Keeping Casey (Keeping Him #1) - Amy Aislin Page 0,15

is wrong with you?”

“That’s not cool, man,” Theo said, shaking his head. He set his barely touched pizza back into the box as if eating something from Britton would mean he was betraying all the LGBTQ+ people in the world.

Stomach curdling, Ethan let the fridge door fall closed and dropped the tub of lettuce on the island with a loud thunk, making Britton jump. It was oddly satisfying. “I’m queer, asshole.”

Sweeping Ethan up and down, Britton’s expression went genuinely confused.

“Think that means I don’t deserve to play hockey? Considering you worked so hard to get me to join the Mountaineers only to find out I’m as gay as a flamingo, I imagine you’ve got a regret or two.”

That, too, was oddly satisfying.

“A flamingo?” Theo muttered.

“You’re not gay,” Britton said with all the confidence of someone who knew they were right.

Jesus, really? And Ethan had looked up to this guy?

Harkrader scoffed, standing up off his stool. “You think he’s making it up just for fun?”

Wait. Harkrader was backing him up? Ethan shared another glance with Theo, confusion and anger making his chest tight.

“I think he’s making it up just to prove a point.” Britton’s contemptuous smile was ugly. How had Ethan not seen this side of him earlier? How was he team captain with this kind of attitude?

“Hey, babe.” Arms came around Ethan from behind a second before Casey’s lips brushed his cheek. “Walk me home?”

Blinking fast, Ethan looked over his shoulder at Casey. Casey, his best friend. Casey, who was giving him sensual puppy dog eyes, if such a thing were possible. The hell was he doing?

“Yeah, come on, Ethan,” Theo said, heading for the back door. “Let’s walk your boyfriend back to the dorms. We can get something to eat at The Bean Bag on the way back.”

The way Theo put special emphasis on “boyfriend” made Ethan pause. Theo knew Casey wasn’t his boyfriend, so why . . . ?

Hold on just a second. Was Casey . . . ?

He had his answer when Casey slipped his hand into his and threaded their fingers. “Come on, babe. It’s a nice night for a walk.”

Holy shit, he was.

Ethan hadn’t wrapped his head around any of it yet when he was led outside into the backyard.

Chapter Four

Casey didn’t let go of Ethan’s hand once he’d tugged him outside. And he didn’t let go as they followed Theo around the side of the house and through the gate, even though Ethan’s fingers were limp noodles in his.

Casey’s own palm was sweaty and his heart thumped against his ribs. What the hell had he just done? He’d gone into the kitchen in search of Ethan after his team had won a round of flip cup, only to hear Cole Britton utter words he’d never be able to take back—queers don’t belong in hockey.

Ethan, chest puffed out in indignation, a growled, “I’m queer, asshole,” had been glorious, getting Casey’s motor revving despite the circumstances.

But Britton tossing Ethan’s sexuality aside like he was swatting away a fly?

Oh, hell no.

Casey had reacted on instinct, giving Ethan a way to prove to Britton that he was, indeed, gay as a flamingo. Not that Ethan needed to prove himself to someone like Britton, a fact that was becoming abundantly clear as they reached the sidewalk. Just that Britton had been so casually dismissive and Casey had acted without thinking.

Which was so unlike him that he was starting to wonder what had come over him.

What was Ethan thinking right now? In the dark, all Casey could see of his face under the occasional streetlight were his lowered brows, lips pressed in a thin line, and taut shoulders. Was he questioning whether or not he’d made the right decision about choosing Glen Hill College now that Britton had shown his true colors?

Would he be grateful that Casey stepped in?

They were walking silently past the house next door when Ethan took his hand back and slowed to a stop. “What the hell, Casey?”

Or maybe not so grateful.

“Um.” His hand felt bereft now that Ethan’s wasn’t in it. Casey massaged the fingers of that hand and said, “I’m not sure?”

“Dude, that was ballsy.” Theo punched Ethan in the shoulder. “To just blurt it out like that? You don’t know who he’ll tell.”

“He can tell whoever he wants.” Hands on his hips, Ethan paced a very small path from one grassy edge of the sidewalk to the other. “I’ve been out for a long time. Besides, there’s a rainbow fucking key chain on