Page 6 of Cross the Line

“So why did you pick me up anyway?” Alec questions. “Did you lose a bet?”

Despite the way Alec laughs, the juxtaposition in his drop in confidence is sharp. It makes Theo’s chest clench uncomfortably. It’s not exactly a new feeling to want to protect Alec. Back when he’d come out as gay in fourth grade, he and Jason had made a point to drop him off and pick him up every day in their football jerseys. No one had actually given him any shit for being gay, but he and Jason weren’t gonna give anyone any chances. The protectiveness he’d felt then had been the kind you have for a little kid you want to shield before the world has a chance to dull their spirit.

Alec is anything but a little kid now, but Theo sees the same flicker of unease he saw ten years ago. The difference is that this time Theo isn’t some cool high school football player anymore. He can’t rock up in a sports jersey and Jason’s muscle car and magically fix things just by being there. He can’t do much of anything except offer Alec a distraction.

“You act like I can’t just have missed you.” Judging by the expression on Alec’s face it’s clear he’s going to need to offer more. “Jason was actually busy, but I also wanted to spend time with you.”

It’s not a total lie. It’s adjacent enough to the truth that Theo doesn’t feel too guilty.

“You never spend time with me,” Alec points out and Theo isn’t sure if he wants to laugh or scream. If there’s one thing you can always count on for Alec it's that he doesn’t make things easy. He calls you on your bullshit every time, never lets you get away with anything. Usually this is directed towards Jason or the twins. Apparently Theo has made himself fair game.

“Of course I do. I’ve known you your entire life.”

Saying it out loud is strange but true. He and Jason had become instant best friends in first grade when Jason had realized Theo’s lunch box was sometimes empty, and started sharing half of his turkey sandwich and fruit snacks. The following year, Jason’s mom had been pregnant with Alec and while he hadn’t understood or even liked babies, he’d been around to see Alec grow from a noisy wrinkled baby into an energetic toddler to a headstrong preteen into, well, now a man. It’s strange to realize he’s been around for Alec’s entire life, knows his childhood secrets and yet in other ways he hardly knows him.

“Name the last time we hung out,” Alec demands, crossing his arms and fixing his gaze on Theo. There’s nothing sharp in his tone, but the challenge is clear.

“We hang out all the time,” Theo tries, racking his brain for the last time. “Right before you left for training. Charlie and Andrew’s birthday.”

“No I meant us, without someone else.”

Theo opens his mouth then closes it. He tries to think of even one occasion where he was around Alec without it being because of Jason or his family but can’t.

“I was nine,” Alec says. “I’d gotten a new soccer ball for Christmas and wanted to play with you and Jason so badly but Jason wanted to go see his girlfriend. He told me maybe tomorrow but you looked at me and grabbed the ball and took me in the backyard. You were wearing that same brown hoodie you wore every day, and your hair was longer than it is now—almost to your shoulders. We played for hours until mom had to drag us inside because dinner was ready. When Jason got back you guys went up to his room to play video games.”

“I forgot about that,” Theo admits. “That was twelve years ago. How do you even remember that much about it?”

Alec is quieter than normal and an unfamiliar feeling builds in Theo’s gut. Alec is rarely quiet.

“Hey look there’s a taco truck down that road,” Alec announces. “Pull over.”

“There’s not even a line, how do you know if it’s good?” Theo asks, already switching on his turn signal. He tries to look for a name so he might be able to look up the menu online or any reviews, but sees nothing as he parks on an unfamiliar side street.

“You don’t know if it's any good until you try it,” Alec replies.

He has a point, but Theo is not quite as adventurous an eater as Alec. Partly because of his own taste buds, but also because growing up below the poverty line meant there was never enough money to waste on food he might not like. He’s got enough disposable income to cover eating out now, and Jason is paying for dinner tonight, but old habits are hard to break. The thought makes him frown. He’s not twelve anymore, rationing out cereal into baggies to make sure it lasted the entire week in case his dad didn’t get paid. He’s a grown up with a stable income and he can try a new food truck. Besides, it's Alec’s birthday and if he wants tacos then he should get them, Theo’s stupid issues aside.

“Alright, just let me try and look it up first and?—”

“No way,” Alec interrupts, stealing Theo’s phone from the center console and shoving it into the pocket of his sweats. “We are going in blind. This is my last free weekend before the school nutritionist starts monitoring every damn micro nutrient I ingest, and going on and on about how vital it is I hit my protein goals as the only vegetarian on the team. We’re going on a culinary adventure.”

There’s very little about approaching an unmarked food truck in an empty alley that feels like an adventure to Theo, but considering he puts in free time in his calendar he’s probably not the right person to judge.

“Sure.” Theo tries to smile but it feels more like a grimace.

“I’m sure whatever we get they can make without onions.” Alec pats his leg. “Come on big guy.”

“How do you know I hate onions?”

Alec looks at him like he’s stupid which Theo is starting to feel.

“I do pay attention to things besides soccer you know,” Alec snorts, poking him in the side with one of his bony fingers when Theo makes no move to open his door. “Come on, Theo, live a little.”

“Stop poking me and I’ll come.”

“Yes, sir,” Alec crows, opening his door. He’s out of the car and using the hood as drums before Theo’s finished opening his own door. He smiles at Theo, the wind ruffling his hair as he watches Theo approach. Behind him the sky turns orange, streaks of white clouds painting a picture. Alec shakes the curls from his face, the lines of his body sharp against the softening sky, and Theo has the sudden urge to take his picture.

A thought occurs to Theo, unbidden and confusing. Alexander King is beautiful.

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