Page 85 of Stick By Me

Axel stepped into Dad’s side and wrapped an arm around his waist. “You were protecting me from yourself.”

“Yeah, guess so.” Dad gave Axel a warm embrace and glanced at me. “I’m sorry if you felt you had to hide your relationship with Archer over Thanksgiving.”

I blew out a breath. “Yeah, well, I’ve been hiding this side of me for a long time.” Now it was out in the open, was I relieved? Only time would tell. The worst of it was over.

“Come here, son.” Dad opened up his free arm and I walked into his other side. “Love you both.” He kissed my head, then Axel’s.

With a slow smirk, Remy stuffed his hands into his front pockets.

I freed myself from Dad. “Okay, well, I’m sorry, but I’ve got to go. A certain hockey player needs me.” I hugged Mom one last time, then left Axel and Remy to talk some more with Mom and Dad. I needed to pack for the trip to Minnesota before going to Archer’s house. I wasn’t leaving his side again.

After parkingmy car and grabbing my suitcase out of the trunk, I rolled it up the front walkway and to Archer’s door. Light spilled out of all the windows of the house and the street and driveway were still wet from the rain. Everyone must be home. I knocked and the door swung open.

Jonah stood in front of me, then stepped aside. “Boy, am I glad to see you.” He waved me in.

I lifted my suitcase over the threshold and left it by the door, scanning the room for Archer, my gaze catching on Myles and Ace in the kitchen cooking. “Where is he?”

“Taking a nap. Practice and finals were bad enough, but this? He’s a mess.” Jonah squeezed my shoulder, taking me in. “How are you? You came out to your family, right?”

“Yeah, I did. It…went as well as I thought it would.” I relaxed my shoulders. “It was harder on my brother. He always thought my parents were saints.”

“Yeah?” Jonah’s gaze cut to the hallway.

Archer padded out in a pair of grey pajama bottoms andswimming in an oversized t-shirt, combing his fingers through his long bangs. “Leo?”

“Hey.” I strolled to him, my chest aching, then draped him in my arms and pressed him to my chest. “How are you?” I stroked the back of his head, and he rested it on my shoulder, his warm arms surrounding my waist.

“Okay.” He lifted his head, his gaze finding mine. “What happened? Is everything okay?” He wrinkled his brows.

“Axel took my coming out all right. But he was pissed off I didn’t tell him sooner.” I glanced around the room, everyone watching me. “Axel decided to show up at my parents’ house, just as I was about to tell them. So, of course he saw their reaction, which wasn’t all that great.” I’d been right about everything. “Axel was pretty hurt.”

Archer pursed his lips. “Shit, really? Why? I thought they were okay with?—"

“They are, now. But every member of a family has their place. Axel was the gay son, and I was the straight son. They said some things…” I rubbed my neck and flicked my gaze to each of the guys. “They said some things that Axel took offense to, and it got a little heated. But in the end, everyone made amends. I think Axel and Remy are probably still there talking things over.”

“Remy?” Archer lifted his brows.

“Yeah, I had to call Remy. Axel was upset. Like, I could see this immense pain in his eyes. He’s never heard anything but support come out of my parents’ mouths.” With a ragged huff, I dipped my head, my chest squeezing. “Fuck, it was hard. I didn’t want him to know. I love my brother.”

“I’m sorry, Leo.” Archer brushed his fingers up and down my arm. “I wish I could have been there for you.”

“No, then I’d have two of you to feel bad about.” I grabbed his hand from my arm and kissed the back of it. “My Mom did say to have you over for dinner, so I can introduce you properly as my boyfriend.”

“Good.” He kissed my cheek. “When we get back, that’s what we’ll do.”

“Hey, speaking of dinner, how about some home-made spaghetti?” Ace held up a wooden spoon. “Have you eaten yet?”

“No, I haven’t.” Wrapping an arm around Archer, I led him to the kitchen island, my stomach grumbling. “I’m starved. How about you, babe?” I squeezed him to my side. For the rest of the night, maybe we’d be able to relax.

“Yeah, I think I could eat now.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

ARCHER

After dinner, we’d snuggled on the couch with a movie and a few beers, attempting to forget all the bullshit of the day, then retired to bed and cuddled in each other’s arms all night. The day had worn us both out. Now, we were at our gate at the airport, waiting to board our plane to Minnesota. It would be a long day of flying and connections, but at the end of it, I’d get the answers to my burning questions about Dad, and I’d have the love of my life with me.

Leo dropped into a blue vinyl chair at the end of a row and ran his hands over his face. “So, I heard from Axel. He had a nice heart to heart with my parents after I left.” He sighed. “I guess I’m glad he’s seeing the truth, and I don’t have to hide anything from him anymore.”

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