Chapter 3
Why had I admitted my big secret to a complete stranger? My pulse hammered in my chest as I strode to Delores, waiting outside the cage with Goliath panting inside, his tongue lolling out the side of his mouth. No denying how hot Archer was. Before Remy, Axel would have been all over him. But I was not my brother. I did not hit on guys. Girls, yes, but guys? I glanced behind me as Archer stepped up to us. God, he was gorgeous though. And those muscles…my traitorous dick twitched in my jeans.
Delores chatted with another woman in the hallway, then faced us as the other woman walked off. “Now that you’re dry, how about cleaning a few more of the cages, then do you want to walk Goliath?”
“Sure.” I glanced at Archer. He’d be strong enough to hold the dog back on a leash.
“Great.” She clapped her hands over her chest.
An hour later,we’d cleaned the rest of the cages and Archer held Goliath’s leash, clomping toward the front door as he attempted to keep him from running.
Goliath huffed and strained as he fought the leash, his bushy dark, brown tail wagging.
“I’ve got him, you get the door.” Archer held the leash with both hands, tensing his face.
“Are you sure? I’d hate for him to make a run for it.” With a sharp chuckle, I held the door open.
Goliath attempted to bound through the door, but Archer stomped behind him, slowing him down.
“Don’t worry, he’ll settle down in a few minutes.” Delores called out from down the hallway.
“I hope so,” Archer gritted out.
I caught up to him and petted Goliath’s head as we trudged through the parking lot to the sidewalk on the larger boulevard. “Easy, big boy. I know you don’t get out often.” I glanced at Archer, his cheeks red, the thick lashes surrounding his brown eyes and his angled jawline. Was he tough and raw on the ice and more importantly, did it carry into how he was in bed? Shit, I shouldn’t think like this. He was probably way younger than me. “How old are you, Archer?”
Knitting his brows, he glanced at me. “Twenty-three.”
Goliath stopped at a weed in the sidewalk and sniffed it.
“Oh, thank God.” He huffed a laugh, then wiped his brow. “This dog is a handful.”
“Want me to hold his leash for a bit?” I stepped beside him and held out my hand. I’d forgo watching his thick biceps for a while to help out.
“Naw, that’s okay.” He flashed me the cutest smile, then wetted his lips as his gaze found my mouth. “Can I ask how old you are?”
God damn, how was this guy hitting all my buttons? “What?” I followed him down the sidewalk as Goliath ambled on.
“Sorry, is it rude to ask how old you are?” He strolled to a palo verde tree planted between us and a masonry wall.
“Oh, no, it’s not rude. I don’t think it’s rude.” I pondered the question. Wait a minute. I worried my lower lip. Did he think I was so old it was rude to ask? “How old do you think I am?”
“Um…” He winced as Goliath sniffed the tree trunk, then lifted his leg. “I don’t want to give the wrong answer.”
Shaking my head, I smirked at him. “Fine. I’m twenty-nine.” I rolled my eyes. “I’m not that old. I’m not thirty…yet.” But pretty damn close. Shit, this guy was younger than Axel.
He nodded, looking me up and down, then lurched as Goliath jerked on the leash with a pounce on the sidewalk. “Shit, slow down, boy.” He pulled tightly on the leash. “How long do you think we should walk him?”
“Maybe a half hour?” I jogged to catch up to him. “I don’t think there’s any way we could wear him out. It might take hours.” My stomach grumbled. “And I’m getting hungry.” I was looking forward to having lunch with him, too. And his friend. Don’t forget about his friend, Leo.
“So, you dating anyone?” He flashed his eyes at me, and his cheeks pinked.
My heart warmed. He was so damn cute. He was obviously interested in me. “Naw, not right now. I’ve been finding dates on Tinder, but I think I’ve worn out my welcome there.” I huffed a chuckle.
“Oh, Tinder. So, I guess you date women?” He fell into an easy stride with Goliath and the leash finally went slack.
Strolling beside him, I twisted my lips and took in the sunny day, the cars driving up and down the street, the plazas of fast food and convenience stores lining the other side. How much should I tell him? “Yeah, I usually date women.”
“But you’re not opposed to dating guys?” He stopped and his gaze met mine as Goliath found the base of a palm tree to sniff at.
I scratched my forehead. “I…” Shit, if I told him I wasn’t, I had no chance with him. If I told him I was, would I be leading him on? What did I want? “I’m not opposed to it.” My pulse kicked up. Was I reading him right?
Hanging his head, a shy smile played over his lips. “So, have you uh, dated guys?” His gaze cut to mine.
“No, no I haven’t. Just a few hookups.” I rolled my lips and twisted around, scanning the area. If he asked me on a date, would I say yes? I wanted to, but?—
“Anyways, we should probably get Goliath back now.” He tagged my shoulder and turned the dog around. “Come on, boy. Fun time’s over.”
What did that mean? Had I said something wrong? Maybe the hookup thing bothered him. “Hey, want me to walk him back?”
“Sure.” He handed the leash to me. “He’s calmer now.”
“Yeah, that’s why I asked.” With a short chuckle, I bumped my shoulder on his. “You uh, still want to catch lunch after this?” Maybe he wasn’t interested anymore. My chest tightened. Had I blown it? But fuck, what did I want?
“Yes, of course.” He flashed a smile at me. “Want to head into Tempe Marketplace? It’s close.”
“Sure. Do you like The Thirsty Lion Pub at all?” As my chest relaxed, I strolled next to him with Goliath, his head held high like he was the happiest dog on the planet. It was going to be hard leaving him inside the rescue.
“Yeah, it’s one of my favorite places. Jonah likes it, too.” He strode faster and patted Goliath on the head. “Too bad we can’t take you with us, buddy.”
“I’m sure someone will adopt him soon.” No way could I bring a dog home. Our house wasn’t big enough for a dog this size. He needed a ranch or something. And people who’d be home and not out all the time. I walked on toward the parking lot of the rescue.
After bringingGoliath back and thanking Delores for letting us walk him, I climbed into my white Infiniti G37 and started the engine. The plan was to meet Archer and Jonah over at the pub. Jonah seemed like a funny guy and really knew Archer well.
As I drove out of the parking lot, I called Remy.
“Hey, Leo. What’s up? You done?” Remy asked.
“Yeah.” I turned onto another street with cactus and short trees lining it. “I’m going to be out for a while longer. I’m having lunch with these guys I met at the rescue.”
“Yeah? Okay.” Clinking sounded through the phone. “You found some new friends, huh?”
How much should I tell them? “Yeah, a couple of hockey players for ASU.” I turned another corner. Was Remy just getting to the dishes now? With a chuckle, I shook my head. He and Axel probably decided to leave them for better things. Those two had more sex than anyone I’d ever known. I winced. God, I hated thinking about Axel like that. Gross.
“Uh, hockey players? Didn’t Milo bring a hockey player to the first Gila River Casino show the band did a little while back?” Remy asked, the clanking stopping.
“Uh, I don’t know. I wasn’t at that one.” I pulled the car into the parking lot, surrounded by tall palms and modern restaurant buildings, and spied Archer’s SUV. Why did this even matter? It wouldn’t surprise me if other students from ASU came to see their show.
“Hey, Axel, Milo had a hockey player he was hooking up with, right?” Remy’s voice became muffled. “Hold on, I’m putting you on speaker.”
“Okay.” I parked across from Archer’s SUV and waved at him and Jonah as they stepped out of his car.
“Hey, bro, Milo was hooking up with a hockey player from ASU. Can’t remember his name though.” Axel said.
“Does it matter?” I turned off the engine on my car, watching Archer walk toward me. “Give me a minute.” I didn’t need Archer to hear this conversation.
Archer rapped on the glass of my window with his knuckles.
I rolled the window down. “Be right there. Grab a table?”
He nodded. “Sure, see you in there.” He jogged away to meet up with Jonah.
“Is the guy gay?” Axel asked. “And is he hot-as-fuck?” He snorted.
“Stop it, Axel.” I sighed. Shit, if I told him Archer was queer, how would I explain how the conversation even came up? I might be outing myself. I wasn’t going to do that, and nothing was going to happen between me and Archer anyways. “I don’t know.”
“Oh, well find out,” Axel said. “Wouldn’t it be funny if you were having lunch with Milo’s old hookup?”
“Axel, stop. I’m sure it’s not the same guy. There are a lot of guys on a hockey team.” Remy scoffed.
“Yeah? How many?” Axel asked.
“I don’t know. But I’m sure there are a bunch,” Remy said. “Leo, go enjoy your lunch. I’m sure they’re nice guys. Maybe score some good seats for a game?”
“You want to see a hockey game?” Axel asked.
“With your brother. I know it’s not your thing, lover boy. Me and Leo haven’t hung out in a long time.” Remy breathed in deeply. “Right, Leo?”
“Right.” A smile tugged at my lips. It would be nice to go to a game with Remy and he was right. Since him and Axel had been together, we’d only hung out at home or at one of the band’s shows.
“Fine.” Axel huffed. “Go score some tickets.”
“Okay then. I’ll see you both soon.” I hung up the phone and climbed out of my car, then stretched, looking out over the tan stucco building housing the restaurant. What were the odds Archer had hooked up with Milo? Guess I’d find out soon enough.