Page 3 of Cross the Line

“Won’t Alec think it’s weird if I’m the one to pick him up?” Theo asks. He’s hung out with Alec before at almost every King family event and holiday since he was younger, but he’s never done anything with Alec or the twins alone.

“No way, Alec loves you, man. Besides, just tell him I’m busy and offer him food. He won’t care and if he does, just make something up. You’re good at that.”

Theo frowns. “I have no idea if I should be offended or say thank you.”

“You’re just good at not talking about things you don’t want to,” Jason hedges, leaving Theo with the succinct impression he's leaving something unsaid. “So will you do it?”

“You know I will.”

“I knew I could count on you.” Jason claps his hands together and then stands. “I already emailed you Alec’s itinerary and flight info.”

“When?”

“Uh, before I got here. I just assumed you’d say yes, which to be fair, you did.” Before Theo can interject, Jason takes two long strides backwards so he’s standing in the open doorway, ready to bolt. “Just remember, nothing about the party or secret plans. You think you can handle keeping him busy for a few hours?”

“I’m sure,” Theo answers, laughing when Jason practically runs away.

A quick glance at his email lets him know Alec’s arriving via Aeromexico at Terminal three at six-thirty. That gives him barely an hour and a half to get through rush hour traffic and find his gate. With a resigned sigh, Theo gulps down the last of his watery coffee and the rest of his donut before logging off for the day. Looks like he’s on Alexander King duty for the night.

How hard could it be?

CHAPTER 2

Theo

“Stupid fucking traffic,” Theo mutters, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

The city of Santa Leon isn’t far from Los Angeles miles wise, nestled along the coastline it’s a cool reprieve from the traffic and heat of the bigger city

He’s been trying to merge into the correct lane at LAX for ten minutes, but no one will let him over, leaving him to sit halfway in the through traffic lane and cause his anxiety to spike. Theo is beginning to question whether he made the right choice agreeing to pick up Alec. He doesn’t mind the driving part but he’s not cut out for the severe lack of traffic-law-following currently happening. Then again what else did he expect on a Friday night?

He shoots off a text to Alec to let him know he’s running late, but when he gets nothing in response he realizes he’s going to have to park if he wants to find him. This is what he gets for letting Jason arrange things.

Eventually he manages to find a spot at pick up, pulling into the open spot and eyeing every passenger that comes out of the terminal. None of them are Alec and his eyes start to glaze over. He pushes his glasses up onto the top of his head, rubbing his eyes. He’s not sure why he even drinks coffee anymore; he's pretty sure he’s becoming immune to the effects of caffeine. That or the lack of sleep. Probably that.

With a yawn he tips his head back, eyes unfocused as he stares out the rolled down passenger window when he catches sight of the most glorious backside he’s ever seen. Theo might be bisexual but his attraction definitely leans more male. Especially when they have an ass you could bounce quarters off.

Sitting up a little straighter, Theo straightens his glasses and leans on his center console eying the man’s plump backside. His thin gray sweats appear to be hanging on for dear life, the material stretched tight over his thighs and the swell of his bubble butt. he way he’s bent over it’s impossible to see the rest of him, especially with the group next to him with their mass of luggage, but Theo doesn’t need to see his face to appreciate the beauty of what is, unequivocally, one of the nicest asses he’s ever seen.

The family with all the luggage moves on and Theo prepares to appreciate the rest of the guy when he notices his hair—or more specifically his curls. The guy’s hair has grown a few inches since Theo last saw him a few months ago but there’s no mistaking the soft, golden brown hue of them. When he stands he shakes the hair off his face and Theo whimpers, honest to god whimpers, because since when did Alec have a tan like that, or an ass like that?

Unaware he’s being watched Alec stretches his arms overhead, exposing a slim strip of his fit belly and a smattering of freckles. Theo’s watch beeps, alerting him to a spike in heart rate and all he can do is tap at it agitatedly. Of course he’s having goddamn heart palpitations. He just checked out his best friend’s baby brother. He’s not sure what happened to the knobby-kneed, big-toothed kid who used to beg Theo to play with him, but the man standing there outside of terminal three is not a kid. Not anymore.

Somewhere along the line Alexander King grew up and Theo didn’t notice. At least not in the way he is noticing right now. Theo shifts in the driver seat, ignoring the person waving their hands at him from behind him while he watches Alec bend himself in half in an impressive stretch—his flexibility making Theo’s tongue feel too big for his mouth.

This is not happening. Theo did not just check out his best friend’s baby brother a second time. The first time he could brush aside and ignore with a bit of cognitive dissonance, but the second time there was no mistaking who Theo was checking out.

“Fuck,” Theo curses, far louder than he intended, made evident by the handful of people who turn and stare. The only one Theo cares about is the one with the brown eyes. Even after other people look away Alec’s gaze is unrelenting. and when Theo doesn’t break it Alec raises one eyebrow at Theo, who gets so flustered he accidentally honks the horn. Alec bursts into laughter before grabbing his luggage and making his way over to Theo’s car. He tosses his suitcase and backpack into the car before making his way to the passenger side.

“Where’s Jason?” Alec asks by way of greeting.

“Nice to see you too, Alec.”

“It is nice to see me, isn’t it?” Alec grins, both his dimples on full display. Theo’s not sure he ever noticed how much more handsome they make his face. “Is that why you’re here? You win a contest and a few hours alone with me was the prize?”

“You’re so fucking full of yourself,” Theo laughs, his heart rate settling. This is fine. This is just Alec. Little Alexander King who was afraid of the dark until he was ten, and slept with a stuffed teddy until he was thirteen. Theo’s seen him get his diaper changed and take his first step. Hell he even helped Jason and the twins teach Alec how to ride a bike. The ass appreciation was simply a mistake. One that won’t ever happen again. Alec is gorgeous but off limits.

“I am, sadly, not full of anything,” Alec bemoans.

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