Page 36 of Cross the Line

Alec’s gaze fixes on Theo. “Theodore Taylor James, did you look me up on Twitter?”

“Shit, you used my middle name. I feel like I should be going to the principal's office.” Theo swallows, his Adam's apple bobbing as he rocks on his heels. “What are the odds I can get out of answering the question?”

“Absolutely fucking zero.” Alec cackles, jabbing his finger into Theo’s chest. He knows better than to read into it, but the knowledge that Theo had thought about him at all makes his insides feel all warm and mushy and disgusting in the best way possible. “Were you desperate to look at my handsome face? Did you miss me while I was in Mexico? Oh my god, you missed me, didn’t you?”

“If I say no, would you believe me?”

“Nope.” Alec grins, feeling the same kind of adrenaline high he gets after scoring a goal.

Theo snorts. “And if I say yes, will you let this go?”

Alec throws himself forward, draping himself dramatically over Theo. “Absolutely fucking not.”

“I can’t win with you.” Theo doesn’t sound particularly put out, which only spurs Alec on.

“You will never win against me, Theo. Admit that now and our friendship will be smooth sailing.”

“Are we friends?” The question is so unexpected and so earnest Alec can do nothing but gape for a few seconds. That is, until the words register.

“Are we—holy shit,” Alec groans, wondering how he can be in love with someone so emotionally stunted. “Of course we’re friends.”

Theo seems to realize he’s hurt Alec, his face deflating. The sight of it has Alec softening, his own hurt feelings paling in comparison to the idea of Theo feeling bad.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean?—”

“Yes you did,” Alec interjects. “But it’s okay.”

While they haven’t been close in a long time, Alec still thought they were friends. Apparently Theo didn’t and that hurts a fuck ton more than Alec wants to let on. He spent years shoving his feelings down, hiding his hurt, and pretending everything was okay to get his friendship with Theo back.

“Don’t look so upset, Theo, it’s fine.”

Theo’s sigh is heavy. “You know a lot changed when, well, you know.”

There is no need for Alec to ask for clarification because he knows exactly what Theo means, even if he wishes he didn’t. There’s a buzzing in his ears, his heart rattles in his chest, and his breakfast is dangerously close to coming back up. Never in Alec’s short life has he experienced such a drastic change in moods, his high from a few seconds ago crashing hard and fast. Alec’s entire life flashes before his eyes and it’s not pretty. They are absolutely not going to bring this up. Not over Alec’s dead body.

“Did you know cats shed a lot?” Alec blurts, righting himself. He fusses with Theo’s sweater, needing to do something with his hands. “This is going to be covered in cat hair soon.”

“Cat hair.” Theo looks perplexed by the change of conversation, but he doesn’t try to divert it back. “I feel like you shouldn’t tell me that. Aren’t you supposed to tell me the sunshine and rainbow version of having a cat so I want to keep her?”

“Fuck that,” Alec says. “Look, if you can’t handle her, or she’s too much, we should know now. It’s fine, she’s little and we can find her a good home. I’m not gonna lie and pretend it’ll be easy because that wouldn’t be fair to you or Rio. She’s gonna shit on your stuff and pee on it too until she figures out the litter box. She’s gonna get cat hair on everything you love and she’s either going to be a cuddly angel or an absolute demon. It’s a crapshoot really. You’re gonna spend a lot of money on vet bills and food and you’ll need to catify your place and it might be really hard.”

“Wow.” Theo blinks.

Realizing he possibly went a little too hard, Alec clears his throat and looks towards Rio in the corner, where she’s currently swatting at the curtain like it’s her mortal enemy. Theo’s eyes follow Alec’s, a soft laugh falling from his lips when Rio knocks herself over, looking surprised and confused by the turn of events. She leaps, clinging to the curtain as she climbs halfway up.

“You’ll also get a cat, which is pretty great if you ask me.”

“She’s climbing the wall.”

“The curtain, technically.”

“You and your technically.” Theo snorts. “I remember when you were a kid you’d argue with anyone and everyone over technically.”

“Like I told you, I’m a fucking delight.” Alec knocks his shoulder into Theo’s gently. He can be cool and chill. He can. “Look, I know I was kind of intense, but that’s just because I want you to be prepared and make the best decision for both of you. But the truth is pets are the best. They don’t care about how your day went or how many goals you score or what your GPA is. You don’t have to make small talk or try to win their affection or pretend to be anything but yourself, and they still always love you unconditionally. They’re not gonna leave you or change their mind. They're just there, always.”

Theo’s looking at him like he’s said too much and maybe he has. Alec’s always running his mouth and he wishes he could stop, but so far he hasn’t figured out a way to shut himself up that doesn’t involve running away.

“Are we talking about you or me?”

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