Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 8

gauzy white curtains over the large windows. Even the glass-topped tables had remained damage free. Michael liberally decorated the top with coasters so there were no excuses. The only addition since his parents had died was the rickety folding table Devin and Sammy used to play chess, partly for the additional height the coffee table didn't give them, partly so they could look out the window into the garden as they played, though Devin rarely allowed himself to get distracted.
    Michael lifted two large pizzas in one hand. "Grabbed lunch. You guys hungry?"
    Dev nodded, never taking his eyes off Michael. With sixfoot three inches of solid muscle and a smile that put the sun to shame, it wasn't difficult for anyone to figure out why his best friend was an occasional distraction. Whenever he walked into a room, Dev had trouble remembering his own name, never mind the best way to protect his queen from Sam's watchful gaze. All the attention was pointless, though. It didn't matter how many pointed looks he gave or the not-so-subtle flirting he did, he couldn't change the fact that Michael was straight. That didn't stop him from wishing for a sudden change of heart.
    "Always. Just let us finish this game," Sam said, drawing Dev's attention back to him and their game.
    "Do you know if Lee's home?" Michael asked. "I was hoping we could play a pick-up game after lunch."
    "He's not," Sam said.
    "We can still do that," Dev said, his attention once again diverted. A chance to get Michael into some shorts and an excuse to tackle him repeatedly? Count him in.
    "Granted, we've played rugby with four of us, but I don't think even we could pull off a three person game. One on one with a referee?" Michael asked.
    "Two against one sounds better," Sam suggested. He grinned, his expression turning lecherous as he eyed their roommate. Michael blushed and backed away a step, pizza held in front of him like a shield.
    "I don't think two against one would be quite fair," he said.
    "I think you're big enough to handle both of us," Dev put in. "I'd certainly be willing to give it a shot."
    "We promise it won't hurt," Sam said.
    "Speak for yourself," Dev added. He licked his lips.
    Michael opened his mouth to speak before shutting it quickly and shaking his head. "You're impossible. Finish your game."
    Barely glancing at the board, Dev moved his knight into position and plucked Sam's bishop out of play. "Checkmate." Smiling as Sam spluttered and stared at the board, Dev got up and followed Mike into the kitchen. As he approached, Michael closed the refrigerator door with his foot, bottles of water in each hand.
    "You really don't have to take us both on," Dev said, smiling as this earned another blush from his roommate. "I'll be happy to play with you alone."
    "I'm sure you would," Michael said, placing the bottles on the table. "I don't think Jessica would appreciate the competition, though."
    Dev's smile widened. "Who said your girlfriend has to know? I bet there's a lot of things you don't tell her." Devin walked across the kitchen, until he was close enough to reach out and trace the line of stubble on Michael's jaw. "You know I can keep a secret," he said, voice low. "I can do a lot of things you'd like." He stared at Michael a long moment, hoping to unnerve him as easily as he did Sam.
    After a few seconds, Michael leaned down and whispered back, "Not even close. Good try, though." He turned to grab paper plates from a cabinet.
    "You can't blame him for trying," Sammy said from the doorway. "You're not exactly beating him off."
    "Ooh, that sounds like a plan," Dev said.
    Michael rolled his eyes. He placed the plates on the island in the center of the kitchen and pulled out a stool to sit on. "Stop," he said to Dev. Turning to Sam, he added, "You guys are my friends. I don't care if you get a kick out of saying whatever you want when no one else can hear—"
    "He likes the attention and is too afraid to admit he's turned on," Dev said to Sam. Sam nodded and grabbed a plate.
    "But," Michael spoke louder to return their attention to what he was saying. "You both know you don't have the smallest chance with me."
    "You don't have to say anything in front of Sam," Dev began. "I know I'm wearing you down."
    Sam sat on one of the stools tucked under the island and opened the top box of pizza. "Mike, it's all right. If Dev wants his delusions for comfort at night, he can have them. I'll be here when you're ready."
    Mike handed around the bottles