Seeing Double

Chapter 14

The warmth of the hot chocolate provided a feeling of comfort in Liam's hands, "it smells good," he smiled. The sweet smell of chocolate infiltrating his nostrils as he turned to Theo, Hayden and Nolan.

"So, you finally left that loser? No offence," Nolan said, flicking Theo a look that said sorry-not-sorry. "You look a lot happier, like you're glowing."

Liam bowed his head at the compliment, feeling more himself than he had in months. "I feel a lot better," he shrugged, it still felt off. Although six weeks had passed since leaving Asher, it did little to ease his anxiety.

Everything he had experienced would stick with him, no matter how hard he tried to shake the fear away. Asher had still tried to contact him through text messages and phone calls, to the point where Liam had to change his number.

"You look great," Theo smiled, taking Liam's hand in a comforting manor. The pair had gotten closer since everything had happened, Theo's feelings never left but the last thing he wanted to do was overwhelm Liam or move too fast when Liam needed time.

Theo could do that, he could wait for Liam.

"Oh god," Hayden groaned, pinching her nose and turning to the side. "Maybe we should just-" her words were cut short when both Liam and Theo turned to see where she had been looking, seeing Asher and Scott enter the café.

"They wasted no time," Nolan commented, seeing the way Asher was eyeballing Scott like he was a slice of cake. "Yikes," Nolan sipped at his coffee, ignoring the annoyed glance from Theo.

"Let's just go," Theo said but Liam shook his head.

"It's fine, I'm not scared." Maybe that was a bit of a lie, his hand's slight shake was a clear indication of that. But he didn't want to be scared, he wanted to be strong. He could be strong, "he can do whatever he wants, we're not together anymore."

"He's seeing Scott but a week ago was begging for your forgiveness, tacky," Hayden said.

"Trashy," Nolan added.

"If he comes over here I'm going to punch him in the-"

"No," Liam said, cutting Theo's threat off, "he's not even relevant, let's just pretend he isn't here." Unfortunately, that was no easy task, not when Asher's obnoxious laugh startled the entire café. "I don't miss that," Liam rolled his eyes, placing his hot chocolate onto the table.

"Liam," Asher called out, which sent shivers down the boy's spine. "How have you been? Dam you look good."

"And you look drunk, it's midday Asher," Liam replied, an unimpressed look upon his face. Theo beside him ready to intervene when needed but holding back for now. He didn't want to fight Liam's battles for him, he knew the younger was sassy and strong.

"You must be loving this," Asher laughed, his eyes locked on Theo's. "You can finally have him, your little crush." Theo felt sick to his stomach, "you made our parents hate me, you steal my boyfriend, what's next?"

Theo stood up, "you should leave, you're embarrassing yourself."

Scott nodded in agreement, "Asher come on, it's not worth it."

"Easy for you to say," Asher flicked him off, "you don't have a twin who hates you and-"

"I never hated you!" Theo snapped, "I fucking loved you! I looked up to you and I even respected your relationship with Liam even after you knew how I felt about him. He shook his head, "if anyone hates you it's because of you, because of the way you treat people."

Liam felt frozen, he didn't know Theo had felt that way towards him until now. "Hear that Liam," Asher laughed, "I only dated you to show Theo it wouldn't be so hard, turns out you were also a good root and-"

"Dude shut the fuck up," Scott groaned, leading him yelling out of the café and carrying on like a child. Liam abruptly shut his mouth, trying not to let Asher's words get to him.

"Did he mean that?" he couldn't help but ask.

Theo sighed, "which part?"

"You liked me?" Liam asked, hoping to focus on this question instead of the other one. "I mean before I dated him—Asher. Did you like me first?"

"I liked you a lot," Theo said, feeling his nerves and anxiety spike up having said it out loud. "But it doesn't have to mean anything, I know you need time and if you don't even want to look at me I completely understand that, I know we're twins and-"

"Stop talking," Liam leaned forward, his lips tangling with Theo's as he closed his eyes. Hayden and Nolan immediately turning to each other in aid to give them some privacy—despite this happening inside of a café.

They parted, "woah," Theo gasped, feeling all anxiety flush out of him as he looked into Liam's eyes. Only falling deeper as he caught his breath, "I'm sorry."

"You have nothing to apologise for," Liam smiled.

"Guys," Nolan said, "I'm trying to drink my coffee, not watch this romcom crap."

They laughed before sitting back down, this time it was Liam who reached for Theo's hand, intertwining their fingers as he did. "I'd like to talk about this—us. Later if that's okay with you?"

Theo nodded, also wanting to talk about whatever this was. His dreams finally coming true, he could hardly keep the smile off his face. "I'd like that too," he replied.

Maybe everything would finally be okay?

Published: 15th May 2024
Word count: 902