Page 32 of Stick By Me

Axel eyed me, a smirk forming on his lips. “You were out a long time for a first date.” He jumped up from his chair. “You must have liked her.” He strutted to me, winding around me, sniffing. “I’m getting the faint whiff of cologne.” He sniffed again.

“Stop it, Axel.” I shoved him away from me. Did I smell like Archer’s cologne? I hadn’t even noticed if he’d had any on, only his fresh-smelling shampoo.

Axel pulled on my collar, then flicked it. “No sign of lipstick. Aren’t you breeders supposed to have lipstick on your collars when you have a good time with a chick?” He snorted, then sauntered to Remy and stood behind him.

“Axel, quit being a smart ass. That’s only in the movies.” Remy scoffed. “What’s her name?”

“Um…” Shit…what name could I use for him? I raised the edge of my mouth. I’d fix them and use the name Remy gave me when he was dating Axel behind my back. “Angie.” I twisted the cap off my bottle and gulped the water down. I’d let that sink in.

“Angie? Are you serious?” Remy stood up, narrowing his eyes at me. “What’s she look like?”

Dropping the bottle to my side, I said, “I don’t know, wavy blond hair and sexy brown eyes.” I was really fucking with them now. As I swaggered to Remy, I said, “She’s really built, too.”

Remy hung his mouth open. “Wow, Leo. You sound like you’re really into her.”

With a hooked brow, Axel said, “Built? Like a brick house?” Holding the back of his hand to his mouth, he snickered.

“Yeah, like that.” I nodded and smirked at them both.

“You’ll have to bring her to our next gig. Maybe we’ll learn that song for you two.” Axel waggled his brows. “I’m sure Caleb would be all over that with the funky beat.”

“Oh stop, there is no way you’re going to talk the band into playing some seventies funk.” Remy shook his head, then patted Axel’s hip. “Let’s leave Leo to dream about his new woman and get back to this shitty assignment.”

Axel dropped into his seat beside Remy. “Fine. But Leo, if you’re going to beat off to memories of your new woman, please be quiet about it.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll only make as much noise as you and Remy do every night.” With a flip of my hand, I sauntered into the hallway, toward my room. I totally got them off track. But at some point, I might have to come clean.

CHAPTER TEN

ARCHER

The next day, I sat at the Five Guys hamburger joint on campus next to Jonah and across from Mason, eating the most delicious and juicy burgers around. I sipped iced tea from a straw in my cup. We were in between classes and hadn’t had time for a healthier meal at home. One burger wasn’t going to ruin me.

“So, Mason tells me you had Leo over in your room last night?” Jonah plucked a fry out of his white paper bag and stuffed it in his mouth.

“Yes, I did.” My gaze wound out the window next to us, the sun pounding the brick walkway next to Mill Avenue, students strolling by with backpacks slung over their shoulders, some on skateboards and others riding bikes.

“So, you’re not just friends, I take it?” Hooking a brow, Jonah focused on me.

I had nowhere to hide now. “No, we’re not just friends. We hooked up last night.” I bit into my burger, then set it on a paper napkin. If Leo was going to be spending time at my place, they needed the truth. “Look, he’s not out to his friends and family. He’s?—”

“Still figuring his shit out?” He tutted. “Seems to me if he’shooking up with you, he’s already figured his shit out.” He glared at me and pointed his finger in my face. “And don’t try to tell me last night wasn’t a date. You lied to me.”

Gaping, I blinked at him. “I’m, I’m sorry. I didn’t know what to say.” That was a shit move on my part. “Well, now you know.” I ate another bite of burger. Lying was never the answer. I knew better, but fuck. I didn’t know where things were headed with Leo, and I’d wanted to be sure before I said anything.

“Dudes, no fighting over guys. We’re a team, remember?The squad.” Mason planted his elbow on the table and held his fist up high. “Come on.”

“The squad.” I palmed his fist. These guys were the best.

“The squad.” With a huff, Jonah placed his palm over my hand.

The front door of the diner opened and a guy with a black head of hair strutted in, wearing a Sex Pistols t-shirt and black skinny jeans. He ripped his sunglasses off his face and looked around with a grin stretching his mouth.

Hanging my head, I said, “Oh, shit.” It was Axel, Leo’s brother. I knew he was still going to school here, but shit. Didn’t think I’d be running into him the day after I’d hooked up with Leo.

Another man strolled in behind Axel with lighter hair, but cut in a similar fashion, long bangs hanging down the side of his face. Caleb, the bass player from the band.

Jonah tagged my shoulder. “Hey, what’s up?”

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