Page 38 of Just a Footnote

wear my jersey and i’ll fuckyou in it later

Every single molecule in Aiden’s body reacts to Liam’s text. He looks over at Skye on the other bed, texting away, probably to Ollie. He doesn’t know how to respond. Of course he’s thought about it. A lot actually. But he’s also kind of afraid that it might make things a little too serious. Liam seems the type to get possessive after fucking someone. And while this is fun, it’s just for now. Nothing can come of it after college.

But Aiden really wants Liam to fuck him.

Where do I get one of your jerseys?

I brought an extra one for you. I’ll give it to you tomorrow morning.

How is he going to explain this? Luckily, the nosiest people in his life will be playing tomorrow so the only person he really has to explain it to is Skye. Skye isn’t stupid. Skye is observant and kind hearted and doesn’t take anyone's shit.

Although Ollie and Skye started dating two years ago, you wouldn’t know it. You’d think Skye had always just been around. The team loves her, she doesn’t take any of their shit, and she keeps Ollie in line when he’s thinking of doing something stupid like jumping off the roof after a win to showboat.

So he knows that Skye won’t judge him if she finds out about whatever it is that he and Liam are doing. But he also doesn’t want Skye to know. Because it’s private. Something that is just Aiden’s, for the first time in his life he has something that’s just his. He’s never slept with the same person more than once. Repeat hookups always seemed too intimate. Too real. But hooking up with Liam repeatedly has worn down some of his walls that he’ll have to spend months rebuilding once things finally end.

The arena is packed when they walk up to it the next morning. Excitement vibrates from Skye but Aiden only feels an oddsort of dread. Everything will change after this. They’ll graduate next month, Archer will go to New York to start his hockey career, and Aiden will have to start over somewhere new again.

Change has always been difficult for him to handle. Archer and Aiden had been taken away from their mother when they were eight years old, then shepherded from foster home to foster home. Each new place was harder than the last. The only reason he survived any of that was because Archer was with him. Archer is the only steady thing he’s ever had.

In an attempt to camouflage among the fans, Liam stands at the entrance to their seat section with a ball cap tugged down low over his face. Aiden could recognize his build blind though; the slope of his shoulders, curl of his hair under the hat, and shuffle of his feet. He looks nervous. A warm, excited smile spreads across Liam’s face when he spots them through the crowd. Oh no. That smile aimed at him is lethal. Aiden’s fingers anxiously twitch in the pocket of his jeans.

“What the hell,” Skye whispers from beside him.

“Shut up,” Aiden whispers back, voice cracking on the words.

Liam rocks back on his heels as they come to a stop in front of him. A folded jersey sweater hangs between his fingers and he sheepishly holds it out for Aiden. Their fingers brush when Aiden takes it from him. The simple touch feels like a million lightning strikes at once.

“I’ll see you after the game,” Liam says, voice a little shaky, then he dips his head to disappear down the curve of the arena. Aiden watches until he’s disappeared from sight.

Aiden grits his teeth as he tugs the jersey sweater over his t-shirt.

“It was a bet. I lost,” Aiden lies.

Skye frowns, lines appearing on her forehead, but she doesn’t argue even though Aiden can tell she wants to push forfurther explanation. No words are exchanged between them as they locate their seats, sitting down silent beside one another. If AU wins this one, he knows Liam will want him to wear the jersey for the next game too. Fucking superstition. He grits his teeth, but he thinks about Liam kissing him, teasing him, that damn smile that makes Aiden’s heart feel too big for his ribcage.

So he settles in to wear the jersey for the remainder of their time at the Frozen Four. Doesn’t bother him as much as it should.

Not to anyone’s surprise,they win the game. Clutching the VIP passes they were given to get all access during the entirety of the Frozen Four, they find their way to the locker rooms through a crowd of happy, delighted fans. Skye goes straight into the locker room, not paying Aiden any mind. Aiden doesn’t feel like it though. He leans against the wall outside the locker room, one foot propped against the wall, hands tucked into his tight jeans and wearing Liam’s jersey.

He tries not to think aboutWalshemblazoned across his back.

Undoubtedly, he looks like an asshole, posed the way he is, but he also knows that Liam will like it. Which is the entire point.

He’s proven right when Liam comes out of the locker room. Liam stumbles, mid-step, hair a wet mess atop his head, as his eyes rake over Aiden leaning against the wall in his jersey. His eyes dart from side to side to gauge how much he can get away with in the hallway. Aiden can only smirk at him.

“Nice win,” Aiden says, sarcastic but genuine at the same time.

The words break Liam from his trance. He rolls his eyes,coming to a stop right in front of Liam. “Well now you have to wear the jersey for the next game too.”

Aiden knew it. “You’ll owe me.”

Liam lifts one eyebrow. “I told you what I’d give you if you wore it.”

Aiden holds up one finger. “Each time I wear it…you fuck me the way I want.”

Liam’s eyes darken and he licks his plush lips. Aiden wishes he could lean forward to taste his mouth. They stare at each other in heated silence for a moment. Neither willing to risk being caught but neither willing to pull away from each other just yet.

“Alright,” Liam whispers, a flush spreading to his cheeks.

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