Page 7 of Just a Footnote

Jesus. Aiden steps forward to order himself a scoop of rocky road while Liam orders a scoop of mint chocolate chip. Typical. Everything he knows about Liam should’ve alerted him to the fact that Liam would be boring in regards to ice cream flavor.

Stilted silence washes over them as they wait for the ice cream at the counter. Archer and Miles already have theirs and sit in a booth absorbed in one another. Yuck. Aiden does not want to join them.

When their ice creams are ready, Liam surprises him by asking, “Wanna sit outside with me?”

“It’s cold out,” Aiden points out, sending an anxious look towards Archer.

“It’s either that or watch them both make eyes at each other until we puke up the ice cream anyway.”

Well, Aiden can’t argue with that. “Okay, sure.”

A few two-seat tables are scattered outside the ice cream shop. No one is around since it’s cold and well after ten in the evening on a weekday. Aiden takes a seat in one of the chairs, watching as Liam sits across from him, then eats a spoonful of the rich ice cream.

Sweet treats had always been his and Archer’s secret growing up. Their mother hadn’t liked sweets so they’d take turns stealing chocolate bars the rare times they went shopping as a family. When shit got bad, they’d snap off a few pieces and share them in the closet as their mom rampaged through their house. Surprisingly, sweets were a little more readily available in the foster system. Maybe the families felt bad for them, who knows.

“How’s class going?” Liam asks around a spoonful of his toothpaste ice cream.

“Good. You?”

“Eh, I’m majoring in history. I could do my classes in my sleep. You’re pre-med. I’d say it’s a little harder.”

Aiden eyes him for a moment, but Liam just stares back. “Is that a backhanded way of calling me smart?”

Liam smiles sheepishly. “Maybe.”

“I’ll take it,” Aiden says, smiling back at him. Liam looks at him oddly before returning to his ice cream. “Don’t you normally go out with your girlfriend after games?”

Liam’s face shutters closed. Aiden can’t help but feel like he’s missed a step. He searches his brain for something Archer might’ve mentioned in passing but nothing comes.

“She’s busy tonight.”

“Well,” Aiden hedges in an attempt to alleviate the awkwardness. “She missed a good game. You played great tonight. You had two assists.”

“You watched?”

Aiden laughs at him, trying desperately to not sound like anasshole. “I was at the game? Usually when someone’s at a hockey game they watch the plays.”

“No, I just meant…” Liam clears his throat awkwardly. “I assumed you just watched Archer.”

“Well that would be boring,” Aiden points out as if it’s obvious. “He’s just the goalie.”

Liam awkwardly shifts in his seat. Silence envelops them as they continue to slowly eat their ice cream. A few times Aiden glances inside to check on Archer and relaxes when he sees him still wrapped around Miles.

“They’re so gross,” Liam comments once they finish their ice cream.

Aiden had zoned out, but Liam’s comment sharply brings him back to reality.

“Archer and Miles?” Aiden asks, hoping that he doesn’t have to attempt to commit a violent act against a 6’3” hockey player because of homophobia.

“Yeah.”

Aiden blinks rapidly. “How so?”

“Oh, shit. Not because of that.” Liam holds his hands up in supplication with a terrified look on his face. “Just… they’re so in love. And they’ve been together since what… tenth grade? It’s sickening really. I’m happy for them, but I just can’t imagine it for myself. Not now at least.”

“Well… if anyone deserves happiness it’s my brother.”

Liam’s eyes narrow and his head tilts. “How so?”

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