Page 99 of Just a Footnote

“What kind of bet?” Aiden asks when he hears the familiar sound of the hotel room door closing.

“I want to come out.”

“No,” Aiden responds automatically.

A rush of dread works its way through him. Liam frequentlybrings up coming out. They’ve been together officially for six months now. Everyone that needs to know about them does. Their college friends, Liam’s dad, even a few members of Liam’s current team in Seattle that he trusts.

But the public? Aiden doesn’t know if he’s ready for that. He doesn’t know if he’ll ever be. Not because he’s scared of the public, he really doesn’t give a shit, but he’s scared of how they’ll treat Liam. How it could affect his career.

“Listen,” Liam says carefully, in that tone he uses when he knows Aiden is about to have a grade five meltdown. The tone used to bother him, but not so much anymore. “I want to do this. I want to claim you publicly. I know this is a thing for you and that’s okay. Something you have to work past. But I kind of think that’s why it might be okay if we do it this way. Leave it up to fate. I’m not scared of losing my career or how people react, but I am scared of ever losing you. So think about it, okay? If I win, I get to kiss you and hold you like all the other players do their significant others. I don’t think it’s a big ask to want to celebrate the biggest win of my career with my boyfriend.”

Fuck Liam and his earnestness. It’s going to be Aiden’s ruin. He picks at the edge of his shirt, a nasty habit he’s somehow picked up from Liam over the years, despite spending most of their time together apart. He blows out a breath, inhaling slowly through his nose.

“Okay.”

Quiet settles between them for a moment before Liam softly asks, “Okay?”

“If you win, I’ll hug you on the ice like all the other girlfriends. I’ll let you give me one kiss. If youwin. Because if Archer wins…I’ll have to be on the ice celebrating with him. Afterwards I’ll console you. That’s the deal.”

“Good deal,” Liam says roughly with an edge to his voice.

“Are you crying?” Aiden asks tenderly.

“A little bit.”

Aiden smiles like a dope into the phone. “Now tell me all the dirty things you want to do with me when we’re together again. Be as filthy as possible.”

“You’re such a little shit.”

“You love me.”

“I do,” Liam confirms, then proceeds to do just as Aiden asked.

Aiden decidesto only attend the final game, showing up the day before in Seattle. So, he’s not surprised when he exits the Seattle airport to see Miles standing beside a sports car, sunglasses low on his nose, smirk on his lips.

“I’m your valet today,” Miles announces in greeting.

Aiden shoves his duffle bag into the popped trunk of the too small sports cars. It’s hard for him to fold himself into the passenger seat so he has no idea how Miles and Archer do it, considering they have a few inches on him.

“This car is too fucking small.”

“Maybe so,” Miles agrees. “But wait until I gun it on the expressway.”

Aiden rolls his eyes, but Miles is kind of right once he hits the gas. “Are you taking me to the hotel?”

“Mmmm, nope.”

Aiden turns to stare at Miles. “So where are you taking me?”

“Liam’s hotel.”

“Nope. Take me to my hotel. I do not want to be put in the middle of an Archer and Liam rivalry. I can’t be with Liam because then Archer will say I’m choosing sides! I will see Liam after the game.”

Miles purses his lips. “I was not told to expect an argument.”

Aiden lets out a loud sigh, pinches the bridge of his nose. “You thought that I wouldn’t argue with you? Repeat that to yourself out loud.”

“I can see I made a mistake there.”

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