Seeing Double

Chapter 7

A/N: I love this fic hehe, comments & votes make my day!

Liam found himself standing awkwardly between Asher and Isaac, the pair drinking and laughing in an obnoxious way. Asher tried a few times to involve Liam in the conversation, but they were mostly talking about basketball which made it harder for Liam to give an opinion—since he didn't play the sport.

"Liam plays lacrosse though, don't you baby?" Asher asked, his hand snaking around Liam's waist as he held him close. Showing off Liam was like showing off a trope to Asher, despite his feelings not being fully genuine.

Asher had received a lot of support when he came out bisexual, and to be seen with the best lacrosse player only skyrocketed his popularity. Although Liam himself wasn't very popular, people loved him on the field.

It was a good look for Asher. He knew it too, "yeah, uh—I love lacrosse, it's a good stress relief." Liam said, his voice full of nerves as his eyes felt glued to the ground. Isaac laughed, slapping Liam on the back sending the younger boy into a jolt.

Liam wasn't used to this rougher behaviour, his friends weren't like that. He often would hang at his house with Mason or Tracy, they'd order food and play games or watch movies. He wasn't one for rough housing or partying, not like this at least.

"That's cool man," Isaac replied, and that was when Scott approached them. Asher immediately removed his arm from Liam and embraced Scott, basically pushing Liam out of the equation all together. "Scotty," Isaac cheered, watching as Scott placed down several shot glasses.

"Shots boys," Scott laughed, putting out a flask full of God knows what as he began to pour four shots. "Drink up boys," he said passing them out only for Liam to shake his head, "what? It's a party man."

Liam bit his bottom lip nervously, "I don't drink, thanks though," he said with a small shrug. He placed his hand out and pushed the drink away, "Asher can have my drink for me," he said turning to face Asher who was currently scolding him.

"He'll have it," Asher said, much to Liam's surprise.

"No," Liam replied, "I told you earlier that I won't be drinking."

Asher laughed, "give us a moment," he said before taking Liam's arm and leading them to a private area in the backyard, "Liam, just this once do this for me."

"For you?"

"Scott is huge in the basketball game, I don't want to be embarrassed in front of him. If he offers you something, you shut up and take it." Asher explained, but Liam stood before him with furrowed brows and widened eyes.

"I don't want to," Liam said.

"I don't care," Asher retorted, leaning closer until his breath could be felt on Liam's ear. "We're going to go back over there and accept the shots from Scott, if you reject him again, I swear to god we're going to fight when we get home. Do you want to fight?"

Liam's eyes watered as he took a step back, "I don't want to fight with you... but I don't feel comfortable drinking here," he said in a soft voice, scared to fight with Asher especially in front of an audience. His anxiety was already high just by being here, the idea of mixing alcohol with it didn't sound like the best idea.

Asher didn't reply, not verbally. Instead, he dragged Liam back to the table with a smile. "Where were we?" he accepted the shot from Scott before giving Liam a warning glance, "cheers to this season," Theo boasted, referring to the basketball season that was approaching them.

They all proceeded to swing back their shots, Liam included. Right after he did he felt himself gag, "what was that?" Liam asked, he wiped his mouth with a disgusted look upon his face.

"Tequila," Scott laughed, playfully bumping Liam with his arm. "You did alright, see? No harm in having a drink at a party," he said in a teasing tone. "You're lucky you're already taken," he added with a subtle wink.

Liam shuddered, "I'm good," he said. Even if he wasn't dating Asher, Scott wasn't his type. Asher was usually the jealous type, the overprotective type. But he didn't seem concerned with Scott's comment at all, little did Liam know it was because he was jealous that Scott was flirting with Liam and not him.

"Sup boys," a voice laughed, they turned to see Brett approach them. The moment he got within arm's length, Liam bolted. He didn't think and he didn't care, he pushed past the groups of boys and girls until he was inside. Only then did he turn back, unable to see Brett in his sight now.

He turned back around only to bump right into Theo, he jolted back. "Shit—I'm so sorry," Liam said, as he realised, he had bumped the drink from Theo's hand. "Here, let me clean that," Liam said, looking around in an almost frantic way as he tried to find a napkin.

"Liam," Theo said, his eyes scanning Liam's face. "Are you okay? Don't worry about the drink, it wasn't mine..." It was for Hayden, but he could tell by the fearful expression on Liam's face that it wasn't an important thing to mention right now.

"Uh yeah, I'm okay," Liam said stepping back, "I just had a shot and I guess I needed some air?" he wasn't even sure he believed what he was saying, but still Theo nodded. Theo even went as far as to follow him out the front, sitting beside him on the porch. "You didn't have to come out here with me," Liam shrugged, "you probably want to join the party."

"I'd rather be with you," Theo replied, and he meant it. He would choose Liam over a million parties, "What's bothering you?"

"It's nothing," Liam replied, feeling Theo's hand rub his shoulder. He offered him a small smile, "I would rather be anywhere else right now." Liam admitted, he knew he could talk to Theo, he could be open and honest without feeling scared or judged.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" they whipped around to see Asher and Isaac standing at the doorway. "Get your hands off my boyfriend," he snapped, crushing the plastic cup in hi hand and tossing it to the grass.

"Or what?" Theo taunted, standing up and taking Liam's arm with him. "Are you going to hit me? Do it," Theo taunted, sick of Asher's behaviour and sick of seeing Liam upset. Even without Liam telling him, he knew Liam's misery had something to do with Asher... it often did.

Published: 21th April 2024
Word count: 1124