Page 30 of Perfect Storm
Landry would tell him to be nicer, but Riley would tell him to go for it.
“Hey, good news,” Levi announced. “Nate’s coming over with his.”
Aidan looked like he’d just sucked a lemon. “Seriously? How do you evenknowBishop?”
“Are you kidding? He was drafted by the Condors. He and Landry are tight. You should know that, bro.”
“Bro,” Aidan muttered under his breath.
“You’re gonna pry that out of my cold, dead hands,” Levi said.
“Probably along with your neon shorts,” Aidan said.
“Probably,” Levi agreed. He wished he’d worn his brightest pair today, but the ones he’d picked for moving in were justa very standard blue. Not even an eye-searing blue. Clearly, a tactical mistake.
“You don’t like this Bishop guy?” Dawson asked, directing his question towards Aidan.
“I don’tdislikehim,” Aidan said, which was just like him. “There was a practice last year. Let’s just say he got a little enthusiastic.”
“Dude,” Dawson said, chuckling, “you used to be able to take it.”
“I still can,” Aidan complained. “I just don’twantto.”
“That’s why I’m here,” Levi said. None of his siblings would argue that he was particularly good at smoothing anything over, but if he wanted to have a nice chill afternoon, he was going to need to make an attempt.
“What, to protect my honor at practice?” Aidan asked, the corner of his mouth quirking up.
Levi tried to pretend that didn’t sound absolutely fucking awesome. “To keep youupright, bro.”
Aidan looked at him, meeting Levi’s eyes, and for a second, everything else fell away. They weren’t in Toronto, they were back in Michigan, in Aidan’s kitchen, and they were a breath away from each other, again.
The silence drew out, taut and loaded with anticipation. Then Aidan looked away, fingers drumming on his knee.
Dawson glanced between them, curiosity blooming on his face, and it was obvious he wanted to ask, but he didn’t.
Probably smart, Levi thought, because he wouldn’t have known how to explain that away. Or rather, he’d probably say something that was close enough to the truth, because he hadn’t bothered with circumspection in years. But Aidan was trying to pretend like Michigan hadn’t happened at all, so he’d probably get all awkward and self-righteous about it.
Besides, everyone knew Levi was into dudes butnobody, just Levi and Morris and maybe Riley and Landry, knew about Aidan.
So even if he’d wanted to, Levi couldn’t come right out and say,hey, bro, it’s all good, we just made a sex pact, and clearly Aidan’s still thinking about it. I know I sure as fuck am.
“I guess if Bishop’s coming over, I could order some food,” Aidan said reluctantly.
“You mind if I invite my rookie?” Dawson asked.
“Your rookie?” Levi wondered.
Dawson nodded.
“The new punter. Cam Greene. He’s . . .well.” Aidan hesitated and shrugged. “There’s rookies, and then there’srookies.Dawson’s rookie is arookie.”
“He’s from Montana. Grew up in a town of like a couple hundred people. Went to Western State. Toronto’s been . . .well, we’ll say it’s an experience for him.”
“He’s cool, though?” Levi asked.
“Oh, yeah. Yeah. He’s cool.” Dawson looked like there was more he wanted to say, but he didn’t.
“The first time I had him over, he literally spent the whole time staring out my windows and sayinggolly gee, look at that view.” Aidan chuckled.
