Page 12 of Cross the Line

“I can appreciate a hottie when I see him.”

Alec throws his head back and laughs, focusing on the thrum of music as he begins to move his body. Dancing is a bit like soccer for Alec, the more his body moves, the quieter his mind gets. It’s all too easy to close his eyes and focus on the beat as he sways his hips and lets go. The only thing that would’ve made tonight better is having Antonio here, but he won’t be back stateside until the day their pre-season training begins next week.

“Damn, King, you got some moves.”

It’s Alec’s turn to puff up his chest. He’s a good dancer and he knows it. Spinning on his heels, he comes face to face with Riley, who is definitely a little drunk judging by his pupils.

“You sure you’re good? People are staring,” Alec says. As close as he and Riley have become this last year, he’s still a straight guy being grinded on by his very gay friend in the middle of a nosy crowd. Not that he thinks anyone here would care about seeing two guys dancing, but a lifetime of having to be careful in locker rooms has affected how much he relaxes sometimes. The large group that had been here when the party started has nearly doubled, and Alec’s not even sure he knows everyone here anymore.

Riley blinks twice, and then smirks. “If they’re watching, we better give them a show.”

Alec’s smile widens. He loves his friends.

Grabbing a fistful of Riley’s loose tank, he tugs him close before a dramatic show of dropping to the floor and then gliding back up Riley’s body. Around them people holler and whistle. Delighting in the attention they’re garnering, Alec does it again, looping his arms around Riley’s neck and practically humping his legs. Riley holds his own, rocking his hips against Alec’s without a care in the world.

They continue to dance, the crowd around them getting closer as they shift from observing to dancing. The song changes to something equally fast and Riley makes no move to step away as Alec continues to dance, his earlier stress all but gone.

“Can I have the next dance?”

“Who you asking, sweetheart?” Riley replies, his hand still on Alec’s chest as he comes out of his dancing haze and blinks at the girl in front of him. Audrey. Aubrey. Something like that. He’s pretty sure she’s friends with Eddie.

“You,” she answers, eyes never leaving Riley. “Unless you’re taken.”

“He’s too young for me,” Alec replies, earning him a curious look from the girl and a booming bark of laughter from Riley.

“Maybe you should join AARP as a dating pool.”

Alec flips him off, biting back a smile at Riley’s laughter as he weaves his way through the crowd towards the edge of the dance floor. It’s not that he couldn’t dance alone, or with one of his other friends, but most of them aren’t as cool with the level of contact Alec enjoys while dancing. That or they’re also queer, and the last thing Alec needs is to lead someone else on. He’s been told too many times that his flirty, tactile personality is teasing. It gets exhausting and he’s not in the mood to play that game tonight.

His sneakers have barely touched grass when strong, warm fingers encircle his wrist and stop him from moving any further.

“Wha—” but the rest of the word dies on his tongue when he catches sight of who it is.

“Hi.”

“Hey.”

“Happy birthday,” Theo whispers, words a little slower than normal.

“You said that already.” Alec grins.

“Oh.” Theo blushes, the light stain of pink coloring his cheekbones. It’s a good look on him. Everything is a good look on him. “You looked like you were having fun.”

“I was,” Alec says, not entirely sure what’s going on or why Theo is still holding on to his wrist.

Theo doesn’t answer right away, licking his lips and staring down at where his own hand is wrapped around Alec’s wrist like he’s only just noticed. He loosens his grip and pulls his hand back, breathing heavy. The rise and fall of Theo’s chest is more noticeable without his usual sweater, especially since his white t-shirt fits him like a second skin. The material clings to the breadth of his wide chest and the small swell of his soft tummy, reminding Alec how much bigger he is. Eyes traveling upward, he takes in the deep V of Theo’s shirt, which exposes the light dusting of hair on his chest. Everything about Theo’s body screams man and Alec can barely bite back a whimper. He is gay. So very, very gay.

“You danced with a guy.”

“Comes with the territory,” Alec smirks.

“I’m bi,” Theo blurts.

“I know,” Alec says, fighting back a laugh. He’s never actually seen Theo drink and it’s kind of adorable to see the normally calm, collected man be so awkward. “I’ve known since you were sixteen, remember?”

“I like men more, though. Men are so sexy.”

All the blood in Alec’s body rushes to his dick and he squirms. That he definitely didn’t know.

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