Page 36 of Make the Play
He moves to the fireplace, stacking them in the corner when the knock at the front door comes. Surprised, he turns to look at the clock. It’s not even six yet, way too early for Alec and Theo. Maybe Emerson is early. That would give them some extra time together which would be nice. Between Friday night's game and Saturday morning practice he’s barely gotten to talk to Emerson in the last twenty-four hours. In fact, the only text he got today was a short reply letting him know Emerson is still coming.
Hurrying to the door, he yanks it open, ignoring Stella and Freddie’s excited barks. His wide grin turns to a frown. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
“You invited us,” Alec answers, shouldering his way in past Jason. “Unless you’re getting senile in your old age and forgot. So where is this mystery person? Are they here yet? That was a shitty welcome by the way. Maybe you need etiquette lessons. You want to practice before your company gets here?”
A knot of tension forms between Jason’s shoulders. Alec and Theo are always late. He expected them to be here a good twenty or thirty minutes after he told them. It was supposed to give him time to make sure Emerson is comfortable and give him a little tour.
“I didn’t forget. You’re just early.” Jason peers out the front door watching Theo walk up. He lifts his hands in silent question and Theo returns the gesture with a shrug. “Since when are you two early?”
“Since you invited someone to pizza. I want to meet them. Honestly though, I’m just glad you’re over what’s-her-face.”
“Why are we talking about Nicole?” Theo asks, stepping into the house and closing the front door behind him.
“We are not talking about what’s-her-face, because we don’t mention her name.” Alec glares at Theo. Even though Jason isn’t still upset about his ex-girlfriend, it’s clear Alec still is.
“Now let's get back to the situation at hand. Jason invited a date over. He’s never invited anyone, this is huge.”
“It’s not a date,” Jason protests. “Besides I’ve invited someone over before.”
“No, you haven’t,” Theo replies, pulling Jason into a bear hug. “You’re lucky I managed to put Alec off as long as I did. He's been trying to come over for the last two hours.”
“I have not,” Alec protests, squatting down so Freddie can climb into his lap. After Jason, Alec is definitely Freddie’s favorite person, and his tail whacks the hardwood floor as he licks Alec’s face. “Who’s the best boy in the whole world? Yes, you are.”
“Did you want to come to see me or the dogs?” Jason laughs.
“The dogs obviously,” Alec says, flipping Jason off before laying on the floor. Stella barks excitedly, jumping all over Alec.
“You guys better not jump on Emerson when he gets here, or I’m putting you in the garage,” Jason grumbles.
Alec’s head snaps up. “Who’s Emerson?”
“The guy coming. I told you.”
“No, you told Theo you invited someone. You didn’t say it was a guy.”
“Emerson,” Theo pipes up. “The new English teacher?”
“Yeah, he?—”
“Why do you know who Emerson is and I don’t?” Alec demands.
“Best friend privileges,” Theo answers, turning his attention to Jason. “I didn’t realize you two were so close.”
“We’re friends,” Jason answers. “I’m not replacing you.”
“I didn’t think you were. It’s just, well, I know I’ve been…busy with stuff.” Stuff. Code for Alec.
“I told you, it’s fine,” Jason says. They’ve had this conversation before and if it were up to Jason, they’d never have it again, but Theo’s guilt complex is apparently in full swing again. It’s exactly why Jason didn’t elaborate when he mentioned this to Theo. Well that, and he knew Theo would tell Alec, and he wasn’t ready for that conversation.
“Because you have Emerson,” Theo says.
“What the fuck is going on?” Alec asks, eyes darting between Jason and Theo.
“I’ll tell you later,” Theo answers.
“No, I wanna know now,” Alec counters, rising from the floor. “Who’s Emerson? What am I missing? What?—”
Theo swiftly moves into Alec’s personal space, crowding him back till his legs hit the sofa and wrapping a hand around the back of his neck. Alec lets out a sound that Jason absolutely never needs to hear any of his brothers making before Theo silences him with a kiss.
