After the storm [Finished]

13- What?!

"Hey, good morning". I heard the moment I stepped out of my room.

"Good morning". Ryan was drinking coffee on the couch.

"I didn't hear you last night. Did you come back late?"

"Oh, I didn't". I looked at him, paying more attention this time. I realized that he was wearing the same clothes that he wore the day before.

"Oh". I muttered. He probably slept somewhere else. At that moment, I started to wonder if he was dating someone. We have shared some personal stuff over the past few months but we have not talked about our current relationships too much. I mentioned I was single once, and he made me understand that he was single too but that didn't mean he was seeing nobody.

"The boys are coming over tonight, do you wanna join?". He asked while turning the TV on.

"I have work to do. Maybe next time". Suddenly, I was feeling annoyed by the thought of him sleeping with someone. I had work to do though, that wasn't a lie.

"Oh, ok". He turned to the screen and I went to the kitchen to make my daily smoothie.

After the gym, I spent almost all my day in my room. And for the first time since I started living with Ryan, I saw him spending a whole Saturday at home. He would watch TV almost the whole day or better said, sleep in front of it.

At 9 pm, I decided to take a break. I was almost done with work anyway. I just had to write some e-mails and send the projects. I took my headphones off and I instantly heard the boys laughing in the living room. I headed out.

"Hey, Alex!". Philip was the first one to greet me.

"Hi, guys". I waved at them.

"Are you joining? We bought your favorite beer", said Jan.

"Sorry, I have to finish some work tonight". I saw Ryan hitting Jan with his elbow and murmuring something to him.

"Oh, c'mon! Just a few drinks". Jan insisted.

"Maybe when I'm done". I turned to the fridge and grabbed some milk to make my cereal. Classic dinner for a Saturday night.

I made my bowl of cereal quickly and returned to my room to finish what I still had pending. Everything was done in about two hours.

"Finally". I sighed and stretched my back in the chair of my desk. I kept staring at the ceiling for a couple of minutes.

These works were commissions for some old clients I had since uni. I wished I could reach more people with my art but I didn't know where to put my efforts for that to happen. I also wanted to start oil painting again, and take a new course about digital drawing. But it was too much to handle at once, I couldn't decide where to start.

I stood up trying to clear my mind. I took off my headphones again and the laugh of Ryan's friends hit me once more. I went to the living room.

"Hey, you joining us?", asked Philip.

"Yup". I took a seat next to him. Ryan and Jan were playing fighting video games on his PlayStation.

"Ah! I'm done playing with you, it's not funny anymore!", exclaimed Jan turning to Ryan.

"C'mon", he giggled.

"Philip, do you wanna play?", asked Jan. "If you win, I wash the dishes". He smiled.

I knew Philip wasn't good at video games either, Jan just wanted to brag about himself. He really was super childish when it came to games.

"I'll play", I said. Jan left out a mocking laugh. "If I win, you wash the dishes and invite us to sushi the next time you come". He laughed.

"Sure. But if I win, you wash the dishes and give me a kiss". Jan smiled widely. I didn't know if he mean it or if he was trying to make me retreat.

"Jan". Ryan said almost complaining.

"Sure". I answered, smiling back at him.

It wasn't an easy round. Jan was tough, but not tough enough. After a good couple of minutes, I proudly claimed my win.

"What? You serious?", exclaimed Jan.

"Whoaaa! I can't wait for that sushi". Ryan was laughing and mocking Jan.

"Did you play that good?", asked Philip. I shrugged my shoulders.

"My ex taught me. He likes this kind of game a lot". I opened a can of beer. I saw Ryan watching me from the corner of his eye.

We kept talking for a while until some other friends came over. The music was on and everyone was drunk, most of them got there drunk already. If it wasn't for Philip and Louis, I would have really felt out of place and returned to my room. They kept me company almost the whole night. I knew Louis a few years ago and Philip was nice to be with.

"I'm going for more beer. Do you want some?", asked Louis.

"Sure".

"I want vodka if you don't mind", said Philip. Louis got up and went to the kitchen. "Alex, can I ask you something?"

"What is it?". I saw Louis getting entertained by some other people.

"Hm...", Philip looked at his palms and then at me. "Has Ryan said something about his ex lately?". I blinked surprised.

"Errr... nothing really. Why do you ask?". I was curious about the sudden question and the topic of it.

"Nothing, just asking".

"What? You must be asking for a reason".

"It's quite personal, but Ryan usually gets quite depressed at this time of the year. That's why I'm asking".

"Oh, it's ok then. Sorry for asking". It was obvious, by his face, that he shouldn't have been talking about that.

"Don't worry. I asked first".

"But... I want to ask you something too". He played with his empty glass and moved his head for me to continue talking. "Does he get depressed because of his ex? I'm just assuming but I think he's seeing another person. He might be over it".

"I know Ryan sleeps with random guys every now and then but that means nothing. You can be with someone without being over your ex, don't you think?"

"Yeah, well... you're right". I snapped late. "Wait, did you say... "guys"?"

"Yeah, Ryan is gay". Philip laughed softly. "You didn't know?". I shooked my head.

It was quite a shock. If he was gay... why did he have sex with me at that time? What was the meaning of that? I glanced towards Ryan who was talking friendly with a blonde girl. Ryan was gay? Then, I was staring at him again. And again, he realized I was staring at him and turned to me with a smile on his face. At that exact moment, I knew that I was in big trouble.