Page 50 of Stick By Me

“No, really.” I leaned back in my chair and spread my legs out straight, holding the phone to my face. “Tyler, the other D-man even said so. He notices shit like that.” Good ol’ Tyler. He was a quiet one, but knew when something needed to be said.

Leo quirked a brow. “I’m not going to become some sort of superstition, am I? Like are you going to have to kiss your old stickandme before every game?”

“You might.” I blew out a chuckle. “Then I’d have to find a way to take you to all of our away games.”

“And we’d be in hotel rooms together alone at night.” He gave me a coy smile.

“And we’d be naked and only wear the robes if we wanted to.” I glanced at my open door, my cock waking in my joggers. Shit, I didn’t want to be starting this if the guys could hear me.

“And we could fuck like savages.” Leo raked his teeth over his lower lip, his breath catching. “Shit, I have to walk into my mom’s house and now you’ve given me a boner.” He let out a soft snort.

I palmed my solid dick through my joggers. I liked where he was going with this, especially after the display in the damn kitchen. “I can’t wait to fuck like savages.”

“Archer, you’re not helping.” He stood against a stucco wall. “I’m seriously right outside my mom’s door.”

“You started it.” I wagged my brows at him. If only he could come over tonight. No, I wasn’t going to ask.

“Jesus, dude. Close the fucking door if you’re going to have phone sex. Have you no decency?” Tutting, Jonah shut my door.

“Oops.” I burst out laughing along with Leo. “Guess we should save it for tomorrow.” My chest bloomed with warmth as I took in his gorgeous face.

His grin waned. “Yeah, I’ll meet you over here around two? Does that work?” He scratched his cheek and glanced off to the side.

“That works.” The conversation was ending, but I didn’t want to let him go. I shifted on my bed. What else could we talk about?

“I’ll text you the address after we hang up. My parents live in Gilbert, by the way, so not too far.” He sighed. “So…I should go inside. I’ll see you tomorrow.” He blew me a kiss.

That was new. Fighting off a grin, I returned the kiss. “See you tomorrow. Have fun with your mom.”

“I will. Goodnight.” He ended the call.

I sank into the pillows on my headboard and stared up at my ceiling, dropping my phone to my side. I’d be meeting him at his parents’ house. That would look less suspicious. But we’d probably come back to my place after and spend some time in my bed. Tomorrow was looking to be a good day.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

LEO

It was Thanksgiving Day and I waited at the front window of my parents’ home with my chest squeezing, pacing back and forth, watching for Archer. Axel and Remy were already here, helping set the table and finishing up cooking since I’d been the one to help mom last night. This wasn’t a true meet the parents date, but it sure felt like it. I breathed in a calming breath, the scent of sage and turkey flooding my senses. It definitely smelled like Thanksgiving.

Archer’s Honda SUV drove down the road, then pulled against the curb in front of the house.

I strode to the front door and paused with my hand on the knob. Should I go out there or wait here? What would I do if he was just a good friend? If he was a good friend, I probably wouldn’t be this nervous and wouldn’t be waiting by the door.

Axel walked out of the kitchen and into the front room, drying his hands on a towel, wearing an uncharacteristic black sweater over his jeans. “Look at you. If I didn’t know better, I’d think we were waiting for a girlfriend to walk through that door.” He cocked a brow.

Freeing a sharp laugh and twisting around, I rubbed my hands together. “Oh, come on, Axel. It’s just Archer.” This mightbe harder than I thought. I let my gaze run over the comfortable furniture in the front room, the cream tufted couch and chairs and the tables, rustic wood with white accents.

The doorbell rang and I popped the door open. “Hey, Archer. Come on in.” I stepped aside, fighting the urge to grab him up and kiss him. He looked adorable in his plaid button-down and black pants.

“Hi, Leo. I brought this.” He held out a bottle of Pinot Noir and gave me a warm smile. “I was told this was perfect for a Thanksgiving meal.”

Axel strutted toward him and leaned over, inspecting the label. “Looks good to me. I’m sure Mom will be impressed.” He hooked an arm around Archer’s shoulders. “Let me bring you to meet everyone.” As he guided Archer down the hallway to the kitchen, he glanced back at me and smirked.

What the hell was Axel up to? I strode behind him.

“Hey, Mom, this is Archer, Leo’s new buddy.” Axel freed Archer. “Archer, this is Mom, or otherwise known as Laura.”

“Thank you for having me over, Laura. It smells wonderful.” Archer held out the bottle of wine to her. “I hope you like red wine.”

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