Chance to Be King Read Online Free PDF Page A

cottage by the lake."
Bob nodded his head. "Eric, good to meet you. Want one?" He waved another bottle at Eric. "Great. Thanks." Eric accepted the bottle and dug in his pockets for money.
    "I'll get this one," Thomas said as he handed over the money. Bob gave him his change and two more bottles. Eric didn't argue, figuring he could return the favor another time, and they moved away from the press of people at the bar, a bottle in each hand.
"Thomas, great to see you here but…"
     
Eric watched as Thomas leaned forward and kissed a petite, dark-haired woman on the cheek. "Forgot what night it was, Di. Meet Eric. He's at the cottage."
    "Good to meet you, Eric." She held out her hand, Eric swapped both bottles to one hand and they shook. She had a firm handshake. "How're you enjoying it at the cottage?"
    "Only arrived a couple of days ago but Thomas' been looking after me just fine, especially as he brought me dinner."
Di raised her eyebrow at Thomas. "You never offer to bring me dinner, young man."
    Thomas was unfazed. "That's because you have a man of your own to make you dinner, you wicked woman. I don't suppose you've ever cooked in the whole time you've been married."
"True enough," Di grinned. "He didn't marry me for my culinary skills."
    There was a derisive snort from behind Eric and he turned to see a man staring fondly at Di. "I'd have starved if I'd waited for you to feed me."
    She wrapped her arms around his waist and gave him a mischievous grin. "You know exactly why you married me."
    "And you know exactly why you married me," he returned, nuzzling her neck. Neither of them seemed bothered by their audience, or Thomas' eye-roll and long-suffering sigh.
    "Guys, we have a guest. Eric, the man groping Di is her husband, Pete. Pete, if you could put her down for a second… this is Eric who's staying at the cottage."
    Pete leaned over his wife and shook hands with Eric. "I gather Thomas' already cooking for you? However did you manage that one?"
    Eric opened his mouth to respond but was beaten to it by Di hooting with laughter. "You really need to ask why Thomas' gone all domestic?"
    Thomas snorted loudly. "God, why do I put up with you two? Ignore them, 'Ric. They're only jealous because I've never cooked for them."
    Amused by the banter between the friends, Eric smiled, sliding his arm around Thomas' and squeezing him lightly, noting Di's eyes widen as he did so. "He's only feeding me because he wants a second date."
    "Ha ha, very funny." Eric could feel Thomas tense beneath his fingers but he didn't pull away. "Shouldn't that be my line?"
    "I haven't fed you yet, and yes, I'm still hoping you're gonna put… OW! " Eric winced as Thomas' sharp elbow dug in the tender skin in his side.
    Pete and Di had been watching the exchange with increasing interest. "I think he's going to fit right in around here. You can keep him," Di informed Thomas.
    "Not sure I want to now," he groused. "Not if he gets your approval. It would be like my boyfriend being chosen by my mother."
Di snorted. "Your mother would have seen Eric and kept him for herself."
     
"I'm not sure I fancy being anybody's kept boy," mused Eric.
     
"Fine. I won't bother bringing around any more food," Thomas mock-pouted.
     
Eric's stomach rumbled on cue.
    "Predictable much!" Thomas smiled up at him, his eyes crinkling in a way Eric found completely irresistible. He really wanted to bend down and kiss Thomas, but in the middle of a bar of strangers… not such a good move.
"I can't help my stomach; I'm a growing boy and you promised me dinner… remember?"
    "You're buying… remember? Dinner it is. 'Course, not having to listen to this would have been awesome." Thomas winced as a dude with a small head and large hat massacred 'Eye Of The Tiger'.
"You know… I might drag you up there if you're not careful."
     
"Oh, no, no, definitely not!"
    Thinking it might be fun, Eric put on his most winsome face. "Come on, it'll be fun," he wheedled, "We could order dinner