Playing to Win Read Free Page B

“What happened? Are they engaged?”
    The big ginger shook his head. “Just a joke. Besides, it won’t be long before Fergus chucks John off the balcony for failing to use a coaster. Threatened to do that to me once, and I don’t even live here.”
    Andrew watched as Fergus and John kissed, holding each other so tight it seemed they’d never let go. The sight made him ache. What was it like to be truly known, as these two knew each other, and somehow still loved?
    He turned to speak to Colin, but he’d already left Andrew’s side. A quick search of the party, which was now breaking up due to lack of beer, revealed him near the television, chatting to Robert’s girlfriend. Danielle was letting him read something off her phone screen. Colin copied the information into his own phone, then looked straight at Andrew.
    The air between them snapped with tension. Colin ran his teeth slowly over his bottom lip, looking as though he were contemplating a monumental decision. Then he jerked his head to beckon Andrew over.
    Much as he wanted to obey, to dash over and run his own teeth over that lip, the aristocrat in him saved his dignity. Oh no, little man, you do not summon me.
    Andrew lifted his chin and turned away, approaching Fergus and John to thank them for the party.
    “Cheers for the wine, Drew,” John said, still draped with Fergus in the fleece blanket. “We’ll save it for a special occasion.”
    “It’s your first night at home together. What occasion could be more special?” Andrew looked up at Fergus. “ Carpe noctem. ”
    “We will.” The tall, lean football captain gazed down at John. “Every night.”
    As they resumed snogging—right in front of him, my God—Andrew felt a light tap on his elbow. He turned to see Colin standing beside him, closer than he needed to, given the thinning crowd.
    “Do you still go to raves?” Colin asked in a low voice. “All the clubs are pure crammed out with Commonwealth Games tourists, so a few folk have put together a party over in—well, I cannae tell you where it is unless you’re coming.”
    Andrew hesitated. It was risky, going to an illegal dance party without his bodyguard, Reggie. But he couldn’t bring himself to walk away from Colin again.
    “If I say yes, will it make you smile?”
    Colin blinked. “No.”
    “What would it take to get a smile out of you?”
    “Hm.” Colin scanned the ceiling, considering. “Ten quid. But a fiver’ll get you a smirk.”
    “Let me see.” Andrew opened his wallet and withdrew the only sort of note he had. “Can you change a hundred?”
    Colin broke into a beaming grin that lit up Andrew’s entire spine. He took the note and pocketed it. “No.” Then he turned away, back to his mates.
    Andrew watched him, his nerves still glowing from the memory of that smile.
    Worth every penny.

C HAPTER T WO

    “D OES HE FANCY himself Clark Kent?” Danielle asked Colin as their group waited in John and Fergus’s car park for Andrew to put on his disguise. “Is he turning into Super Raver?”
    “Lord Andrew’s too famous to go out as himself,” Katie said.
    “Unless he’s got at least four bodyguards,” added her girlfriend, Siobhan. “I read it on Buzzfeed.”
    “Why are we bringing him?” Liam asked Colin. “I thought you hated poncey toffs like Andrew.”
    “I do.” Colin stared at the bright red Tesla. Through the roadster’s rolled-up tinted windows, he could barely make out Andrew changing clothes. “But there’s something about this one.”
    “‘Something’?” Siobhan laughed. “You say it like it’s a mystery. He’s gorgeous and minted and dresses like a catwalk model.”
    Danielle nodded. “He doesn’t have a je ne sais quoi . More like a je sais exactement quoi .”
    Scowling at his girlfriend’s admiration, Robert said, “Colin, you just met him. I know he’s mates with John, but—”
    “I didnae just meet him.” Colin crossed his arms, his gaze still fixed on the Tesla.