“Then I’ll fly to Vancouver and visit you every day.”
“That’s impossible. You want to play hockey or hold my hand?”
Niko laughed, and hearing it made August smile.
“The guys in the group chat,” Niko began, watching to make sure August was paying attention. “We have something else in common other than liking men. We don’t have anyone else, so we’re trying to be each other’s family. Sure, Jetty has his dad, but most of us are dealing with our own shit, and it’s nice to have a place where we can be ourselves during downtime.”
It sounded like a fairy tale to August, but he knew if he said that, Niko might actually fight him.
“I lied when I said the group is only for gay guys. The reason I was hesitant to add you is because we had just met, and things can get vulgar. It’s mostly just Park running his mouth, but I didn’t want you to be uncomfortable.” Niko took his phone from his pocket and held it up for August to see once he retrieved the list of names in the group.
“Ryan Bracken, Jason Powers and Detlef Wolf are in the group, so if you want, I can…add you?”
Did August want to be added to a group of guys who sometimes talked about sucking dick? His younger self would have passed out at the thought, but August was feeling more rebellious in his older age.
They couldn’t say anything worse than the nasty shit he heard in the locker room.
“Sure,” said August. “Add me.”
Niko hesitated, staring at August like he needed double confirmation.
“I don’t care if you guys talk about fucking each other,” August assured him. “I draw the line at orgy invitations, but I won’t even complain if there’s a dick pic.”
Niko made a disgusted sound in the back of his throat. “Don’t encourage Blanchard or Park. TheywillDM you that shit if you’re not careful. Ryan learned the hard way.”
If that happened, August had every intention of fucking with them right back.
Niko tapped on his screen for a few seconds, and then August’s phone buzzed in his pocket. “There, you’re added. I’ll remind them that you’re straight so they don’t pester you.”
August pulled his phone out just as a message from the group popped up.
Jin: Does the carpet match the drapes?
Niko: Reminder that Gusty is straight. Leave him alone.
Niko: Park, shut the fuck up.
Jin: Aw, he’s protective of his new friend.
Harrison: Su-jin. Enough.
Jett: Are you guys unpacked? Dad is breaking out the eggnog.
Ryan: Fuck, you guys are having way more fun than I am. I’m stuck doing last-minute Christmas shopping.
Harrison: Then don’t leave it until last minute.
Ryan: Yes, Coach!
Arlo: We’re five minutes out. Étienne almost hit a deer, so I’ll have to change my pants when I get there.
Harrison: Tell him to slow the fuck down.
Arlo: We are literally turning into your driveway. Chill out, cuz.
Sébastien: Do you know how many jokes I can use now that we have a guy with the last name Snow?
“Sorry about them.”
