Chapter 10
The next day, I sat at the Five Guys hamburger joint on campus next to Jonah and across from Mason, eating the most delicious and juicy burgers around. I sipped iced tea from a straw in my cup. We were in between classes and hadn’t had time for a healthier meal at home. One burger wasn’t going to ruin me.
“So, Mason tells me you had Leo over in your room last night?” Jonah plucked a fry out of his white paper bag and stuffed it in his mouth.
“Yes, I did.” My gaze wound out the window next to us, the sun pounding the brick walkway next to Mill Avenue, students strolling by with backpacks slung over their shoulders, some on skateboards and others riding bikes.
“So, you’re not just friends, I take it?” Hooking a brow, Jonah focused on me.
I had nowhere to hide now. “No, we’re not just friends. We hooked up last night.” I bit into my burger, then set it on a paper napkin. If Leo was going to be spending time at my place, they needed the truth. “Look, he’s not out to his friends and family. He’s?—”
“Still figuring his shit out?” He tutted. “Seems to me if he’s hooking up with you, he’s already figured his shit out.” He glared at me and pointed his finger in my face. “And don’t try to tell me last night wasn’t a date. You lied to me.”
Gaping, I blinked at him. “I’m, I’m sorry. I didn’t know what to say.” That was a shit move on my part. “Well, now you know.” I ate another bite of burger. Lying was never the answer. I knew better, but fuck. I didn’t know where things were headed with Leo, and I’d wanted to be sure before I said anything.
“Dudes, no fighting over guys. We’re a team, remember? The squad.” Mason planted his elbow on the table and held his fist up high. “Come on.”
“The squad.” I palmed his fist. These guys were the best.
“The squad.” With a huff, Jonah placed his palm over my hand.
The front door of the diner opened and a guy with a black head of hair strutted in, wearing a Sex Pistols t-shirt and black skinny jeans. He ripped his sunglasses off his face and looked around with a grin stretching his mouth.
Hanging my head, I said, “Oh, shit.” It was Axel, Leo’s brother. I knew he was still going to school here, but shit. Didn’t think I’d be running into him the day after I’d hooked up with Leo.
Another man strolled in behind Axel with lighter hair, but cut in a similar fashion, long bangs hanging down the side of his face. Caleb, the bass player from the band.
Jonah tagged my shoulder. “Hey, what’s up?”
“See those two guys?” I glanced their way as they sauntered to the ordering counter. “Look, but don’t stare at them.”
“Hey, yeah, they look familiar. Aren’t they in the band we went to see a few weeks ago? What was it, Knot Me?” Mason’s attention drew to them.
“Don’t stare at them,” I hissed and slapped his forearm, resting across the table. Maybe Axel and Caleb would take their food to go and not notice us. It was too weird knowing I was dating his brother, and his brother wasn’t out.
As I snuck a glance at Axel, his gaze caught mine and his grin widened. Shit.
Axel tapped Caleb on the arm and pointed our way. After the guy at the counter handed them their orders in white baggies, they filled their drink cups at the soda machine and walked our way, Axel saying, “What a surprise.” He landed his hand on my shoulder. “Archer, my brother’s new bestie.” He ticked his head at Jonah and Mason. “And I see we’ve got part of the squad here?”
“Yeah, I’m Mason and this is Jonah.” Mason, beaming at Axel, held out his hand.
Axel shook his hand. “This here is Caleb, bass player extraordinaire and new IT guy over at American Express HQ down the street.”
“Hey, nice to see you all again.” Caleb shook everyone’s hand in turn.
“Mind if we join you?” Axel slid in next to Mason and set his food and drink on the table.
“Uh, no.” Mason looked Axel up and down, then licked his lips.
Caleb grabbed an open chair and swung it around, then sank into it at the end of our table. “Axel’s not one to wait for an invitation.” Shaking his head, he chuckled.
“He can sit next to me anytime.” Mason gave Axel a coy smile. “Or on me.” He wagged his brows at Axel.
“Axel has a boyfriend, Mason. Cool yourself.” I huffed. Hadn’t I told him that already? This was not good. I hoped my friends, especially Mason, could keep their traps shut about me and Leo.
Axel tongued his upper lip. “But if I didn’t have a boyfriend, you’d be on the menu.” He bumped his shoulder to Mason’s.
“Well, let me know if something goes awry in that department.” Mason sipped his iced tea from his straw, ogling Axel.
“That won’t happen. Axel’s been in love with Remy since he was born.” Caleb barked out a sharp laugh.
“Remy…So, Axel’s dating Remy and Remy is the guy Leo brought to our game?” Jonah knitted his brows.
“Yeah, Remy is…was Leo’s best friend.” Axel’s gaze cut to mine, and he gave me an open-mouthed smirk. “I think Archer is Leo’s new best friend though.”
Mason lifted a brow, then sucked on his lower lip.
The fucker better not say a word. I glared at Mason. “Yeah, your brother is a great guy. I like hanging out with him.” I ate some fries and washed them down with my iced tea. This was so fucking awkward.
“Hey.” Axel slapped at my forearm.
I startled. “What?” My heart slammed into my ribcage. Did he know? Was he here to fuck with me?
“Did you hear about Leo’s new woman?” He lifted his brows, his eyes twinkling. Tapping the table and leaning in, he said, “He dated this hot chick last night. It was their first date, and he was out all night with her. Think he got laid.” Axel snorted, then popped a few fries into his mouth.
“Jesus, Axel. Do you always have to go there?” With tsk and a soft chuckle, Caleb ate a bite of his burger.
“Well why not? The poor guy had a dry spell for a while and I’ve never seen him so happy after a date before.” Axel pulled his burger out of his bag.
Heat crept through my chest. Surely it was me Axel was talking about. Leo wouldn’t have gone out on a date after he left my house, right? But he left my place around ten. That didn’t count for being out all night like Axel had said. “Um, what time did he get home?”
Axel shrugged. “I don’t know, eleven maybe? Which is late for him on a work night.” After swallowing down his food, he said, “Leo said this girl was built.” He set his burger down and cupped his hands in front of his chest as if holding large breasts.
Sipping his drink, Jonah sprayed iced tea across the table. “Shit, that’s hilarious.” He cackled, holding the back of his hand to his mouth.
Mason’s jaw dropped. “But I thought Leo was with?—”
“Yeah, Leo told me all about it.” I kicked Mason’s shin under the table and shot him a quick glare, then focused on Axel.
“Fuck, that hurt.” Mason leaned down and rubbed his shin.
“Oh, so you know about Angie? Have you met her?” Axel ate a big bite of burger.
With a glance at Mason, I rubbed my forehead. “Yeah, I know about her, but I haven’t met her yet.” Fuck, now I was lying to Leo’s brother. This was so not cool.
Mason stared at me, shook his head, then chomped off the end of a fry.
“What did he tell you about her?” Axel drank his drink.
“I don’t know, not too much.” I worried my lower lip. Shit, I had no idea what Leo would have said and if our stories didn’t match, Axel might figure something out. I forced a smile. “In fact, he didn’t say anything about her, just her name and that he had a date.” I gulped down my drink. This conversation needed to be over.
“So, Axel, when are you guys playing next?” Jonah, gave me a pointed look.
“Oh, in two weeks. We’re playing the bar at Talking Stick casino. Should be a good time.” He bumped into Mason’s side. “You should come.”
“I think we have an away game that weekend,” Mason said, furrowing his brows.
“Too bad.” Axel turned his gaze on me. “I heard you’re trying to steal my Remy away for another hockey game tonight.”
“Yeah, I invited Leo to another one and got him tickets for tonight’s game.” I met his gaze. Would Axel let Remy go and if not, would Leo come by himself maybe? He’d said to get the tickets and it was nice having him there when I played. For whatever reason, I played better.
Axel patted my shoulder. “Well, I told Remy he could go. I have some practicing to do anyways. We’re learning a new song.”
With a scoff and a shake of his head, Caleb said, “And in practice last week you almost ripped my eardrums out with that fucking solo.”
“Oh, be quiet. At least it wasn’t as bad as Silas’ weak attempt.” Axel snickered.
“Yeah, whatever. Just get it down.” Caleb stuffed some fries into his mouth.
Jonah crumpled up his bag. “Anyways, I have to get to back to class.” He flashed his eyes at me.
“Yeah, me, too.” I grabbed up my bag.
“Me, three.” With a sigh, Mason crushed his bag.
“Oh, okay. Well, nice talking to you guys. Good to know there’s a queer contingent on the hockey team here at ASU.” Axel slid out of the bench seat and stood up.
Mason shimmied his way out of his seat and threw his backpack on while Jonah and I did the same. I turned to Axel. “We planned that, by the way.” I lifted my chin. “It took hard work and bit of finagling from our parents, but I think we’re showing the older generation that queer dudes belong in hockey.”
With a sly grin, Axel squeezed my shoulder. “Right on. We need more queer dudes like you all.”
“Thanks. Your band rocks.” Jonah gave Axel a fist bump, then Caleb.
“See you around.” With a wave at Jonah and Mason, I threw my bag and empty iced tea container into a garbage bin and strolled out the front doors onto the sunny sidewalk.
“You and Leo are lying to those guys.” Shaking his head, Jonah grunted.
“I know. I’m following Leo’s lead on this, okay?” I headed down the sidewalk, toward the campus buildings, all in a similar clay color. “I have to, right? I have to let him come out when he’s ready.”
Jonah matched my steps. “I suppose, but it isn’t cool to be flat out lying to people. Especially those guys. They’re such nice?—”
“And probably would be happy for you two. Why doesn’t Leo want his brother to know he’s queer?” Mason stepped beside me.
“It’s complicated and I’m not even sure I understand the whole thing.” I huffed. I didn’t want to talk about this anymore. “Let’s leave it at that, all right?”
“Yeah, fine.” Rolling his eyes, Jonah pursed his lips.