Page 22 of Just a Footnote

Ollie drags Liam away towards the television where their teammates play video games. The lingering stare aimed his way by Liam is enough to keep Aiden on edge the remainder of the night. Between the alcohol and the high of the win, everyone is loose limbed and happy. Aiden can’t help but smile when he hears Archer’s laugh over the din of the party.

He grabs a cider of his own, then wanders over to an empty wall to lean against it. The room is warm, a bead of sweat trickles down his neck, but he doesn’t shrug off his leather jacket. He has an image to maintain anyway. Archer’s aloof twin, trouble, maybe even douchebag. He likes that image, it works for him, stops people from expecting too much of him.

“I didn’t realize you and Liam had become friends,” a voice says from beside him. He looks over to see Matty standing almost too close, a cider in the loose grip of his long fingers. Matty’s dark eyes stare into him. He’s objectively good looking, Matty is. Deeply tanned skin, dark eyes, shaved head, lips that on anyone else would send Aiden into a fit of flirtation. But no, he’s angling for someone else now. Even if it’s stupid.

“He’s best friends with Archer. It’s natural. Wouldn’t you say you’re buddy buddy with my brother?”

Matty’s penetrating gaze deepens. “Not really. But maybe I’m more of a solitary creature than you.”

Aiden blinks at him before lifting the cider to his lips. After a swallow he says, “You’re the one on a team sport here. Not me.”

“Are you angling for something with Liam?”

“No, but even if I was…how is it your business? Did you get there first?”

Matty scoffs. He turns his head to look over his shoulder at Liam who’s hamming it up with Aiden’s brother at the pool table. “I’m not in love with him if that’s what you’re asking.”

“Just territorial of your bestie?” Aiden asks, all sarcasm and bite. He pushes off the wall so he’s a step closer to Matty. They might be inches apart in height, but Aiden knows how to use his body to intimidate. “I don’t care about Liam. I don’t care about you. I don’t care about anyone in this room, but Archer.” He uses his almost empty bottle of cider to point in Archer’s direction. “I guess you and I have that in common, yeah? Two protective shits. You don’t have to worry about me pissing on your territory.”

Matty shakes his head, letting out a frustrated noise. “You don’t get it at all. You’re fucking clueless, man.”

Before Aiden can respond, Matty stalks off to join Archer and Liam. He mutters something to Liam, causing Liam’s gaze to flit over the crowd before landing on Aiden.

An itch forms under Aiden’s skin through the rest of the party. The itch grows and swells until Aiden feels like he’s going to combust before he can scratch it.

By the time everyone clears out, it’s almost two in the morning. They all stand at the dark entrance of Liam’s house, preparing themselves for the bitter cold outside.

Liam shoves his big hands into his hoodie. “I’ll give you guys a ride back to campus.”

“No.” Archer shakes his head adamantly. “That’s stupid, Liam. You live here. We’ll just get a ride share. Plus, you’ve been drinking.”

“I had one beer and I feel like driving. Let’s go.” Liam holds the front door open for everyone.

The twenty minute ride to campus is quiet except for Miles and Archer’s hushed whispers in the back seat. Matt sits stoic beside them, radiating some kind of energy that Aiden doesn’t care to place. When they arrive back at the dorm, Aiden stays in the heated passenger seat, while everyone else climbs out.

“Hey,” Archer says, peeking his head through the passenger door. “I’m gonna stay at Miles’ place tonight. I’ll see you in the morning?”

Aiden nods tightly. He watches his brother disappear with Miles inside the dorm. Liam clears his throat, pulling Aiden’s attention back to him.

“So?” Liam asks bashfully, rubbing at his neck.

Aiden tosses him a playful smirk. “Come up?”

A lovely flush spreads across Liam’s face, easy to see even in the dark. “Alright.”

The two minute walk up to his dorm has never felt so long. Liam’s quiet, unusually so, making Aiden think he’s never done this sort of thing before. Not just with a man, but maybe never at all. Not everyone is a fan of hookups and that’s nothing that Aiden will ever sneer about. If Aiden was a better man, he wouldn’t even let this start. But Aiden isn’t a good man and he’s not willing to turn down something that could give him a sliver of peace. Once safely ensconced in the dorm, Liam shoves his hands in the pocket of his hoodie, rocking back on his heels, a nervous trait that Aiden is annoyed he’s starting to recognize. Aiden shrugs off his leather jacket and drops it on the kitchen counter. Slowly, he walks up to Liam, close enough to smell whatever it is that makes him smell like oranges, and looks coyly up at him through his lashes.

“What do you want?” Aiden asks, voice husky and low.

“I don’t know,” Liam admits. He looks thoughtful, maybe a bit confused. “Well…I do. I just don’t know…god.”

Aiden laughs teasingly. “Can you form a coherent sentence?”

“I’ve never liked another guy before.”

“Like,” Aiden repeats hollowly. Oh, that’s not good. That’s too close tocrush. And also too close to Miles being right. He should end it right now.

“Found attractive,” Liam clarifies.

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