Down and Dirty (Hot Jocks #5)(60)

“The guests of honor get to go first,” Ana says, handing off the dice to Landon.

He rolls them on the board, moves the chip along, and lands on a square marked FAVORITE MOVIE.

“Piece of cake,” he says, shooting me a knowing grin. “Annie.”

I nod enthusiastically. “Got it. And yours is Shawshank Redemption.”

“Yup.”

We high-five, both of us beaming with pride. Not bad for a couple that’s only been together for three months.

“Us next!” Becca giddily snatches up the dice, giving them a roll. She and Owen ace the question about favorite sports teams, which seems unfair seeing as they both say the Seattle Ice Hawks.

After a few more couples ace their questions, including Jordie and Grant, Ana and Jason are up.

“You know this one,” Ana says, clapping her hands between words for emphasis. “My favorite animal! It’s easy!”

Her boyfriend has clueless written all over his face. “I don’t know it. Can I just guess?”

She lets out an exasperated huff, turning toward the group. “Can I give him a clue?”

“Go for it.” Asher shrugs. “You made the game.”

“When we went to the pumpkin patch and they had that petting zoo . . .” She nods toward him, waiting for him to fill in the blanks. “Remember? There was one animal I really, really wanted to pet? Even though there were tons of little kids in line?”

Jason stares at her blankly. “Dog?”

“Oh my God.” She rolls her eyes, throwing her hands up with a frustrated groan. “It’s a goat. Specifically, I love baby goats. You totally knew that.”

“Well, sorry I haven’t memorized every damn thing about you, Ana.” Jason’s jaw tics, his dark eyes narrowing to a squint. “Not every word out of your mouth is fucking gold, you know.”

“Cool it, dude,” Landon says in a low voice, giving Jason a nudge. “It’s just a game.”

“Whatever. This is fucking stupid,” Jason says on a sigh.

Ana shoots her boyfriend a pleading look. “Can we take it easy on the f-bombs tonight and just relax?” She reaches out to rest a hand on his shoulder, but he shrugs out of her reach.

“Don’t fucking tell me to relax.” He pushes to his feet, stepping over the game board and toward the door. “I’ll catch you guys later.”

And just like that, he’s gone, leaving his teary-eyed girlfriend on the floor, confused and hurt.

For a stunned moment, everyone is quiet. The only sound is the ventilation system kicking on and a soft whoosh of air. Ana looks stunned, shaken, and my heart aches for her.

“I . . . I . . .” Ana stammers, her gaze darting between me and the door. “I’m so sorry. I think maybe I should just go.”

“You don’t have to leave, Ana,” I say, giving her a pleading look.

“I know, but I just . . .” She shakes her head. I can tell she’s about three minutes away from real tears.

Crap. I remember being in that situation at the brunch table in Vegas. All I wanted was to run away before my friends saw me cry.

“Whatever you want to do,” I say. “It’s up to you.”

“I think it’s better if I just go,” she says quietly.

“I can take you,” Grant says, rising and holding out a hand to help Ana to her feet. “As much as Jordie and I are a power couple at this game, I’d better quit while I’m ahead.”

Something inside me squeezes at the sight of this huge, hulking man of few words and even fewer emotions offering to be her savior for the night.

Then again, I recall the way Grant’s jaw muscles flexed when Jason verbally sparred with Ana in the kitchen earlier. It was like he was grinding his molars to avoid getting between them. And while I’ve never seen him offer to drive someone home before, you’d have to be blind not to notice the way Grant sometimes looks at Ana. Then again, how could you not look at Ana in any way but with fondness? She’s adorable and tiny. And sweet, like one of those little elves who lives in a tree house baking cookies.

Ana wipes a tear from her cheek with the side of her hand, sniffling out a thank you before saying her good-byes to everyone, promising me that we’ll do yoga again before I go and that she’ll text me when she’s safe at home.

“Let me know who wins the game,” she says with a forced smile as Grant helps her into her coat, then holds the door open for her on their way out.

I have no qualms about them leaving together. From the limited time I’ve spent with him, I know Grant is a good guy. Unlike Jason, apparently.

Sara clears her throat, breaking the painful silence in the room. “Um, do you guys still want to play the game?”

“Let’s just move on,” Bailey says. “Since Jordie is flying solo now.”

We all agree to call it a tie on the trivia game and opt for the game Becca planned, which involves diapering baby dolls. It feels a bit more suited for a baby shower than tonight’s celebration, but I’m half a glass of champagne in, so I can’t be bothered to ask too many questions.

I proudly claim the gold medal as the fastest person to diaper the stiff baby doll, but Asher’s years of practice as an uncle gets him the most diapers taken off and put on in a minute. Meanwhile, Landon can hardly figure out how to open the diaper packaging.