Page 73 of Stick By Me

“Oh, right.” Archer jumped up from his chair and everyone moved quickly around the kitchen, grabbing plates, silverware and syrup.

Jonah and Mason ambled out of the hallway, both covered in sweats from head to toe. Jonah said, “Breakfast ready?”

“Hell yes.” I set the pancakes and sausage on the table and sank into a chair next to Archer, who’d already poured me an orange juice. As I plucked my knife and fork off the table, I scanned over the bunch. They were so close and from all over the country. How lucky they were to have each other. Gaining their full acceptance of me was something I would work on over the coming months.

CHAPTER TWENTY

ARCHER

After breakfast, I spent a few hours lounging in front of the television with Leo while the guys cleaned up the kitchen and retired to their rooms to study. They knew what was coming, the long week of studies followed by away games. I sat on the couch next to Leo. It was late afternoon and about time we said our goodbyes. Twining my fingers in his, I said, “So, keep in touch this week and maybe we can meet for lunch or something?” My heart already hurt, and he was still sitting next to me.

“Of course.” He lifted our hands to kiss my knuckles, his gaze meeting mine. “I’m going to miss you, Archer.”

“I’ll miss you, too.” I skimmed my fingers over his high cheek bone, setting his stunning face to memory. “When the season is over, you’re not going to be able to get rid of me.” I forced a smile.

“Is that a promise?” Leaning in, he pressed a lingering kiss on my lips. “By the way, first thing I’m doing Monday morning, is making an appointment for an STD test.”

Nodding, I said, “Good.” Shit, next time I saw him, we’d be able to go bareback. My dick twitched. “You have to leave me with that, don’t ya.”

“With what?” He shifted his head over the couch cushion.

“The thought of us having sex, sans condom.” I leaned over and palmed his plumping cock through my sweats. “I see you’re feeling the same way I am about it.”

He snuck his lower lip under his teeth, then freed it. “Yeah. That’sallI’m going to be thinking about.” He adjusted himself. “I should um, go put my clothes back on from last night. If I go home in yours, it might make Remy look bad.”

“Yeah.” My heart twinged and I breathed through it. He was coming out on his own time. At least he’d told his best friend. And he loved me.

“So.” He slapped his hands to his thighs and stood up. “I better let you study and get ready for your week.”

I hopped up to stand next to him. “Yep.” There wasn’t much else to say. We’d had the best night ever and he’d spent a lazy day with me. What more could I ask for?

“I’ll be right back.” He sauntered down the hallway, toward my bedroom.

Fuck, I didn’t want him to leave. If I could kidnap him, I would. I paced around the main room, swinging my arms. Finally, he reappeared in his jeans and shirt from last night.

“Okay, walk me out?” With a smile whispering over his lips, he strode to my front door.

I ambled to him, then threw my arms around his neck, my heart aching. “Bye, Leo. I love you.” I nuzzled into his neck, breathing him in.

“Love you, too, Archer.” He gave me a fierce hug. “You need anything, anything at all, you call me.” Freeing me, he planted his hands on my cheeks and kissed me hard. “Fuck, I love you and I’m going to miss you so much.” He stepped away from me and opened my door.

“Me, too.”Fuck, don’t go. I cleared my throat and held my hands tightly together to keep from grabbing him and making him stay longer.

“Bye.” He strolled down my walkway and to his waiting Infiniti sedan.

I drew a deep, ragged inhale. I had to get a grip. I had shit to do, and he’d be there when it was over.

The week was almost done,and I was getting my morning workout in with the guys. Tomorrow we’d fly out to Lake Placid and our game against Cornell. They were good this year, so everyone was fired up about it.

Jonah lay on a bench below me and pressed a bar up with plenty of barbells on the ends, his arms trembling.

Spotting him, I stood at his head and barely touched the bar. Last thing we needed was him pulling a pectoral muscle.

“Dude, don’t you touch the fucking bar. I can handle this.” Sweat dribbled down his forehead and he lifted his chest a bit.

“Then handle it and quit shaking like a fucking baby.” I chuckled. That’d get him worked up.

“Who’s a baby?” Mason strolled by us, wiping the sweat from his face with a white towel.

---