Page 65 of Stick By Me

The red light went off and the whole arena exploded in noise.

“Fuck! Holy fuck, you guys!” I hopped up from the bench and looked at the team, all jumping up and down with broad smiles, slapping each other’s backs. Even Coach Patterson looked happy for once.

Mason and Jonah hugged each other with the others climbing on top of them.

God, what I’d give to be out there right now. I glanced at the clock. Two minutes and some change left. Plenty of time to even up the score. But for now, we were ahead by one. I looked up at the camera pointed at me from the top of the glass and smiled, then waved. That was for Leo. I knew he was watching. My heart flooding with warmth. God, I loved that man. There was no other way to describe the feelings I had after he’d given all of himself to me.

After the game,showers, and a team snack that was more like a meal, I headed down the hallway holding my duffle with Jonah by my side. “So, gay bar?” I tagged his shoulder. We’d wonagainand celebrating was definitely in order.

“Hell yes. It’s been too long since I’ve had a quickie in a bathroom stall.” He wiggled a brow at me. “But hey.” He grabbed my shoulder, stopping me. “I gotta ask. Have you heard from your dad?”

With a huff, I shifted my stance. “No, I haven’t heard from him.” God, why now? “I did, however, hear from Coach Dupont again. He liked the way I played last night. Maybe he’ll call again since he seems to have taken a real interest in me?”

“Dude, you need to at least call your dad. Have you even tried?” He wrinkled his brows.

Holding up my arm and letting it fall, I said, “And when am I supposed to do that? While we’re on our way to the gay bar? While I’m fucking my boyfriend?” I tapped his shoulder withthe back of my hand. “How do you think he’ll take any of that after the way he acted when I came out to him?”

“Jesus, dude, chill.” He started walking down the hallway and I followed. “Just, call him when you get to your car. Leave him a message at least.”

“Yeah, fine.” Fuck. I already had to drop off my SUV and get an Uber with the guys to the bar before I got to see Leo. Jonah wasn’t going to let up on this until I did it. So fine, I’d do it, just to prove a point.

After walking to my SUV in the arena parking lot and climbing inside, I held my cell phone to my face and glared at Jonah. “Here goes. If this ruins my night, it’s all your fault.”

He scoffed. “For fuck sakes, don’t let it ruin your night.” He peered out the windshield. “A lot of shit has happened since the last time you both talked.” He turned his gaze on me. “You two need to talk and maybe now with Coach Dupont and the Coyotes giving you a chance, he’ll come around?”

“Yeah right.” With my gut knotting, I dialed my dad’s number, and the phone rang a few times, then picked up.

“You’ve reached Sam Carlson with Duluth Farming. I can’t come to the phone right now but would be happy to call you back, so please leave a message.”

I blew out a long breath as a tone beeped, then glanced at Jonah, my body relaxing. “Hey, Dad, it’s Archer. I uh, it’s been a while and I thought we should talk. A lot has happened.” I smiled at Jonah, who patted my thigh. “I’m being, well, sort of scouted by the Coyotes. Remember the friend of Mom’s, Richard Dupont? Turns out he’s a Coyotes defensive coach and he’s been watching me, and it looks like I’m getting an invitation to their development camp. I could get a spot on the team, Dad.” I pursed my lips. “I hope you can be happy for me.” Should I tell him about Leo? “Oh, and Dad, I met a guy. A really great guy.”

I hung up the phone and stared at it, a slow pain building in my chest. “Jonah? Why the fuck do we care so much about what our dads think of us?”

He turned into me and hooked his arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his wide chest. “It just is, Archer. Let it be. I’m sure you’ll get a call back now.” As he released me, he kissed my cheek. “Onward to the gay bar.” He waved his arm.

After getting settledat a couple of tables pulled together with all the guys along one wall of The Club on Mill, I checked my phone. I’d wanted to meet Leo at the entrance to the bar and come in with him. Then hopefully he wouldn’t feel weird about it. My phone buzzed in my hand, and I held it to my face.

Leo

I’m here at the bottom of the stairs.

Archer

I’ll be right down.

I patted Mason’s shoulder. “Be right back. Going to get my boyfriend.” My chest warmed. We were going to have a great time tonight after beating Dartmouth twice.

Mason took a pull from his beer bottle, then set it on the table. “Go get ‘em tiger.” He growled at me.

“You’re an idiot sometimes, you know that?” With a shake of his head at Mason, Jonah scoffed, then sipped his bourbon.

I made my way out of the growing crowd of men all dressed up for a night out, over the wooden dance floor and past the DJ stand painted in neon colors with a pair of lips and butterflies circling it, then past the long bar in the shape of an L. The bartenders, all buffed and shirtless, were looking good tonight. My gaze flicked to the blackboard behind the bar with all the crazy shot names written out in neon colors. Maybe I’d get a shot with Leo to loosen him up. Couldn’t hurt.

Walking out the front door and past the bouncer, I bounded down the steps.

Leo stood on the sidewalk, his back to me, his ass filling out his designer jeans in the most delicious way and his deep blue, fitted button down shirt hugged his wide shoulders.

“Hey Leo.” I planted my hand on his shoulder.

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