Chapter 12
TWELVE
COLTON
Why was I so nervous about Tex meeting Evan?
It wasn’t as if they wouldn’t get along.
They were both elite athletes. I stood at the Coach House bar in Scottsdale, a rustic and mostly outdoor venue with a ton of lights strung across the bar’s ceiling and the hand-hewn poles holding up the patio’s overhang.
“I think you can have one more beer and drive.” After sipping my beer, I set it on the wooden bar top and hitched onto a metal barstool.
We’d been lucky to find three empty spots at the bar, and in the corner even, so when Evan arrived, we could all face each other.
Many people packed the place. My heart froze as my gaze landed on Evan, making his way through the crowd.
Evan strutted toward us in a white hoodie and black leather jacket. “Hey.” With a wide smile, he stretched his hand to Tex. “You must be Tex.” A purplish bruise showed under his left eye.
“I am.” As he shook Evan’s hand, he offered a warm grin. “You played well out there tonight.”
“Thanks. Took a little beating, but that’s typical.
” He turned to me, wrapped me in a bear hug, and squeezed.
“Colton, my man. I’m so happy you came to the game.
” He freed me and patted my head. “I think you were a good luck charm. I might have to give you tickets to every home game from here on out.”
Him and his superstitions. “I have studying and tutoring to do.” With a smile, I said, “Tex, have another beer.”
Travis’s brows shot up. “Tex?”
“That’s your name, isn’t it?” Evan bellied up to the bar and flagged down the bartender. “Here, I’ve got this one. What are you drinking?”
“Just get me a Bud Light.” He snickered. “It’s mostly water and I’m driving.”
“Yeah? Okay.” Evan ordered an IPA for himself along with Tex’s beer. “I’m within walking distance and tonight is a celly, so I’m drinking whatever I want.” He glanced at me. “How about you, Colton? Would you do a shot of tequila with me?”
“Um…” This was supposed to be my last beer. “I don’t know.” I sank my teeth into my lower lip.
“Go ahead, Colton. Have a shot with your buddy.” Tex patted my arm. “It’ll be fun to see you a little tipsy.”
“Fine.” One couldn’t hurt and I’d paced myself tonight. I swiveled my stool toward the bar as Evan ordered the shots.
Evan passed Tex his beer and then took a barstool next to mine, but around the corner, allowing us to see each other while we chatted. “You want lime and salt with your shot?”
I glanced at Tex, who gave me a wry grin. He was enjoying watching me let loose. I could tell. “Nope, I’ll take it the same as you.”
“Good.” He slid a shot toward me. “Let’s drink to Colton finally having a boyfriend.”
My mouth dropped. Through my teeth, I said, “Evan.” Why did he say that with Tex standing right here?
Tex’s smile reached his eyes as his gaze met mine. “Soon enough, Colton. After this semester?”
“Oh, see?” Evan held his glass up. “Tex has big plans for you.”
“Stop.” As heat flashed through my cheeks, I tapped my glass on his and slammed it, the burn gliding down my throat. As I set the empty shot glass on the bar top, I coughed. “Fuck.” I hadn’t drunk a shot in a long time. Maybe not since…shit, don’t think about it.
Tex patted my back, leaned in close and then, in a low voice, said, “You will be my boyfriend someday, Colton.”
As my heart flickered with warmth, I cut my gaze to his. He was so close, and it had proved difficult to abstain from touching him or kissing him all night.
“Go ahead and kiss. No one will care around here.” Evan pushed the back of my head.
My lips brushed Tex’s, and I gave in. I couldn’t stop myself. Grabbing his cheeks, I claimed him in a hungry kiss, desire burning low in my gut. Fucking hell, I was falling so hard and fast for him.
Tex’s lips yielded to mine, and a low groan rumbled from his throat. As the kiss broke, his eyes darkened. “You kissed me in public.” His attention drew to Evan. “Thanks, man. I’ve been wanting that all night.”
Huffing a laugh, Evan said, “You got it. I love this guy, and I haven’t seen him this happy in a long ass time.” He pushed both of our empty glasses toward the back of the bar top.
“Really?” Tex’s gaze softened. “That’s good to hear. I’m doing my best.” He drank from his beer bottle.
Evan was about to spill all my secrets, the bastard. I should change the topic of this conversation. “Hey, you’ve got a little shiner there.” I pointed at the bruise under his eye.
“Yeah, well, the guy had it coming. He’d been chirping at me all night. And then he said some—” He clenched his jaw. “—some shit about my old roommate, Lucas and I lost my mind.”
“About Lucas? Lucas Hopkins?” Tex quirked his brow. “Like what?”
“It’s not worth repeating. Let’s just say it was bigoted. There are still some bigoted assholes in hockey.” He took a few gulps of his beer. “Football is better, isn’t it?”
Tex shifted in his chair. “I had four queer buddies I started out with at ASU. They’re all in the NFL now and out with their partners.
I haven’t heard of any problems from them, but I’m sure it happens.
Maybe behind their backs.” He flicked a peek at me.
“I heard it in high school, but my parents always supported me. I think it gave me the confidence not to care as much.” He wrapped his hand in mine, resting on the bar.
“Yeah? Well, I’m sure Colton’s told you about his dad. He’s one of those bigots.” Evan shook his head. “You’ve told him about your dad, right?”
“I have.” I slid my finger across the condensation on my beer glass. “It doesn’t matter.” He might never know about me. Not if I could help it.
“Colton has told me some.” Tex narrowed his eyes at Evan. “My roommate is going through a situation with his father. He thinks his dad would disown him if he found out about him.” He inhaled and narrowed his eyes further. “Do you think Colton’s dad would do that?”
Clicking his tongue, Evan glanced at me. “I don’t know if he’d go that far. He’d be unhappy, that’s for sure.”
“When I called the help center, they told me about PFLAG.” I drank some beer as the buzz from the shot hummed through my head, loosening my words. “I don’t think he’d be willing to try that.”
“What’s that?” Evan’s gaze cut to me.
“It’s a support group for the parents of LGBTQ people. It helps the parents accept their kids by meeting with other parents who’ve gone through it.” Tightness wove through my chest. No, my dad would laugh if I mentioned it.
Tex leaned in close and slid his arm across my shoulders. “Let’s just focus on you for now, okay?”
I forced a smile at him. “Yeah.” I relaxed against his side. It was so comforting to be near him. But I had wanted no public displays of affection. Oh, fuck it. No one knew us here.
“How long have you known Colton?” Tex ticked his brows and smirked.
“I think we met in elementary school. Maybe second grade? I think that’s when we had our first class together, right? Ms. Burns’s class?” Evan set his forearm on the bar as he swiveled to face me.
“Yes, that’s right.” My mother had still been alive. As I sipped my beer, a warm ache glided across my heart. I’d divided my life into three sections—before Mom was sick, when Mom was sick and after…fuck. I swallowed a lump in my throat.
“I played a lot of hockey, but when I wasn’t in the rink, I was hanging out with this guy.” Evan squeezed my thigh. “He kept me out of trouble.”
“Yeah? So, Colton wasn’t a troublemaker when he was younger?” Tex kissed my cheek.
“Tex…” We should stop with the public affection. Clearing my throat, I straightened.
“What’s the matter, Colton? You can’t seriously think anyone around here will care if you two are together. There’s a gay bar down the damn street.” Evan scoffed a laugh.
“What? There is?” Tex’s eyes lit. “I rarely come up here, so I didn’t know.”
“Yeah, it’s right around the corner. I guess it used to be a popular bar for alternative music in the nineteen eighties.” Evan sipped his beer and then chuckled. “They still have an eighties night.”
“Really…any karaoke?” Tex arched a brow.
“I don’t know, probably.” Evan leaned back. “It’s not like I go there. I heard about it from Lucas. He’s gone there with his partner, Ezra.”
“We may have to branch out and try it.” Tex bit his lower lip. “Would you be open to that? I mean, once the semester is over.”
I choked on a laugh. “Tex, once the semester is over, we can visit the gay bar in Tempe.” I shut my mouth. Was I really considering this? I’d never been to one. Oh hell, what could it hurt. For whatever reason, I wanted to try things with Tex.
“Damn, Colton. You’ve come a long way since you met Tex.” He waggled his brows while drinking his beer.
“He’s coming out of his shell.” Tex squeezed me into his side. “And I’m here for it.” His eyes widened. “I mean, there was nothing wrong with you before—”
“I know, stop it.” Shaking my head, I tsked. “Can we talk about something else now?” I should have known I’d be the topic of conversation between them. I was what they had in common, but damn.
“Like what, sports?” Evan focused on Tex. “Who do you think will win the Super Bowl?”
“Too soon to tell, but the Niners are showing promise. As long as they don’t have too many injuries…” Curling the edge of his lips, he glanced at me. “My buddy Eli just got signed with them last year. He’s a linebacker.”
“No shit? Eli Dawson?” Evan patted my arm. “You’re in good company, Colton.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Smiling through a huff, I shook my head and then drank my beer.
It had been amazing spending time with my two favorite people and letting my guard down with Tex at the bar.
The tequila had probably helped. But right now, I would give Tex everything.
After parking at my apartment, I strolled alongside him to the stairs leading to my door.
“I enjoyed your company so much tonight.” I stuffed my hands into my pockets.