Page 2 of Make the Play
“Stop what?” They ask in such succinct unison it weirds Jason out. They turn to look at each other as if having a telepathic conversation that makes Jason feel left out.
With a heavy sigh, Jason takes another chug of his beer and wishes Theo were here. Or Alec. He loves his older brothers, really he does, but they’re a lot easier to handle one on one or with someone else as a buffer. It’s probably a good thing neither of them really date because he can’t imagine where a significant other might fit with that bond. Anyone partnering with either of them would need nerves of steel, that’s for sure.
“I’m going to go inside and check on the food,” Andrew announces.
“What’s there to check on?” Charlie asks, already trailing after him like a lost puppy.
Once they’re inside the house, Jason takes advantage of the silence to relax, letting his stress and worries fade into the background while he sips his beer and stares at the horizon. His own house doesn’t have views like this, but he’s only a ten minute drive from the beach which he prefers, especially since his dogs love it. Still, he’s going to appreciate the view while he can.
Unfortunately, his peace is short-lived because ten minutes later, Andrew comes out of the house carrying a tray of vegetables for the grill. Behind him, Charlie follows along, yammering about some art show he has coming up next week and whether Andrew is coming with a plus one.
“Why would I bring anyone?” Andrew frowns. “I’m perfectly happy single.”
“Are you though?” Charlie asks, looking unexpectedly concerned. “I wonder sometimes if—” but the rest of his words are cut off by the familiar high pitch of his youngest brother Alec’s voice.
“The party has arrived, fuckers.” Seconds later Alec appears, coming down the side of the house with his usual shit-eating grin in place. One step behind him is Jason’s childhood best friend Theo, whose eyes track the backyard in search of Jason. The second he sees him, he holds his hands up while he mouths an apology.
“You’re late,” Andrew says.
“Thirty minutes, big deal.” Alec shrugs. “Besides, we all know that no party truly starts until I arrive.”
“Sometimes I don’t think your ego can get any bigger, and then I’m proven wrong,” Charlie says, looking like he’s trying very hard not to smile.
Alec merely smirks. “Tell me I’m wrong.”
“You’re wrong,” Andrew deadpans, earning him a middle finger from Alec. The gesture is immediately followed by a hug. With his arms wrapped around Andrew, Alec rises onto tiptoes to whisper something that has Andrew exhaling a heavy breath as he smiles. Some of Jason’s earlier tension melts away.
For all Alec’s brashness, the truth is that he’s got a way with people, particularly those with the highest walls like Theo and Andrew. After another whispered interlude that has Andrew laughing, Alec moves on to Charlie, who he engulfs in a hug.
Taking the opportunity to steal his best friend, Jason nods in the direction of the patio furniture, hoping his meaning is clear. Without waiting to see if Theo is coming, because he knows him well enough to know that he will definitely follow him, he bends down to snag another beer for Theo from the cooler. When he turns his head to glance behind him, he’s gratified to see that Theo is indeed right there. He offers Jason an easy smile and a thanks as he accepts the beer.
“I really am sorry for being late,” Theo tells him, waiting until Jason’s occupied one half of the couch before settling himself in one of the armchairs opposite him. “Alec was?—”
“I do not want to know,” Jason interrupts, holding up his hand. “We talked about this when you two started dating, remember? Details are so not necessary. Ever.”
“We’re not late because we were fucking,” Theo laughs, but his cheeks flush.
“Aw, it’s adorable that you can blush about that,” Jason teases, not sure he will ever get tired of seeing Theo lovesick. After a lifetime of watching him run away from anyone who even mentioned feelings, it seems fitting that someone as stubborn as his baby brother is the only one to break through his walls. “You know you can talk to me about anything, right? Except sex with my brother.”
“I have no desire to talk about fucking Alec with you.”
“Sometimes I fuck Theo,” Alec yells from across the yard, the nosy fucker.
“No one needs to know that,” Jason reminds him, shooting Alec the middle finger.
Alec’s laughter rings out loudly, fading away as he gets caught up in conversation with the twins. Jason returns his attention to Theo, surprised to find him intently staring.
“What?” Jason asks.
“You know that goes both ways right?” Theo pops open his beer, taking a slow sip while fixing his blue eyes firmly on Jason.
“What does?”
“That you can talk about anything with me,” Theo clarifies.
“Uh-huh,” Jason hums. “Of course I know that.”
“Good.” Theo taps his fingers against the can, turning towards Alec and the twins when Alec laughs loudly again. His attention isn’t diverted long, but the lovestruck expression on his face as he stares at Alec has something uncomfortable churning in Jason’s gut. He gulps down his beer, hoping to push the feelings away.
