Page 123 of Cross the Line

“Everyone shut the fuck up! He’s coming,” Jason yells, grabbing Theo’s arm and tugging him back behind the door as if that will help.

Behind him is the rest of Alec’s family. His parents came around to the idea of Theo and Alec together quickly once they saw how happy Alec was. To no one’s surprise, the hardest to win over had been Charlie, who had been convinced for months that Theo was gonna freak out and break Alec’s heart.

It’d been difficult at first, but Theo couldn’t even be mad because he understood Charlie’s distrust came from his deep need to protect Alec, especially after his accident. Thankfully he’s come around since then, and the fact that he’s here in Theo’s home helping Theo throw Alec a surprise party is proof.

“Stop laughing,” Jason yells at a group of Alec’s old teammates piled on the couch. There’s so many of them that Theo’s half afraid it’ll break under the weight, but the sight of so many people still here to celebrate Alec has his heart full. “He’s walking up the path.”

“Who turned Jason into a drill sergeant?” Charlie grumbles.

“Shut up,” Jason snaps.

“Someone’s an angry puppy,” Charlie laughs. At Jason’s frown he continues. “Aw, is someone jealous it’s not his birthday? Maybe?—”

Andrew slaps a hand over Charlie’s mouth to silence him, which is lucky because Jason’s face has turned the exact same shade as a tomato, and it’s anyone’s guess whether that’s anger or embarrassment. Theo makes a mental note to plan a bro date, just for them at some point in the coming weeks to check in with him.

Luckily they’re spared further King sibling bickering by Alec’s keys rattling in the front door, which everyone takes as their cue to finally be as quiet as possible while they wait.

Slowly the door swings open to reveal a smiling Alec with Riley and Hunter standing behind him. “Wow, a party! I am so surprised!” Alec announces dramatically. “So surprised.”

“What the actual fuck are you wearing?” Charlie yells at the same time everyone else shouts happy birthday. Theo’s eyes narrow as he focuses in on Alec’s shirt, his own face now matching Jason’s while Andrew starts to choke on his laughter. Alec’s friends whistle and hoot, which makes Theo’s face feel like it’s on fire.

“Like my shirt, Theodore?” Alec saunters in wearing the same well-fitting black joggers he had on this morning, but instead of a loose cotton SLU tee, he’s now wearing a pastel pink cropped t-shirt that says, I love my daddy. “It was a birthday present from Riley.”

“You want to kill me, don’t you?” Theo says. The question is rhetorical. The writing on the shirt might be ridiculous, but the way it fits makes Theo want to drag Alec into the bedroom and ignore the house full of people. The shirt is loose around his throat, his gold chain skimming sharp collar bones and the cut of the shirt showing off a sliver of his belly.

“Definitely not the little death I would choose,” Alec smirks.

“How is it possible that he’s gotten even more shameless?” Jason groans. “Theo, control your boyfriend.”

“No one controls Alec,” Theo replies.

At the exact same time Alec holds up his hand. “Fiance.”

The ring Theo put there this morning shimmers as Alec wiggles his fingers to show it off. Half a second passes before he is crushed in the world’s loudest group hug, his friends laughing and cheering and asking a million questions. Theo takes a step back, surprised to find Alec’s parents staring at him instead of waiting for a turn to hug Alec.

Alec’s dad holds his hand out, but before Theo can shake it, Alec’s mother pulls him into a hug. “You’ve always been part of this family, Theo. I hope you know that.”

“Oh,” Theo croaks, surprised to find he can’t reply from the lump in his throat.

“You’re a good boy. You’ll take care of my son, I know you will.” Then she says something that rocks Theo to the absolute core. “And he will take care of you, too. Both my boys happy? What more could a mother want?”

Theo is spared from blubbering on her shirt by Jason tapping on his mom’s shoulder. “My turn.”

As soon as Jason’s mom steps aside, he grabs onto Theo, hugging him fiercely. “What happened to your plan? I thought you weren’t proposing for a few months.”

“Alec happened,” Theo half laughs, half cries.

“Fucking Alec,” Jason says, hugging him tighter. “I can’t believe you’re gonna legally be my brother.”

“Brother,” Theo croaks, unsure he can handle any more love.

“I just have one thing to say.” Jason pulls back, holding onto Theo’s shoulder with both hands. “If I hear any nonsense at your wedding about you marrying your best friend, I will interrupt that damn ceremony and call bullshit. I am the best friend, got it?”

“No one could ever replace you, Jason.”

“Damn right they couldn’t,” Jason says before pulling Theo into another hug.

“Are we fighting over Theo? I want in,” Alec says, grinning when Jason steps back to leave room for Alec, who folds himself into Theo’s arms, pressing a kiss to the side of Theo’s neck.

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