Page 10 of Cross the Line

Theo snorts. “You are definitely something.”

“I’m taking that as a compliment.” Alec grins before unlocking the front door. He turns the key, hand hovering over the handle before he turns back to look at Theo.

“What’s up, kiddo?”

Alec fights off the rush of indigence he feels at hearing that a second time. It doesn’t matter how much he desperately wants Theo to see him as a man, to see how much he’s grown up and matured. He can’t push him. All that matters is that for the first time in years, Theo is really looking at him and Alec doesn’t want him to stop. Problem is, he doesn’t want to make a mistake, either. He doesn’t want to accidentally freak Theo out with feelings and have him run away again.

“Nothing.” Alec sighs, resolved to ignore his own wants. He twists the knob, pushing the door halfway open before abruptly turning back around to face Theo. He isn’t ready to let tonight be over. Not yet. Maybe he can have just a little bit more time before whatever this is ends. “Will you come in?”

“Alec.”

Theo’s gaze darts from Alec to the open doorway behind him, probably weighing the invitation. He knows he’s pushing his luck, but Alec’s always liked to push boundaries.

“Please,” Alec whispers in a tone that feels embarrassingly close to begging. “I had fun tonight and I?—”

Someone giggles in the house, followed by a loud thud and more stifled laughter. Heart stuttering in his chest, Alec swivels on his heels just in time for the lights to turn on and a house stuffed with people to scream “Happy Birthday!”

He turns back around to look at Theo’s smile, desperately trying to return the expression. He should be grateful, excited, but all he can feel is a crushing sense of disappointment at the realization that Theo hadn’t missed him. Theo had been doing Jason a favor.

“Alec, my man!” Riley yells, slinging an arm around Alec’s shoulder.

Riley’s got a good six inches on Alec, though most of his friends do. When he pulls Alec in for a hug, it shoves Alec’s face into his chest and Alec breathes in a little deeper, always relieved at how much his friends indulge his need for touch, even the straight ones. Well, privately Theo has questions about how straight Riley Reed is, but that’s not something Alec can figure out for him.

“Happy birthday, my King.” Riley’s voice booms through the night, the group of people around them cheering as someone passes Riley a gaudy costume crown with oversized plastic jewels all around it. It’s absolutely ridiculous, which means, naturally, Alec loves it. What he doesn’t love is the way Riley picks him up and throws him over his shoulder. Just because he’s smaller than everyone else doesn’t mean he’s fair game.

“Put me down, you overgrown caveman.”

“Not my fault you’re pocket-sized.”

“I’m five foot eight, asshole.”

“Like I said, pocket-sized.” Riley slaps his ass. “Enjoy the ride. Onward to debauchery!”

The sole upside to being on Riley’s shoulders is that it gives him a perfect view of Theo while people file back into the house. Everyone except Theo, that is. He remains in the shadows, something sad in his smile and Alec can’t stand it. No matter how much it breaks his heart, no matter how much he knows Theo will never return his feelings, what he misses more than anything is being able to call Theo his friend.

“Put me down, fucker!” Alec tries one more time. When that doesn’t work, he resorts to desperate measures and slaps Riley’s ass to get his attention. It works, perhaps too well, because Riley coughs and Alec cackles. Serves him right.

“What’s going on?” Riley asks, setting him down. He turns to follow Alec’s gaze towards the front porch and raises his eyebrows.

“Fuck off,” Alec grumbles, giving Riley a shove. The fucking giant of a man doesn’t even budge as Alec stomps past him until he’s standing directly in front of Theo.

“I will not fuck off, but I will stay ten feet away,” Riley grudgingly agrees, leaning against the door frame. He crosses his arms over his chest like some kind of guard dog and Alec can’t help but shake his head. His friends are the best, but also a pain in the ass. Besides Antonio, he’s definitely closest to Riley. They met last year and have been thick as thieves ever since. Aside from his brother Charlie, they’re the only two people alive who know how Alec feels about Theo.

“Down, puppy.” Alec laughs, patting Riley’s arm. Riley has been protective of Alec since the day they met. To be fair, it tracks given the way they met. While he appreciates that Riley cares, he can handle himself just fine. He’s not fifteen anymore. He’s not gonna confess his undying love to Theo, he’s not a totally pathetic moron even if he feels like it, walking to Theo with a house full of people staring.

Theo shoves his hands in his pocket, watching Alec’s approach with clear confusion. “What are you doing? You know your party is inside, right?”

“Then why are you out here?” Alec counters. Maybe he’s not a total moron, but he’s definitely a partial one. He can’t stay away from Theo even if he tries. Worse, he doesn't want to. “It’s a party.”

“I can see that.” Theo laughs. “That’s a very nice crown you’ve got there.”

“I know, right?” Alec adjusts his crown, making sure to pull a few curls out. “I look even more handsome.”

Theo doesn’t reply, but Alec doesn’t expect him to. He just can’t turn off the part of his brain that flirts with everyone he likes.

“Come inside.”

“Go have fun,” Theo counters.

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