Page 48 of Just a Footnote

“There’s still time,” Archer shoots back.

“We need to take pictures,” Simon says, clearly holding back a laugh from their banter.

“Yes, little brother. Pictures for posterity.” Archer drags him towards the fountain in front of the arena that’s somehow miraculously empty from other families wanting photos.

Simon takes pictures of Archer and him, grinning, overjoyed that they’ve made it. Then Archer reaches out and drags Miles into a few of the photos. It feels like a family. A little tiny family. Aiden is momentarily overwhelmed at the idea of it. When Liam joins in for the last photo, that feeling hits him even harder. He smiles for the camera, feeling like he might cry, and he sheepishly ducks his head when he feels Liam’s hand brush the small of his back.

The next day passes almost the exact same. Aiden hasn’t ever seen Archer so happy for so many consecutive days before. Miles is happy too but in a more subdued, bittersweet type of way. The three of them never had much of anything they were able to call their own. Three foster kids bounced around from loveless home to loveless home only to end up college graduates in the pursuit of greatness.

This time, Aiden sits in the crowd beside Skye and Simon as Archer, Miles, Ollie, and Liam prepare to walk the stage. It feels a little weird sitting next to Simon. He thinks about the day Liam gets married, Simon looking on, and something hot and angry grows in his chest. As Liam walks across the stage right after Archer, Aiden realizes why that feeling hurts so much.

He doesn’twantLiam to be with someone else. He wants Liam to be withhim. He wants to have something with Liam. Alife? Maybe. But that’s not possible. Liam wants a family, a home, some kids, and he’s about to go into the NHL as the son of Simon Walsh, former NHL superstar. Aiden is going to protect Liam’s future as best he can because Liam deserves it.

He’s in love with Liam. He doesn’t know how it happened, when he let it happen, he hadn’t even known he was capable of that kind of love. Liam’s vivid eyes flash in his memory as he thinks about all the times they laughed while playing video games, their stupid trips to museums, their kisses that should’ve been all consuming but ended up soft and sweet.

How is he going to stop this now?

Aiden Clark is a weak man.

Not because he fell in love but because he can’t stop it. He’ll do whatever it is they are doing until Liam smartens up and ends it. Because having pieces of Liam is better than having none at all. And he will watch as one day Liam moves on to someone better, someone whole, someone that can give him everything he wants. Everything he deserves.

And Aiden will die a little inside every day that it happens.

Aiden feels himself start to cry as he finds Archer in the crowd. Their eyes meet and Aiden mock salutes him. It’s the start of something new. He’s ecstatic but he’s also so fucking sad. He shouldn’t but he lets his gaze flick over to Liam to find Liam already looking at him. Liam smiles, that soft smile only Aiden ever gets to see, and Aiden can’t help but return it.

That night when they sneak off for quick celebratory blowjobs, Aiden tries to pretend like it doesn’t hurt just a little bit when they kiss afterwards. Liam sneaks out of the dorm without a word, shooting a grin over his shoulder as he races towards the stairs. He won’t see Liam again until the draft two months from now. How is he going to go two months without Liam’s skin under his fingers, Liam’s laugh in his mouth, orLiam’s easy demeanor calming him down when he feels restless in his own skin.

He’s so fucked.

“Texas ishotter than Satan’s taint,” Miles grumbles as they climb out of their taxi at the hotel.

“How do you know how hot Satan’s taint is?” Aiden asks, genuinely curious.

Miles shoots him a glare before stomping into the hotel. Archer chuckles from beside Aiden and follows after his boyfriend. Aiden takes a big gulp of air, not minding the dry heat. The dry heat is easier on him than the humid heat of Georgia summers. The heat reminds him a little bit of the California desert.

They check into the hotel. Archer got them a suite so he and Miles share a room but Aiden has his own. He’s thankful for the privacy, but it feels a bit silly. He could’ve just gotten his own hotel room. A knock sounds on the door to his room just as he hangs his garment bag up in the closet.

“Sup?” Aiden says to Miles as he turns around.

Miles tosses himself on his bed, seemingly at home in Aiden’s room.

“Do you think Liam is going to go higher in the draft than Archer did?”

“Probably, he’s just a goalie.”

“Oh my god,” Miles gasps dramatically. His eyes widen comically, making Aiden roll his own eyes. “Justa goalie. I’m going to tell him you said that.”

“Fine, I’m not afraid of him.”

Archer walks into the room, tossing himself on the bed next to Miles. Aiden frowns at them. “Are you talking about me?”

“Don’t you both have your own room? Why are you in my room?”

Miles grins mischievously up at Aiden. “Tomorrow is a big day.”

“Okay?” Aiden laughs awkwardly.

“We want to go to a gay bar tonight.”

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