grayson says with a scoff. “There isn’t a single thing you don’t tell her.”
