Page 56 of Cross the Line

Though Alec doesn’t turn to look at Theo again, the ghost of his smile lingers on Theo’s skin.

Soccer was never Theo’s favorite sport, but he understands just enough to follow the game and to appreciate that Alec is an absolute beast on the field. The rest of his team is good, as is the opposing team, but there’s something magic about the way Alec handles a pass and his footwork when he has the ball. He’s not just fast, he’s coordinated and smooth, running laps around the other team.

When Alec scores a third time, the cheers are nearly deafening, or maybe that’s Jason, who seems determined to be the most embarrassing, proud big brother on the face of the earth. Alec flips him off again when Jason manages to get everyone doing the wave, but he never stops smiling.

It’s clear Alec is a crowd favorite from the way the stands erupt in cheers when he’s in possession of the ball, as well as from the numerous students wearing his jersey. The sight of “King” plastered on so many people’s backs has an unfamiliar feeling clawing its way up Theo’s spine. There’s a level of pride at seeing so many recognize Alec’s skill, but there’s something else, too. The bitter tang of jealousy darkens his mood as he thinks about the social media comments and the way people talked about him like they knew him, like they were entitled to a piece of him because of his popularity or skill.

He can’t help but wonder if Alec knows, and if he does, if he likes it. He likes attention enough; he probably revels in it. Is that all Theo is? One more pathetic fan in the crowd, angling for a piece of Alec?

The thoughts nag at the edges of his joy. Though Theo tries to keep his head in the game, it’s difficult to focus on everything except Alec and the longing that makes his heart race. Coming here was probably one of the stupidest things he could do, yet when the game ends and Alec seeks him out in the stands and waves—that smile of his enough to power the sun—Theo can’t regret his choice.

Maybe what he wants from Alec is more than he can have, more than he should want, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be here for Alec and support him.

CHAPTER 11

Alec

The second half of the game passes in blur. It’s as if Alec can do no wrong. Every pass is perfect and their opponents are unable to stop him. It doesn’t hurt that his team matches the energy. For all Alec’s been questioning his future lately, one thing remains true—Alec loves soccer. Today he remembers that with every interception, pass, and goal. He remembers what it means to be part of a team and love it, and most of all, he remembers to play his heart out. Of course, this is made all the easier when his heart is sitting in the stands cheering him on.

Fuck, he can’t believe Theo is here.

It’s possible that Theo mentioned his late night ramblings to Jason and they came out of pity, but it’s also possible that maybe, just maybe, Theo came because he wanted to. That maybe fuels Alec on to play like it’s a championship game and not some nothing exhibition. Much as Alec would love to say he dominates the game solely because of hard work, he knows the truth is that he’s showing off. He might have come to dread the life that comes with playing D1 soccer, but not even that can dull his love of the sport. The games are what he lives for, the sacrifice and anxiety and loneliness falling away. For ninety minutes, Alec is just a boy who loves to play again.

It’s been years since Theo came to see him play, and having him out there, knowing he’s watching Alec, makes him invincible.

When the game ends, Alec’s jersey clings to his stomach while sweat drips down the most inconvenient places. He’s exhausted in the best way possible and his legs ache with fatigue, but he won, they won, and it feels good. After a big loss Alec often retreats, replaying the game in his mind while damn near chewing his own nails off as he replays every mistake he made. Today isn’t going to be one of those days. Today is a day for victory, for pride.

“We did good,” Alec says, slapping McMillan and Chaucer on the backs before moving closer to Antonio. He leans into him, relieved when he slings an arm around Alec’s shoulder and pulls him closer.

Some of the other guys had been standoffish when Alec joined the team, and while most of them have come around, Alec still holds himself back with a lot of them. Not Antonio, though. He never cared that Alec was gay. They’d bonded immediately during their freshman year and never looked back. Not once, in all that time, has Antonio ever made Alec feel uncomfortable about his sexuality or how tactile he is. Antonio gave the middle finger, figuratively and literally, to the guys who’d made Alec hold himself back that first year.

“You were on fire, King.” Antonio’s breathless and happy, as high on their win as Alec is.

“Don’t act so surprised. I told you I’m amazing.”

“And so modest,” Antonio snorts, ruffling Alec’s hair.

“Don’t mess up my curls,” he grumbles, not at all put out. Alec’s a fucking goner for having his hair touched.

“Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but your curls are a sweaty mess.”

“You’re sweaty.”

“Doesn’t stop you from laying on me.”

“You’re the one suffocating me with your abnormally long arms.”

Antonio laughs. “They’re not abnormally long, you’re just?—”

“If you say short, I will end you.”

“Aw, is my short king touchy?”

“I’m only two inches shorter than you.” Alec pouts. “I need to make shorter friends. Why is everyone I like so tall? What the fuck did you all eat growing up?”

“Tortillas,” Antonio answers with a laugh, ruffling Alec’s hair again before tugging on him to guide him towards the locker room with the rest of the team. “Speaking of Theo?—”

“How in the hell did you get from tortillas to Theo?”

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