Page 66 of Stick By Me

He twisted around with a swift grin. “Archer.” Hooking his arms around me, he hugged me into his chest and kissed the side of my head. “Great game tonight, even with the penalty.”

I freed him and held his hands in mine, then took him in from head to toe. He filled out the front of his jeans just as well. My dick plumped. “Thanks. You look handsome tonight.”

He skimmed his gaze over me. “Look at you, with the sheer shirt and the skinny jeans.” He bit his lower lip. “Damn, those jeans leave nothing to the imagination.”

“Thanks.” That was the plan, wear something a little revealing and drive Leo crazy. A shiver raced up my spine. It was too cold to be standing out here without a jacket for very long. But then, bringing a jacket to the bar wasn’t a cool look. Arizona wasn’t like back home where they had coat checks. “Come on, let’s get inside before we freeze.”

“Sure.” He led me up the stairs, showed his ID to the bouncer and stepped inside, then stopped, perusing the place. “Looks like a regular nightclub to me.” He tilted his head. “Okay, except for the hot bartenders and the guys kissing each other.” He turned his head. “There are women here.”

“Yeah, we get the occasional lesbians, but mostly it’s straight women and bachelorette parties looking for a place where they can relax and not get hit on by dudes.” I wrapped my arm around his waist and pulled our hips flush. “Or maybe they’re enjoying the bartenders and hot guys as much as we are.”

“Archer, I have something to tell you.” His lips twitched with an almost grin. “Is there someplace quiet and warm where we can talk first?”

I looked around us. All the couches in the lounge area were taken, but at least the DJ hadn’t started up the loud music yet. The patio might be too cold. “How about we just go to the bar?”Then I could get him a shot, too. I spied a few open barstools by the wall.

“I’ll follow you.” He squeezed my hand.

I guided him to the empty stools and hitched up into one while he took the stool next to me. “So, what did you want to tell me?” I should probably tell him about calling my dad, too.

“I came out to Remy this morning.” His gaze locked on mine.

Parting my lips, my heart fluttered. “You did?” Shit, he’d been serious last night. “Uh, how did it go?” What if it had gone badly?

“Good. He was surprised-as-fuck, but he understood.” He dipped his head, then focused on me. “He’s been there with my brother. He said he’d help me come out to Axel and my family.”

I snuck my arm around his shoulders and pulled him in for a hug. “That’s great, Leo. I’m so glad for you.” And for us. This was big. “You know I’m here for you, too. Right?” I freed him and cupped his cheeks, gazing deeply into his stunning brown eyes.

“Yeah, I know.” His gaze fell to my mouth. “It feels good to tell people about you, about us. I want you to know that I don’t want to hide us.” Leaning in, he pressed a long, deep kiss on my mouth, sliding his tongue inside to tangle against my own.

“This means a lot to me.” I brushed my thumb over his cheek. Was there more to the story? “Did Remy think Axel was going to have a problem with it?”

“No, but he agreed with me about it upsetting my family structure. Our families have been friends our whole lives.” He tensed his lips. “I don’t know if I’m more worried about my mom or my dad.” He sighed and turned toward the bar, placing his forearms on it. “My dad didn’t take Axel being gay very well at first. He never let on to Axel about it, but I saw it.”

“Yeah?” I set my hand at the top of his back. I couldn’t not touch him now. He needed me and fuck, it felt good to be there for him. “So, do you think your dad isn’t going to accept us?”

“No, I think he will, eventually.” He faced me, his browsknitting. “But if Axel sees Dad having a problem with me, will it cause problems with Axel? And if my mom realizes I might not give her the fairytale wedding with a bride and grandkids and it brings something weird out in her, what will that do to Axel?” He huffed. “Right now, everyone is fine with things as they are.”

“Shit, I never thought about all that.” I didn’t have any other siblings to think about and only one parent to come out to. I kneaded a knot forming between the top of his shoulder blades. “Maybe you need to sit Axel down and have a conversation with him about it first.”

He hung his head. “And tell him how Dad had a problem with having a gay kid? Fuck no.” He shook his head. “I’m ready to take that information to the grave.”

“But if your dad has a problem with you, then what?” I wasn’t understanding his logic at this point. I jumped off my barstool and wrapped my arms around him from behind, resting my chin on his shoulder. “Leo, talk to me.”

“Maybe there’s a way I can come out to my parents and keep dad’s bullshit from Axel. I don’t know.” With a heavy sigh, he said, “I don’t want my brother to find out about Dad. He’s such a self-confident, cocky son of a bitch, and I don’t want to see him change. I love him the way he is. I don’t want to see his fire go out, even by a tiny little bit.” He turned on his stool to face me. “I’ve done a lot of thinking today. I couldn’t put my finger on why coming out to my family bothered me so much. But there it is. I figured it out.”

“You really love your brother and don’t want to him to be hurt in the process. I get it.” My heart ached for him. The situation was way more complicated than I’d imagined. “Leo, we’ll find a way and I’m not going to pressure you.” I forced a smile. “At least we have Remy now.”

“Yeah.” Puffing a breath out of his nose, he said, “And the squad.”

“The squad.” Warmth swirled around my chest. My friendswere the best. “Let’s get one of these crazy shots, okay? We need to celebrate a few things.” I held up my hand to flag down a bartender.

“Which one do you want?” I pointed at the blackboard behind the bar and the rows of liquor bottles lit up from underneath.

“I’m getting the Dirty Boy.” A low chuckle rumbled from his chest. “Jesus, that means something completely different now.”

“It sure does, my dirty boy.” I planted a kiss on his cheek. “I’m going with the Fuck U of A.” I snorted. “I mean, I have to, right? I’m on ASU’s hockey team.”

“That you are.” He hooked an arm around my torso and leaned his head against my shoulder. “My hot-as-fuck hockey player.”

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