Page 33 of Stick By Me

“See those two guys?” I glanced their way as they sauntered to the ordering counter. “Look, but don’t stare at them.”

“Hey, yeah, they look familiar. Aren’t they in the band we went to see a few weeks ago? What was it, Knot Me?” Mason’s attention drew to them.

“Don’t stare at them,” I hissed and slapped his forearm, resting across the table. Maybe Axel and Caleb would take their food to go and not notice us. It was too weird knowing I was dating his brother, and his brother wasn’t out.

As I snuck a glance at Axel, his gaze caught mine and his grin widened. Shit.

Axel tapped Caleb on the arm and pointed our way. After the guy at the counter handed them their orders in white baggies, they filled their drink cups at the soda machine and walked our way, Axel saying, “What a surprise.” He landed his hand on my shoulder. “Archer, my brother’s new bestie.” He ticked his head at Jonah and Mason. “And I see we’ve got part of the squad here?”

“Yeah, I’m Mason and this is Jonah.” Mason, beaming at Axel, held out his hand.

Axel shook his hand. “This here is Caleb, bass player extraordinaire and new IT guy over at American Express HQ down the street.”

“Hey, nice to see you all again.” Caleb shook everyone’s hand in turn.

“Mind if we join you?” Axel slid in next to Mason and set his food and drink on the table.

“Uh, no.” Mason looked Axel up and down, then licked his lips.

Caleb grabbed an open chair and swung it around, then sank into it at the end of our table. “Axel’s not one to wait for an invitation.” Shaking his head, he chuckled.

“He can sit next to me anytime.” Mason gave Axel a coy smile. “Or on me.” He wagged his brows at Axel.

“Axel has a boyfriend, Mason. Cool yourself.” I huffed. Hadn’t I told him that already? This was not good. I hoped my friends, especially Mason, could keep their traps shut about me and Leo.

Axel tongued his upper lip. “But if I didn’t have a boyfriend, you’d be on the menu.” He bumped his shoulder to Mason’s.

“Well, let me know if something goes awry in that department.” Mason sipped his iced tea from his straw, ogling Axel.

“That won’t happen. Axel’s been in love with Remy since he was born.” Caleb barked out a sharp laugh.

“Remy…So, Axel’s dating Remy and Remy is the guy Leo brought to our game?” Jonah knitted his brows.

“Yeah, Remy is…was Leo’s best friend.” Axel’s gaze cut to mine, and he gave me an open-mouthed smirk. “I think Archer is Leo’s new best friend though.”

Mason lifted a brow, then sucked on his lower lip.

The fucker better not say a word. I glared at Mason. “Yeah, your brother is a great guy. I like hanging out with him.” I ate some fries and washed them down with my iced tea. This was so fucking awkward.

“Hey.” Axel slapped at my forearm.

I startled. “What?” My heart slammed into my ribcage. Did he know? Was he here to fuck with me?

“Did you hear about Leo’s new woman?” He lifted his brows, his eyes twinkling. Tapping the table and leaning in, he said, “He dated this hot chick last night. It was their first date, and he was out all night with her. Think he got laid.” Axel snorted, then popped a few fries into his mouth.

“Jesus, Axel. Do you always have to go there?” With tsk and a soft chuckle, Caleb ate a bite of his burger.

“Well why not? The poor guy had a dry spell for a while and I’ve never seen him so happy after a date before.” Axel pulled his burger out of his bag.

Heat crept through my chest. Surely it was me Axel was talking about. Leo wouldn’t have gone out on a date after he left my house, right? But he left my place around ten. That didn’t count for being outall nightlike Axel had said. “Um, what time did he get home?”

Axel shrugged. “I don’t know, eleven maybe? Which is late for him on a work night.” After swallowing down his food, he said, “Leo said this girl was built.” He set his burger down and cupped his hands in front of his chest as if holding large breasts.

Sipping his drink, Jonah sprayed iced tea across the table. “Shit, that’s hilarious.” He cackled, holding the back of his hand to his mouth.

Mason’s jaw dropped. “But I thought Leo was with?—”

“Yeah, Leo told me all about it.” I kicked Mason’s shin under the table and shot him a quick glare, then focused on Axel.

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