Common Goal (Game Changers, #4)

by Rachel Reid

How much of a midlife crisis stereotype did Eric want to be? Dating a man who was almost half his age was not happening. There had to be a safer and more sensible option.

Kyle looked incredible. Eric’s heart had started skipping in his chest the moment he recognized the man behind the glasses. He loved this version of him: the sweet, artistic grad student. He was pretty into all versions of Kyle, if he was being honest, but he was so damn cute in those glasses.

Kyle leaned against the opposite wall with his feet planted at different heights on two different steps. He was smiling at the art, his face lit up the same way Eric’s had been when he’d first seen the paintings himself. The way Eric’s face was probably lit up right now watching Kyle.

“Bread is my weakness,” Eric said sheepishly. “I’ve tried to give it up, but...” “You’ve got to have some fun.” “Yeah. I can’t quit bread.” Kyle lifted his glass. “To bread.”

Eric stared at their joined hands, fascinated by the long, slender fingers that tangled with his own meatier ones.

“You’re beautiful,” Eric said, because he’d never told Kyle that before and he thought he should know.

Eric’s kisses had quickly become Kyle’s favorite thing. There was a sweetness to them that Kyle wouldn’t have expected before they’d started doing all this.

Kyle surprised him by wedging himself between Eric’s thighs, then reclined backward against Eric’s chest. Eric wrapped an arm around him, pulling him tight against him, loving the feeling of having him so close. Loving how perfectly Kyle fit against him.

Kyle spotted the painting Eric had bought. Kyle’s face lit up, and Eric’s heart fluttered traitorously.

Kyle winked at him, and Eric’s stupid heart did a backflip. He really did want to be just friends with Kyle, but it was hard to remember that when every part of him was aching to touch the man.

“Why did you invite me?” Kyle asked. Eric glanced up. “I found myself...missing you.”

“You’re so beautiful,” Eric said. He sounded wrecked, his voice high and strained.

“You might be ruining me,” Kyle murmured finally. “Might not want anyone else after this.”

God, this man. Eric needed this man in his life more than was fair to Kyle.

Kyle was smiling at him now. His cheeks were still rosy from their hike, and his hair was a mess from being stuffed under a hat. God, he was cute.

They held hands as they walked together onto the dance floor. The song was a wedding staple—Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love”—but wrapped in the arms of the man he loved, Kyle felt like the first time he had ever heard it.

“I love you,” he said. They said it to each other all the time, but it hadn’t gotten old yet.

“I’m so glad you’re in my life. I’m sorry it wasn’t sooner.” Kyle placed a hand on Eric’s cheek and gazed at the man who had finally been worthy of his heart. “You saved your best years for me, gorgeous.”