Page 64 of Cross the Line

“Hey, that’s my baby brother!” Jason yells, but no one pays him any attention.

Alec turns, standing in the open doorway, the pulsing lights flickering behind him as he turns to Jason and offers him two middle fingers. “Cock blocker.”

Jason is saying something, but Theo’s ears are filled with white noise as he stares at the curve of Alec’s spine, remembering the freckles that hug his lower back.

“Dude, I said move it or they’ll get in without us,” Jason repeats, grabbing Theo’s arm.

Theo curses under his breath, hurrying to follow, but the bouncer shakes his head, pointing to the end of the line. It’s impossible to tell who is more upset, Theo who gets a sick feeling at the idea of Alec in there without him or Jason who looks like someone stole his piece of birthday cake.

“He’s my brother,” Jason says, lifting his chin.

The bouncer shrugs. “Hottest ones first.”

“I’m hot.” Jason frowns.

“Of course you are, big guy,” Theo tells him, clapping him on the back.

“We’re hot,” Jason repeats, clearly put out. Theo can’t even be offended because one of his main goals in life is to be invisible, so he can’t be annoyed that the bouncer agrees. Besides, he and Jason always wait in line and it’s never been a problem. Then again, they’ve never brought Alec before.

“This is bullshit,” Jason grumbles. “What if someone in there makes a move on Alec? At least Hunter is there, I guess. What’s his deal, is he?—”

“Are you guys coming?” Alec yells, popping his head back out of the door.

Theo doesn’t want to think too hard about the fact that Alec noticed that they weren’t with him. His heart skips a beat.

“We would, but he won’t let us in,” Jason says, frowning at the bouncer like he’s responsible for every wrong Jason has ever suffered in his life. It occurs to Theo that Jason and Alec are equally dramatic, though Jason tends to be a bit quieter about it. Apparently this time he’s too offended to keep his mouth shut.

“I’m sure he would for me, wouldn’t you?” Alec grins, leaning against the doorway. He arches his back, crossing his arms in a way that pulls his top up even further and exposes most of his stomach and ribs as he stares at the bouncer sweetly. When that doesn’t immediately work, Alec leans forward, whispering something in the bouncer’s ear that has him nodding solemnly before lowering the rope.

Theo holds his breath watching the exchange, eyes darting between Alec and the bouncer when the man’s stoic countenance breaks. Jason and Theo don’t wait for further permission, hurrying inside after Alec.

“What did you tell him?” Jason asks, yelling to be heard over the music.

“None of your business,” Alec retorts. “You're welcome for saving your asses, by the way.”

“I could’ve got in on my looks if I tried,” Jason grumbles.

Theo wonders if maybe they’re both getting too old for this kind of thing. More than once, Theo’s left the club physically and emotionally unsatisfied. Jason, the serial monogamist, never picks up at clubs and only goes for the vibes.

Until right now, Theo had never stopped to think about the source of his growing dissatisfaction. He hadn’t ever let himself consider that maybe he’s tired of blow jobs in the back of a club or nameless bathroom sex. He hadn’t ever let himself think about the fact that he’s growing tired of cheap hookups, that maybe he’s tired of them altogether. Probably because admitting that means admitting he might want something else. But does that mean he wants a relationship? He sure as hell never has before. He’s not a relationship guy. He promised himself a long time ago he’d never fall in love or deal with that level of heartache.

Unfortunately, looking at Alec standing there so carefree and sexy, he can feel his heart wanting things his brain has no intention of letting it have.

Jason scoffs. “I’m still in my prime.”

“Sure you are,” Theo agrees.

At the exact same time Alec yells, “You’re old!”

“Fuck you!” Jason fires back.

Alec laughs before turning towards the dance floor. He watches for a few seconds before turning to Jason and Theo. “I’m going to dance. You guys coming?”

Theo shakes his head. “I’m gonna get a drink first.”.

“I’ll dance,” Hunter says, almost making Theo wish he’d said yes. He has no reason to dislike Hunter, yet every time he looks at him he likes the guy less. Theo watches them weave through the crowd, his heart lodged in his throat at the sight of Alec’s delicate fingers curled around Hunter’s forearm. He’s holding on to him so they don’t get lost in the crowd. Probably.

“I need a drink, pronto. How about—” but Jason cuts himself off, pulling his buzzing phone out of back pocket from a frown. “God dammit.”

---