Page 39 of Playing the Backbeat

Chapter sixteen

Dylan

Chris, Dom’s brother-in-law, feeds another mini corn dog to Hopper before the giant dog makes himself comfortable on Dee’s couch between Jake—his husband—and Aiden.

“You know, Hopper. Your ancestors were wolves. Now look at you,” Jake teases.

“You be nice to the baby,” Dee hollers from the kitchen where she’s making herself some popcorn. It’s become clear to me that it’s one of Dee’s main food groups.

“That’s exactly what I mean,” Jake says. “He’snota baby. He used to roam the woods feasting on…well, I don’t actually know, but I’m pretty sure it wasn’t mini corn dogs.”

“So, what you’re saying is you don’t have proof itwasn’tmini corn dogs,” Chris provokes his husband from his spot in Dee’s favorite green chair. She perches next to him on the arm cushion, sliding her hand out for a high five, which he instantly gives her.

“Pretty sure I read somewhere that yellow labs did in fact feast on mini corn dogs in the wild. Have any facts to back upyourclaims, Jake?” Dee asks, all mischief in her eyes as she tosses a piece of popcorn across the room to Hopper, which he gobbles out of the air flawlessly.

I wasn’t sure how Dee would feel about me hosting the guys for a game night, but she beamed with unbridled enthusiasm as soon as I mentioned it, asking if she’d mind. She started racing around the living room, sorting through her various piles to make room around the coffee table for everyone.

She offered toget out of my hairand ask one of the girls to get together, but I found myself shoutingno. It was…awkward. I fumbled a recovery, explaining that I didn’t want her to feel like she had to leave her own place.

She shrugged it off and agreed to stay. I can’t explain exactly why that had my nervous system settling, but I know I didn’t like the idea of kicking her out of her own place. And the idea of including her in this did something funny in my chest.

“You two are as bad as a Chris and Ellie team-up,” Jake says with a sigh, refusing to engage in battle. Wise choice.

“I’ll take that as a compliment?” Dee looks to Chris, who nods in agreement.

“As you should. Jake knows no peace when Ellie and I team up,” Chris confirms with glee.

“And neither do I. I’m finally off the hook here. Have at him, Dee.” Dom laughs at his brother’s expense.

“Some brother you are,” Jake grumbles, attempting to trip Dom as he walks past. Dom hops over his older brother’s foot without missing a beat before sitting in front of Dee’s TV, leaning back against the coffee table, legs stretching out in front of him.

I shake my head and continue to set up the gaming system before handing out two controllers, one to Dom and the other to Chris, since they’re the closest.

“So, what are we playing?” Dee asks, tucking her chin into the neckline of her sweatshirt.Mysweatshirt. I must have left it on the couch. Not that I mind that she’s borrowing it.Then why can’t I stop staring?

“Distant Galaxy,” Aiden says. “It’s newer. Basically, we’ve been dropped off on an alien planet and we fall immediately into a battle between two alien races who have been at war for centuries. In self-defense, you accidentally kill the leader, and their army brings you back to their home planet to answer for your crime. But then you realize his daughter, who is set to take power, hated her father and she doesn’t have you executed right away. So, you have to figure out why and —”

“Oh, so enemies to lovers,” Dee says, nodding along to Aiden’s explanation.

Aiden smiles. “Bec said the same thing.”

She makes herself comfortable, wedging herself into the too-small chair with Chris, who doesn’t seem to mind at all, moving over as far as he can to make room for her. “Consider me invested. Just give me names as we get going. I’m terrible with names.”

“The names aren’t important,” I say.

“Are you kidding?” Jake asks, outraged. “It’s obvious foreshadowing. Didn’t you notice his surname is nearly the same as the General from the ancient texts he found on the third mission?”

“Who the fuck was paying attention to that?” Dom asks. “I’m with Dee. I barely remember the name of the main character.”

“His name is Dominic,” Chris says, wheezing with laughter. “Dom, that is theonename you should remember.”

Dee looks absolutely giddy, chomping on another handful of popcorn, her head snapping back and forth as the guys go at it.

She asks questions as we play, showing genuine interest in the story. She even takes a stab at playing herself. She dies instantly,but determined as ever-loving fuck, she demands another turn. And another. She finally lives for longer than a few minutes, and she gives a dramatic bow at the front of the room before making another bowl of popcorn to share.

After a few hours, the guys head out, and Dee helps me clean up, shaking her head in disbelief.

“I can’t believe I’m saying this, butpleasehost another game night. Soon. I need to know what happens next.”