I sighed. “I didn’t directly. We ran into my ex, and she and I kinda got into it. It came out that way, but I didn’t say anything to Emma about it right away. I knew she’d heard though.”
Liam chewed his lip. “That sucks.”
“I would have told her eventually. She took it well. She said that to ignore that part of me would be to ignore me. Like, even if I’m not showing that I like men and I’m just in a relationship with her, it’s still part of who I am.”
He bobbed his head. “Guess Mom’s cooler than I thought.”
“I think whenever you’re ready, she’d love to celebrate that part of you. She’s on your side.” I didn’t mention that I waspretty sure she already had an educated guess as to his sexuality. That was something between the two of them. “So, Owen, huh?”
“Don’t fucking tell him,” Liam groaned.
“What have you guys been doing every night? I just assumed that was already happening.”
Liam looked betrayed. “You already thought I was gay?”
“I mean, you’ve been staying with him every night. He’s playing really well. I can read between the lines.”
His face was some color in the beet family. “This is the worst.”
“Nobody’s mad about it.” I shrugged. “That means it’s not a big deal.”
“We’re not doing anything! We just play video games and talk until we fall asleep.”
I puffed out my lip. “Aw. That’s really cute.”
“Shut up! Ugh!” He pouted. “I don’t even know if he’s into guys.”
I twisted my lips and looked around.
Liam tossed a hand my way. “This is the time when you tell me whether he’s gay.”
I held my hands up. “I don’t know! And even if I did, it wouldn’t be my news to share.”
I wasn’t sure Owen himself knew what he was. One time he asked me how I knew I was bi, but he didn’t say anything about himself. I figured my story was relatable. I got shoved into a closet by the older guys on my juniors team with another new guy. It was supposed to be some kind of homophobic hazing ritual, but I ended up getting really turned on by it.
Liam shook his head. “If I stay for more juniors, it’ll look like I’m staying for him.”
“I don’t think anyone will think that.” The thought took hold. “Wait, would you be staying for him?”
“No!” Liam whined. “It’s just . . . I was kind of burned out on hockey. It just hasn’t been as fun. But then I’ve been spending more time with you guys and it makes me remember why I love it.”
I smirked. It would have been so easy to tease him right then, but I didn’t want to shut down a rare moment when Liam was confiding in me. “Then love hockey. I know it’s scary to go for the big thing, because failure sucks, but it’s all part of it. I don’t think anyone’s going to think you’re staying for Owen.”
“Keep your voice down!” Liam hissed, eyes tracking someone passing through the lobby.
At that moment, the elevator doors slid open and Owen walked out, concern knitting his brow. “Oh, look, there he is!”
I waved over my head and Owen’s face relaxed as he walked our way. He stuffed his hands in his pockets as he approached the table. “Hey. Wondered where you went. You good?”
“Yeah. I’m fine. Just woke up early and had to get my wallet out of Royce’s room. Then he crashed my morning.”
Ah, being appreciated by the youth. Way to sell me out for cigarettes, kid.
Owen’s discomfort dissipated more fully and he touched his tongue to his teeth. “How does it feel having this asshole for a stepdad?”
Liam growled while Owen cackled.
Owen was a much more sunny person than I was, but I saw a little twinkle of my dynamic with Emma.
