Page 11 of Cross the Line

“I won’t have fun if I know you’re sulking out front in the dark.”

“I don’t sulk.”

“Do too,” Alec challenges, closing the distance between them and jabbing his finger into Theo’s chest. “Get your ass inside and have fun, Theodore.”

“It’s your birthday.” He shrugs in that casual way of his. “I’m pretty sure you’re the one who is supposed to go have fun.”

“If it’s my birthday, then I’m the boss, right? Or the king. The birthday king.”

“I suppose it does,” Theo agrees, “though I’m not sure if there are actually birthday rules or parameters.”

“Rule number one of birthdays: no arguing about parameters.”

“What’s rule number two?” Theo asks, licking his lips.

Alec has to bite back his desire to say ‘give the birthday boy a kiss’. He doesn’t think that joke would go over well given their history, especially since it’s not a joke if it’s what he wants. Age has done Theo wonders. If Theo at eighteen was his gay awakening and Theo at twenty-two had been Alec’s first love, then Theo at twenty-nine is something infinitely more beautiful. He’s filled out, his baby face gone, his body softer in some places and his heart harder in others.

He’s handsome in a way that aches. Alec has spent his entire life comparing other men to him and not one of them has ever held up. He’s not sure they ever will.

“Alec?” Theo whispers.

“Rule number two is have fun,” Alec blurts, giving in to his impulses and grabbing Theo’s wrist. He gives it a tug, heart thundering in his chest when Theo doesn’t resist.

“Alright, Alec, just for you.”

Alec pulls Theo to the house, ignoring Riley’s furrowed eyebrows. It’s Alec’s birthday. He can have this one night with Theo before everything goes back to how it was before.

“You done hiding yet?”

Alec cocks his head up, eyeing Riley. He’s had a fair few drinks now, his hoodie removed to reveal his loose tank and strong arms. He looks relaxed and happy, everything Alec should be. His party has been great so far, filled with good music and good friends and Theo. So much Theo.

Despite the people clamoring for Alec’s attention, his eyes had been drawn to Theo all night. Half with worry over him drinking more than he normally does, and half with appreciation for the sight of his broad chest when he’d removed his sweater. He also kept popping up everywhere Alec was and after the third time Theo ruffled Alec’s hair, he’d escaped into the kitchen under the guise of getting a drink hoping no one would look for him.

“M’not hiding,” Alec protests, nursing his red plastic cup like it has the answers to the universe. He dumped the spiked punch out the first chance he got and replaced it with orange juice. With Alec’s ADHD, alcohol makes him even more loose-lipped and impulsive, which is the last thing he needs.

“Sure, and you’re just hanging out in the kitchen, not getting the attention you love and deserve on your birthday for no reason.”

“Fuck off,” Alec grumbles.

Riley laughs, grinning. It’s one of the reasons Alec loves him so much. He might be a year younger than Alec, but his big brother vibes make him seem older than he is. The oldest of five siblings, nothing ruffles his feathers. Not Alec’s boisterous good moods, nor his occasional bad ones. Even Antonio rarely gets to see this side of Alec.

“Dance with me.”

“You dance with me and people are gonna talk.”

“Then people can talk, and if they have something rude to say, they can answer to these.” He flexes his arms. He’s incredibly fit, if you’re into that kind of thing. Alec prefers something softer. Or someone.

”You got a permit for those guns?”

“Sure do, sweetheart.” Riley puffs out his chest before lifting both arms to show them off, dropping a kiss to each of his massive biceps. “They are only used for good, I promise. Now get your ass into the backyard and dance with me.”

The hint of malaise threatening his good mood fades as he lets Riley drag him into the backyard. Jason did a good job. Their Christmas lights are strung up along the fence line and clusters of rainbow balloons hang from the archways. It looks like a cross between a five-year-old’s birthday and a frat party, and it’s everything Alec could’ve wanted.

“Make way for the King,” Riley bellows, guiding Alec into the center of the dance floor. Well, dance floor might be a bit of a stretch; it’s just a series of gym mats Jason dragged out into the middle of the yard, but with the music blaring, people around them dancing and the stars above them twinkling, it’s easy to imagine. The mood is high and Alec can’t stop from smiling, grateful to his friend for dragging him out of his hiding spot. If he’d been left alone any longer, his mood would’ve soured quickly.

When Riley manhandles Alec into the middle of the crowd, his giant hands settle on Alec’s hips.

“You sure you’re straight?”

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