Page 16 of Stick By Me

“And this here’s Ace, our goalie, who makes sure we win evenwhen we’re having a hard time scoring. He’s built like a mountain and has reflexes like a cat.” Mason stepped around Tyler to pat Ace on the arm. “He doesn’t talk much, do you, Ace?”

“I talk.” Ace smirked at Mason, his taller and wider frame stretching out his grey shirt. Holding out his big hand, he gave me a charming grin and said, “I hear you’re Axel’s brother.” His brown eyes twinkled at me under his curly black bangs.

“I am.” I shook his hand and released it. “Do you go to the Knot Me shows?”

Ace’s cheeks pinked and he dipped his head for a beat. “Yeah, but I um…” He bit his lip. “We hooked up a few times, Axel and me.”

“Ace, you dog. When was that?” Mason gave him an open-mouthed smirk.

“None ya.” Ace threw a quick glare at Mason. “As in, none ya business.”

Shaking his head, Tyler chuckled and rubbed his eyes.

“I think half of ASU’s queer men hooked up with my brother.” I scoffed. Fucking Axel. Yeah, there was no room for two of us to be out and proud.

“You may be right. We’ve all at least heard of him.” Mason lifted the edge of his mouth, then lowered it. “Hey, I hear he has a boyfriend now?”

“Yes, Remy, the guy I came to the game with tonight.” I picked my beer off the coffee table and sipped it. Would Archer have pointed us out to them? “Remy’s my best friend. Axel’s had his eye on him since we were little.”

Ace nodded. “Figures. I had a feeling there was someone he was really into.”

“Anyways, we’re going to leave you two lovebirds alone.” Mason wagged his brows at me.

“Oh, uh…” I glanced at Archer, sneaking a peek at me and worrying his lower lip. Probably better not to correct Mason. I’d let Archer do it in private. “Yeah, okay.”

They all walked off except for Jonah, who still sat next to Archer. “So, how’s it going? Did your dad call?”

“Yes, he called.” Archer pressed his lips together. “Same old shit.”

“Well, at least tonight he called.” Jonah popped up from the couch, then patted Archer’s shoulder and leaned in, kissing his cheek. “And at least we won tonight.”

“Yeah.” Archer squeezed his hand, then released it. “See you later.”

Nodding, Jonah jogged to catch up with the other guys at the bar.

I chewed the inside of my cheek. Maybe his relationship fell apart with his dad after his mom died. That happened in families. When the glue is gone, they fall apart. “So, what’s up with your dad?”

“We just don’t get along. Never really have.” He sucked in a breath. “Let’s not talk about him.” He gave me a thin-lipped grin. “Puts me in a bad mood and we won tonight. I should be happy.”

“Yeah, okay.” I placed my hand on his thigh and squeezed.

CHAPTER SIX

ARCHER

It was late and I’d spent the last few hours in easy conversation with Leo, the squad checking in with us every so often. But the whole time we’d talked, I couldn’t shake the thought that I didn’t want to be friends with him. Oh no, I wanted to be much more than that. Maybe wecouldhook up and it would be okay? I watched the guys paying their bill at the bar. “Leo, I should probably go. We have to get up early and prepare for tomorrow’s game.”

“Oh, sure.” He drank the rest of his beer and stood up. “I’ll just catch an Uber.” He slipped his phone out of his pocket.

Planting my hand over his, I said, “No, I’m driving you home.” It was the right thing to do. Okay, and it would give me more time with him.

His gaze locked to mine. “You sure?” He peeked at my lips, then came back up. “It’s no problem to get an Uber. It’s not like we’re far from my place.”

“All the more reason for me to drive you. It’s not very far.” I took a step toward the bar and the front door, holding his hand behind me. I didn’t want to let him go, damn it. His hand felt good in mine and something about him felt right. Like when he’d comforted me tonight after Dad’s phone call.

Jonah was the last one still standing at the bar and stuffed his debit card into his wallet, then did a double take of us. “Oh, going home together?”

“No, I’m taking him home.” I stopped and patted Jonah’s back. “See you all there.” I wasn’t going to explain myself. He’d beat it out of me tomorrow.

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