Page 15 of Cross the Line

They must have drifted back to sleep because one second Theo’s dreaming about miles of bared skin and freckles, and the next second there’s the god-awful sound of a blender whirring.

“What the fuck, Alec?” Jason bellows. If Theo weren’t already awake, the pitch of Jason’s voice would’ve done it. He groans, covering his ears and shoving his face into Jason’s shoulder. The whirring is so loud it makes his head feel like it’s actually in the blender with whatever Alec is making.

“I need my protein shake,” Alec says loud enough to be heard over the stupid blender.

“Fucking protein shake,” Jason mutters. “Eat some real food. Quiet food.”

“Quiet food won’t have complete protein after a ten mile run, dick face.”

“Did you put the dick on my face?” Jason asks.

“Nah, Riley did. But I asked him to.” Alec’s laughter echoes through the kitchen into the open living room.

Theo tries to keep up with the conversation. He’s pretty sure Riley was the frat guy attached to Alec’s side all night. Tall, dark hair and handsome with gorgeous olive complexion, and enough confidence to rival Alec’s. That’s probably the type of guy Alec likes, Theo thinks bitterly, hating how sour the tinge of jealousy tastes. Yet another reason he shouldn’t drink; it makes him a morose idiot.

“What a beautiful morning,” Alec sing-songs, pulling the blinds open in the kitchen and making the large open room even brighter.

Theo groans miserably, trying to use Jason’s body as a shield from the horrifying reality of day. He doesn’t want to deal with anything.

“Why isn’t Alec hungover?” Theo mumbles.

“Why aren’t you hungover?” Jason yells, rolling onto his back.

The blender whirs and whirs. Theo blinks open his eyes and stares at the ceiling, wondering what the hell Alec could possibly be making that requires running the blender for that long. After another thirty or so seconds it shuts off, though the phantom buzzing lingers in his ears.

“Because I wasn’t drunk,” Alec answers, the sound of his sneakers squeaking on the hardwood, alerting Theo to his impending approach.

There towering above Theo is Alec, who squats down and lowers something onto Theo’s face and, oh, he can see. Everything still hurts, but at least the world isn’t blurry anymore.

“You left those in the kitchen,” Alec says, brushing the hair off Theo’s face. “Take this.”

“Take wh—” but his words are cut off when Alec slips pain meds between his parted lips, moving a hand to the back of Theo’s neck to help him sit up. A second later a glass of water is lifted to his lips and though Theo could do it himself, he pathetically lets Alec hold it for him.

“That should help.” Alec lowers a bottle of cucumber melon Gatorade down on the table. Jason reaches for it, but Alec slaps his hand away, pushing it closer to Theo. “That’s not for you, that’s for Theodore.”

“What the fuck, Alec? I’m your brother. Where’s my caretaking?”

“You got Theo drunk, you don’t get any.” Alec levels Jason with an unexpected glare.

“Theo’s a big boy. He can make his own decisions.”

“Theo doesn’t like drinking.”

“Theo is right here,” he points out, his head hurting way too much to figure out what the hell is happening.

Alec’s expression softens as he grabs the Gatorade and puts it in Theo’s lap. “Drink this. I’ll make breakfast after I shower.”

“You gonna cook for me, too?” Jason asks, half slumped against the couch and looking utterly pathetic.

“Yes, I’ll cook for you too, idiot. I don’t wanna smell you burning the house down.” Alec rises, drawing Theo’s attention to what he’s wearing. Or not wearing. He’s got on a pair of running leggings that are so tight they might actually be painted on, his freckled ankles exposed between the bottom of his pants and the low-cut socks. Over the leggings is a pair of bright purple shorts with cutouts on the side that highlight the curve of Alec’s plump backside. His shirt is a slashed black tank, the sides of Alec’s stomach on full display, and when he turns Theo sees how many freckles he’s got there, too.

Theo has never considered running clothes sexy, but he is definitely reconsidering that right now.

“I don’t burn anything down,” Jason objects, his indignation bringing Theo out of his thirst spiral.

“You can’t even make toast. You’re not allowed in the kitchen.” Alec points a menacing finger at Jason.

“I’m still confused why you’re not hungover,” Theo says, watching Alec’s full lips curl around his smoothie straw.

---