Page 102 of Just a Footnote

“Yes,” Aiden says from between his teeth.

Thankfully, that’s the end of that discussion. The box is full of chatter when they enter. People Aiden doesn’t recognize scatter around, but there are a handful of few that he does. Notably, Liam’s father stands in the corner, and Aiden would normally run but he feels like this moment is too big for that.

He walks right up to Simon Walsh and says, “Hello, sir.”

Simon laughs, eyebrows furrowing. “I’ve told you to call me, Simon. Multiple times now.”

“Sorry, can’t.”

“You’re a good kid, Aiden Clark. Liam really cares about you.”

Aiden flushes and rubs at his neck. “I know. I’m sorry about … it took a while. I love him.”

“Took a lot for you to say that huh?”

Aiden nods, throat thick with emotion. “Yeah.”

“Well, I’m sure we’ll be in each other’s lives for a really long time. Thank you for always supporting Liam. I’m happy he has you.”

Simon winks at him instead of trying to shake hands or laugh and Aiden is suddenly really grateful for that. He’s grateful that Liam has such a loving father, has a good relationship with him, and he’s glad that he’s taken this step to try… to be friendly with the man. He needs to be better, do better. Simon heads to his seat with a parting smile sent Aiden’s way.

He quickly beelines right for Skye and pulls her in for a tight hug.

“Dude,” Skye says, laughing. They hug each other tight for a few seconds. Aiden pulls away to kiss Skye on the cheek. “When did you get so cuddly? Liam is good for you.”

“I’ve always been like this.”

Skye shakes her head, pinning him with a look. “I promise you, you haven’t.”

“Ollie?”

Skye nodes towards the first row of seats in the box. “Chatting with Matty.”

Aiden hisses. “I forgot…”

Skye cuffs Aiden on the neck. They make idle chat for a few moments as Aiden grabs himself a drink, no alcohol tonight, just a soda to steel his nerves. He follows Skye over to where Ollie and Matty are entranced in a conversation that has neither of them anticipating their approach. Skye sits down beside Ollie, and Aiden watches with a smile as Ollie reaches over to rest a hand on Skye’s knee without breaking his conversation with Matty. They’re so in tune with one another. So in love.

A few years ago he would’ve had a snide remark about love, but maybe Liam has changed him. More than he’s realized. Because there’s no snide remark in his head, just happiness for his friends. Happiness that they’ve found each other in such a shitty world. Like how he somehow found Liam.

He takes the seat beside Matty and stares out at the ice. Warm ups are just starting. So he watches as Liam enters the ice, loosening all his limbs, all gorgeous smiles for his fellow teammates.

“Aiden,” Matty says from beside him.

Aiden breaks his gaze from Liam to look at Matty. “Matty.”

“Glad to see you’ve finally grown a pair.”

“Pleasant, as always. I’ve missed you.”

Matty smiles, just a slight upturn of his lips, but it’s enough to take the edge off of Aiden’s frayed nerves. “I’m sure by now you know how much he loves you.”

Aiden rolls his eyes. “Yes, he never shuts up about it. Now let's not talk about me. I’m old news. Liam mentioned you’ve been doing social media stuff?”

Matty hums, nodding his head. “I kind of fell into it. The money is good. My degree was in marketing, so it’s not far off.”

“Good for you.”

“I’ve been doing it for an NFL team the past year, but I think I’d like to try to get in with an NHL team. Miles put a good word in for me here. We’ll see how it goes.”

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