Page 58 of Cross the Line

“Come on, don’t you remember how he used to follow you around like a puppy when he was a kid. ‘Can I sit next to Theo? Can I come if Theo is coming?’” Jason pitches his voice high and while Alec knows he’s teasing, the reality hits too close to home. “Remember that time?—”

“Shut the fuck up,” Alec snaps, afraid his heart might damn well explode in his chest. Jason smirks, but Theo’s gaze does the most unexpected thing and softens, as if he feels sorry for Alec. That is one thousand percent worse than the embarrassment. Alec would rather die a thousand deaths than have Theo pity him for being a pathetic lovesick fool. Which, incidentally, is exactly why he can’t ever let on that he definitely never got over his crush.

Jason looks delighted, always happy for a chance to embarrass Alec. Theo looks, well, Alec’s not sure. Confused, maybe, or surprised. It’s not like it’s a secret Alec had a crush on him. If Jason actually knew Alec never got over it, knew how much it hurt, he probably wouldn’t tease. But he doesn’t know and Alec would rather keep it that way. Jason might be his brother, but he’s Theo’s best friend, and Alec never wanted to test where his loyalty lies if given a choice.

The last thing he needs is Jason or Theo realizing that Theo was responsible for Alec's sexual awakening. He would never live it down, and it's not like his brothers need any more ammunition to tease him. Besides, he’s pretty sure that would make Theo run for the hills. Again.

“So what are you two doing after this?” Alec says a bit too loudly, trying to keep the conversation in safer territory.

“Not sure. You wanna hit the club again?” Jason asks Theo. “Last weekend was pretty fun.”

“You say that because you got three numbers.”

“To be fair, one of the guys wanted help with his plumbing. Though why he thought I could help him is—oh wait.”

Alec can’t help but laugh, hard enough that his stomach hurts. The harder he laughs, the more impossible it seems to stop, and then Theo joins in and Jason grumbles while trying not to smile.

“Not all of us are all stocked up on queer pickup lines, you assholes. I can’t believe you guys are ganging up on me like this. My best friend and my brother, laughing at my innocence.”

“You’re not innocent. You’re just oblivious as fuck,” Alec says.

Jason turns to Theo. “Am I oblivious?”

“We love you,” is all Theo says, patting Jason’s back.

“Yeah, yeah, nice way of showing it.” Jason crosses his arms but doesn’t look remotely put out, his even-tempered personality almost impossible to ruffle. “So, club tonight?”

Alec’s right hand sneaks into his pocket, withdrawing a piece of gum. Maybe he’s supposed to quit, but there’s nothing else to bite right now and he can feel that unease crawling up his skin as he waits for the answer.

“Yeah, sure.”

Sad. It makes Alec sad.

“You should come with us,” Jason says. “Celebrate your big win.”

“You’re inviting me clubbing with you two?” Alec asks.

“Well, you’re finally legal. Unless you’ve got other plans.”

Theo rocks on his feet. “I’m sure Alec has other plans. He's a popular guy. He’s got to have better things to do than hang around with us boring old guys.”

“Speak for yourself.” Jason frowns. “I’m not boring or old.”

Alec chews his gum with such force his jaw aches, his gaze resting on Theo. He can’t tell if Theo was offering him a way out or trying to get him not to come. The smart thing to do would be head back to his apartment and catch up on sleep before classes start Monday or maybe play some video games with his friends. He’s getting better at blowing things up. Hell, there are half a dozen things he could do that would be a better choice than going to a club with his big brother and his crush while suffering through watching people flirt with Theo.

Unfortunately, Alec’s brain is amped up on endorphins and jealousy and he makes the stupid fucking choice.

“I could come.”

“See.” Jason grins at Theo. “Alec wants to hang with us. We’re still cool.”

“Fair warning, no one will pull anyone while I’m around. I’m too handsome. You two won’t stand a chance.”

“Aw, baby Alec is all grown up,” Jason says, throwing an arm around Alec’s shoulders. “Make sure you bring your ID. They’re gonna take one look at that baby face and wonder if it’s fake.”

“Not all of us are hairy as a lumberjack,” Alec shoots back.

“Alec’s just jealous because he can’t grow a beard,” Jason tells Theo, pushing Alec’s hood off before messing up his curls. “This beautiful head of hair is all he’s got. Do you remember how he was almost bald until he was two?”

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