A thought during board games (Drabble- poly boys)

“Seven,” Rory read from the dice. “Where's the seven?”

“There is NO seven,” Jobie said. “Move the robber.”

“Sassy sassy man,” Rory said.

“what.”

Gene chuckled with a closed mouth as he picked up the thief piece in the middle of the board, and Ace watched the rare smile lines in the corners of his eyes make an appearance. Ace then began to wonder when the last time was that Gene laughed at something he had to say. He then wondered if he was the least funny boyfriend.

He looked at Rory and Jobie, then back at Gene. He tried to remember a time that they had laughed at something he said, or smiled at him in the way they smiled at each other. Not because Ace had smiled first, and they thought they should smile back, but because Ace was something to smile about. He couldn’t remember.

Ace wondered, to himself, if he was unpleasant. Not unpleasant enough to avoid, but unpleasant enough to be expendable. If any of them were to go, it would definitely be him. Not much would change.

He imagined how they would talk about him after he was gone. What they might say about him, and who would be the most empathetic. They may even be playing a game like this, all together with a new partner, explaining that the last one had been so difficult at times and unstable. How they didn’t know how to handle him, or that he was annoying. Selfish at times. And how one time, he ruined Christmas Eve after accusing them of making plans to break up with him.

Gene’s big hand gave Ace’s knee a squeeze.

“Aye,” He said.

Everyone was staring at Ace. He realized he looked like he was having a bad time.

“What?” He asked. “Oh,” Ace said, then leaned forward to roll the dice.

“You alright?” Rory asked.

Ace wanted to yell at him.

“I’m fine, I was just thinking about a shoot I have tomorrow.”

Ace leaned back and tucked a piece of hair behind his ear.