Chapter 18
Isat in the fucking sin bin, chewing on my mouthpiece, and watched Jonah steal the puck away from the Dartmouth center and beeline it down the ice toward their goal. Fuck, what an idiot I’d been. I’d made a rookie move, lifting my stick too high and smacking their winger on the back. The dude deserved it though. I’d heard the word faggot come out of his mouth at least once tonight. I was sure of it.
Jonah sliced the puck to Mason, who coddled it for a beat, then ran, figuratively, toward the goal.
The Dartmouth goalie leaned over, fixating on the puck, twitching on his skates.
With a quick shot, he slipped the puck back to Jonah, who ran a circle around their D-man in the corner, then slapped it back to Mason.
Mason ticked the puck, and it flew across the ice toward the goalie.
With the left D-man skating in for the save, Jonah tossed himself across the ice and as he fell, the puck hit his stick and crawled across the goal line.
The red light went off and the whole arena exploded in noise.
“Fuck! Holy fuck, you guys!” I hopped up from the bench and looked at the team, all jumping up and down with broad smiles, slapping each other’s backs. Even Coach Patterson looked happy for once.
Mason and Jonah hugged each other with the others climbing on top of them.
God, what I’d give to be out there right now. I glanced at the clock. Two minutes and some change left. Plenty of time to even up the score. But for now, we were ahead by one. I looked up at the camera pointed at me from the top of the glass and smiled, then waved. That was for Leo. I knew he was watching. My heart flooding with warmth. God, I loved that man. There was no other way to describe the feelings I had after he’d given all of himself to me.
After the game,showers, and a team snack that was more like a meal, I headed down the hallway holding my duffle with Jonah by my side. “So, gay bar?” I tagged his shoulder. We’d won again and celebrating was definitely in order.
“Hell yes. It’s been too long since I’ve had a quickie in a bathroom stall.” He wiggled a brow at me. “But hey.” He grabbed my shoulder, stopping me. “I gotta ask. Have you heard from your dad?”
With a huff, I shifted my stance. “No, I haven’t heard from him.” God, why now? “I did, however, hear from Coach Dupont again. He liked the way I played last night. Maybe he’ll call again since he seems to have taken a real interest in me?”
“Dude, you need to at least call your dad. Have you even tried?” He wrinkled his brows.
Holding up my arm and letting it fall, I said, “And when am I supposed to do that? While we’re on our way to the gay bar? While I’m fucking my boyfriend?” I tapped his shoulder with the back of my hand. “How do you think he’ll take any of that after the way he acted when I came out to him?”
“Jesus, dude, chill.” He started walking down the hallway and I followed. “Just, call him when you get to your car. Leave him a message at least.”
“Yeah, fine.” Fuck. I already had to drop off my SUV and get an Uber with the guys to the bar before I got to see Leo. Jonah wasn’t going to let up on this until I did it. So fine, I’d do it, just to prove a point.
After walking to my SUV in the arena parking lot and climbing inside, I held my cell phone to my face and glared at Jonah. “Here goes. If this ruins my night, it’s all your fault.”
He scoffed. “For fuck sakes, don’t let it ruin your night.” He peered out the windshield. “A lot of shit has happened since the last time you both talked.” He turned his gaze on me. “You two need to talk and maybe now with Coach Dupont and the Coyotes giving you a chance, he’ll come around?”
“Yeah right.” With my gut knotting, I dialed my dad’s number, and the phone rang a few times, then picked up.
“You’ve reached Sam Carlson with Duluth Farming. I can’t come to the phone right now but would be happy to call you back, so please leave a message.”
I blew out a long breath as a tone beeped, then glanced at Jonah, my body relaxing. “Hey, Dad, it’s Archer. I uh, it’s been a while and I thought we should talk. A lot has happened.” I smiled at Jonah, who patted my thigh. “I’m being, well, sort of scouted by the Coyotes. Remember the friend of Mom’s, Richard Dupont? Turns out he’s a Coyotes defensive coach and he’s been watching me, and it looks like I’m getting an invitation to their development camp. I could get a spot on the team, Dad.” I pursed my lips. “I hope you can be happy for me.” Should I tell him about Leo? “Oh, and Dad, I met a guy. A really great guy.”
I hung up the phone and stared at it, a slow pain building in my chest. “Jonah? Why the fuck do we care so much about what our dads think of us?”
He turned into me and hooked his arm around my shoulders, pulling me into his wide chest. “It just is, Archer. Let it be. I’m sure you’ll get a call back now.” As he released me, he kissed my cheek. “Onward to the gay bar.” He waved his arm.
After getting settledat a couple of tables pulled together with all the guys along one wall of The Club on Mill, I checked my phone. I’d wanted to meet Leo at the entrance to the bar and come in with him. Then hopefully he wouldn’t feel weird about it. My phone buzzed in my hand, and I held it to my face.
Leo
I’m here at the bottom of the stairs.
Archer
I’ll be right down.
I patted Mason’s shoulder. “Be right back. Going to get my boyfriend.” My chest warmed. We were going to have a great time tonight after beating Dartmouth twice.
Mason took a pull from his beer bottle, then set it on the table. “Go get ‘em tiger.” He growled at me.
“You’re an idiot sometimes, you know that?” With a shake of his head at Mason, Jonah scoffed, then sipped his bourbon.
I made my way out of the growing crowd of men all dressed up for a night out, over the wooden dance floor and past the DJ stand painted in neon colors with a pair of lips and butterflies circling it, then past the long bar in the shape of an L. The bartenders, all buffed and shirtless, were looking good tonight. My gaze flicked to the blackboard behind the bar with all the crazy shot names written out in neon colors. Maybe I’d get a shot with Leo to loosen him up. Couldn’t hurt.
Walking out the front door and past the bouncer, I bounded down the steps.
Leo stood on the sidewalk, his back to me, his ass filling out his designer jeans in the most delicious way and his deep blue, fitted button down shirt hugged his wide shoulders.
“Hey Leo.” I planted my hand on his shoulder.
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 brows knitting. “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 friends were 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.”
A muscled bartender waltzed down to us, and we ordered our shots and some beers.
“So, I wanted to tell you that I called my dad tonight.” I gauged his reaction. “He um, didn’t answer his phone, but I did leave a message and…and I told him about you.”
“You did?” Leo raised his brows. “What did you say? It was a message?”
The bartender set down our drinks and Leo paid for it. “You can get the next round.”
With a nod, I said, “I told him I met a really great guy. And you are.” I held up my peach-colored shot. I didn’t want to dwell on the phone call with Dad. “To winning and your first time in a gay bar.”
With a soft laugh, Leo said, “There have been and will be a lot of firsts with you, Archer.” He tapped his glass to mine, then downed it.
I drank my shot down, my chest blooming with emotion. Could things get any better? “Let’s go sit with the guys and maybe later, I’ll show you my dance moves.” I ticked a brow at him.
A DJ with spikey hair and a shiny shirt stepped up to the stand. Thumping music filled the room.
Snatching Leo’s hand, I tugged him through the crowd, men dancing, and to the table by the wall where the squad waited.
Leo greeted everyone with quick hugs, then hopped onto a tall chair next to me and set his beer glass down. Leaning into my ear, he said, “I have a feeling the whole squad is going to get lucky tonight.”
“Yeah?” I sipped my beer, then threw a grin at Jonah, who was giving me a smirk. “Let’s go show them how it’s done.” To hell with waiting for later to dance. Grabbing Leo’s hand, I brought him to the dance floor and hooked my arms around his neck, gazing into his dark eyes.
Leo pressed his forehead to mine and set his hands on my hips, moving in time with me to the beat, up and down, side to side.
As the song morphed into a faster version of Enjoy the Silence by Depeche Mode, people shouted in the bar and pumped their fists, then crowded the dance floor.
“I love this song.” Leo held me tightly to him, his leg sliding between both of mine, our hips pressing together. He swayed me slowly, cheek to cheek and sang the song into my ear, his voice sultry and gritty at the same time, changing the word girl to boy.
Who knew Leo could sing? Emotions surged inside me. I clung to him. Holy fuck, I loved this man. I never even knew what love was before he came into my life. And now, he was going all in for me.
As the bridge started up in the song with the haunting keyboard melody, he loosened his hold enough to cover my mouth in kisses, his soft lips brushing mine, then pressing harder, his tongue tentative, then forceful.
I slanted my mouth over his and poured my heart and soul into our kisses, our connection, my heart spilling over with love.
As the chorus started up, he cupped my cheeks and sang the verses to me, his gaze darting between my eyes, as if he were saying the words directly to me.
When the verses stopped and only music remained, he pulled my head close, and in my ear, said, “Words matter, Archer. I love you.”
My eyes stung and my breath hitched. Don’t cry in the middle of the gay bar. I’d never live it down. With a nod, I grabbed his cheeks and locked my gaze to his. “I love you, too, Leo.” I sniffled, then wiped the wetness from my eyes. Every time I heard this song for the rest of my life, I’d never think of anything but this moment.
With a wide smile, he kissed me hard, then broke the kiss. “I’m staying the night. I need to be with you.” He swiped his nose, then said, “Remy will cover me.” He tapped my chest. “For now, Archer. It’s not forever. Axel will know and everything is going to work out. I’ll make sure of it.”
I dropped my mouth open. I had no reason not to believe every word he said. “I can’t wait to sleep in your arms.”
Jonah popped up next to us. “You boys look like you’re having a moment. Everything okay?” He wound an arm and me and one around Leo.
Lifting my chin high, I said, “We are having a moment. A very good fucking moment.” I gave Leo a knowing look. “Leo’s spending the night.”
“Is he, now.” Jonah looked Leo over. “Does that mean you’re making breakfast?”
“It does. I hope you’re stocked up with food.” Leo hugged me to his side.
“We are always stocked up. No way to have an empty pantry with all these puck boys in the house.” He huffed out a snort. “We have to keep our manly figures.” Holding his arm over his head, he twirled on the dance floor.
The others joined around us, Ace, Mason, Tyler and Myles.
“What’s going on? Group hug?” Mason wrapped his arms around us from the other side and all of them joined in.
“Damn it, you guys. We’re not on the ice and no one has scored a goal.” I belly laughed. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been this happy.
The music picked up and pounded a relentless beat through the bar. Lights flashed and everyone hopped up and down, swaying their hips, smiling, and laughing.