Page 36 of Stick By Me

Remy leaned over. “I’m sure they’re just doing a concussion assessment on him. His helmet hit the ice pretty hard when he went down.”

Play started up on the ice again, with a faceoff deep in Denver’s defensive zone.

“Yeah, I know.” I took a calming breath and drank more beer. Hopefully, Archer was okay and could play more tonight. He’d been playing so well.

As the gameended with a score of two to one, Devils, I rose from my seat and slid my phone out of my pocket. I wanted to see Archer and the plan was to meet up after, but now I wasn’t sure he’d be up to going out. “Hey, I’m going to meet up with Archer.” I’d let Remy drive tonight. “I’m sure Axel wants you home?” I could hope. I tapped a text to Archer.

Leo

Are you okay? Where do you want to meet up?

“Yeah, he does.” Remy followed the students that had sat next to us down our row and to the aisle steps. “So, where are you guys meeting? Maybe I can get Axel to come out.”

“Oh uh, nowhere fun. I-I think Archer just wants to grab some food. They have another game tomorrow, so…” I bit the side of my lip and released it. Shit, I hated lying to Remy, but there was no other way right now.

“Okay. Guess I’ll head home then. Hopefully Axel is done learning that new song.” He stepped up the stairs with me beside him.

My phone buzzed in my hand, and I held it to my face.

Archer

I’m okay, but let’s go to my place. I can give you a ride. Just let me shower really quick. I’ll meet you outside the front doors.

Leo

Sure, see you soon.

Remy gave me a double take as we reached the top of the stairs and headed through the crowd for the doors, the fast-food shops all closing for the night on either side of the hallway. “I can drop you off?—”

“No, no need for that. I can uh, Uber.” With a stuttered chuckle, I skimmed my hand down the back of my head. Fuck, another lie. Why was I lying about it? Why not just tell Remy that Archer was driving me somewhere? Dipping my head, I pressed my lips together. Because I already thought Remy suspected something.

Remy walked out the doors, into the cool evening air, the lights of the ASU campus and downtown Tempe sprawling infront of us. “So, want me to walk you to your Uber pick up?” He rubbed his hands together.

“No, that’s okay.” I waved him off. “I’ll just see you at home later, all right?” I stopped and glanced at my phone. I should at least look like I was calling an Uber.

Narrowing his eyes, he looked me up and down. “Yeah, sure. See you later.” He walked off, stuffing his hands in his front pockets.

“Shit,” I muttered. I should have just told him Archer was picking me up. Why was that so hard? I looked around me and spied an empty bench by the doors, then walked to it and sat down. I had to seriously think about this situation. I wasn’t sure I was being fair to anyone, including myself.

While I waited, I scrolled over my social media feeds for a while, most of my friends posting photos of themselves in bars all over the valley.

“Leo?” Archer strolled toward me, a maroon duffle bag dangling from his hand and his body covered in a black sweatshirt with the golden Devils logo on his chest and black joggers. He filled out his clothes so well.

“Hey, Archer.” I stood up and strode toward him, then planted my hands on his cheeks and placed a lingering kiss on his mouth. “How are you? Are you hurt at all?”

“Naw, just my ego. That fucker Bergman is an asshole. Always plays dirty.” He hooked his hand in mine and turned toward the parking lot on the side of the building.

As I walked beside him, warmth crept through my chest and my heart pattered. Nothing was better than the time we’d been spending together. “So, you don’t have a concussion after the fall?”

“The team doc checked me out and thinks I’m okay. They’re going to do a thorough check before the game tomorrow to be sure, though.” He glanced at me with a smirk. “I’ll be fine.

“But if you’re not, you won’t play, right?” I squeezed hishand, stopping him. “You won’t, right?” Was he one of those guys who would fake not being injured just to play?

His gaze searched my face. “No, if they think I can’t play, then I won’t play.” He cocked his head. “Leo, you look worried.”

“Iamworried about you.” I knitted my brows. “That was a hard hit you took. I can’t believe?—”

“I’m fine.” Grabbing my chin, he pointed my gaze at his. “I’ll prove it to you later.” He ticked up a brow.

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