Seeing Double

Chapter 6

A/N: controlling aspects, implied sexual assault, verbal abuse & manipulation.

"I'm really not comfortable going," Liam said, sitting on the edge of the bed and taking in a deep breath.

Asher rolled his eyes, "baby," he said softly. "it's a party, I know your ex is going but don't sweat it. He won't come near you while I'm there, just stick with me," Asher said.

Liam looked down at his hands, "or I could just not go?"

"Not an option," Asher retorted, "you're coming."

Liam sighed, "you're not listening to me," he said. "I don't feel comfortable going to a party that he's at, why don't you care?"

Asher snapped, throwing his phone to the bed. "Because you're being fucking dramatic!" he yelled, "it was one time Liam, and you're making it your whole personality."

Liam felt a tear slide down his cheek at Asher's words, "how could you say that to me? You know what he did to me, what he let happen..."

Asher scoffed, "because it was years ago, you're being dramatic and overreacting." He didn't care that he was invalidating Liam's feelings, not when this party was supposed to be a fun night and Liam was ruining it for him.

"Wow," Liam said, blinking away the incoming tears as he wiped his cheek. "You're going to stand there and say that to me? Really?"

"Yeah, I am." Asher shrugged his words off, turning to his closet and grabbing his leather jacket, tossing his denim one to Liam. "it's going to be cold so wear that," he said.

"Do you really think I want to after what you just said to me?" Liam replied, his voice low and quiet as he didn't want to fight with Asher. But he also didn't want to go to this stupid party, not when Brett would be present.

Asher turned to him, a dangerous look in his eyes. "Excuse me?" he asked, standing over Liam who was still sitting down. "Do you think you're the one planning stuff now? Is that what this is?"

Liam felt his breathe hitch as he fought the urge to look up, he hated when Asher got angry with him. But he wasn't weak, he didn't like to be. He never used to be, Brett broke him.

"You know what he did to me Asher..." Liam whispered, "you know how bad he hurt me and y-you still insist on me coming with you tonight. Don't you see how that hurts me?"

Asher let out a loud sigh, "alright," he said. "You're right," he pulled back, running a hand through his dark hair. "But you said we don't do stuff together anymore, this party is our way to spend time together."

"I meant just the two of us," Liam replied, standing up and brushing his sweaty palms across his jeans. "I didn't mean us plus all your friends," Liam said.

"Nothing's good enough for you," Asher groaned.

"I didn't mean that," Liam replied, "I just meant..."

"Don't care," Asher said, cutting him off. "This party means a lot to me and you don't even care, you're so selfish."

Liam sat back onto the bed, fighting the anxiety and tears from spilling. "You don't mean that," he whispered, wiping away a singular tear.

"Nah, I do." Asher spat back, "you only care about your own feelings. This night means a lot to me and you want to embarrass me. I told my boys you'd be with me Liam; you know how fucking stupid I'll look if I go without you?"

"I didn't realise how important tonight was to you," Liam replied, standing up and grabbing Asher's hand. "I'll go, I don't want to hurt you," he said. Despite his own feelings hurting, it didn't matter. If Asher wasn't concerned, he shouldn't be either.

"Good," Asher replied, "put the jacket on, I don't want to hear you complaining that you're cold." Liam obeyed, slipping the jacket on as it hugged his smaller frame.

"I won't be drinking though and I'm not changing my mind about that," Liam said, and he was not giving into this. "I'm serious, don't pressure me to drink. I haven't drank since Brett; I'm not letting that happen to me again."

"Fine," Asher replied, "but don't beg me to leave early cause you're bored or sober cause I'm staying until it's over which means you are too." He heard a knock at the door and was annoyed to see Theo standing in the entrance, "fuck off."

"You both going to Isaac's party?" Theo asked, his arms crossed as he leaned against the doorframe.

"Yes," Liam replied, "are you?"

Asher shot him a glare for even speaking to Theo, "no he's not."

"Yes, I am." Theo replied, a grin across his face as he continued to piss off his brother. "I look forward to seeing you both there," Theo smiled, exiting the room.

Asher grabbed Liam's wrist, "I told you not to talk to him," he spat.

"I'm didn't think that also applied to your house, it's hard to avoid him Asher... he lives here and I am dating his twin. I mean, I'm bound to cross his path?"

"Don't care," Asher replied, sounding like a bratty child as his grip tightened, "he's a piece of shit, stay away from him. Got it?":

"You're hurting me," Liam winced, pulling his hand back and meeting Asher's gaze. "I will, just let me go," Asher did, he released his grip although his glare didn't soften.

"He's trouble for our relationship Liam," Asher said, "he's only going to get in your head, he's a dick."

Liam nodded, although he completely disagreed. Theo had been nothing but kind to him, sure he pushed him a bit. But it was because he wanted to help him, Liam considered him a good friend.

"Alright," Liam sighed, grabbing Asher's hand. "I'm ready to go, if you are?" in other words, let's get this night over with so that I can come home. Asher nodded, grabbing his keys as they walked down the stairs. Liam caught a glimpse of Theo as they exited the house, wishing he was anywhere else.

Published: 19th April 2024
Word count: 1024