Wish You'd Met Me First (boyxboy)

Chapter 8: Victory Party

A/N: Looks like the gang is thinking about something grand...

As the next movie starts, I catch Brett glancing at me from across the room. It's quick, like he didn't mean to, and he looks away just as fast. But it's enough to set my mind spinning again, replaying what happened earlier on a loop.

I sink back into the couch, trying to lose myself in the explosions and action on the screen, but it's not working. My head's still buzzing, the shirt I'm wearing smells like him, and I can't shake the weird tension sitting in my chest.

Tom, who's sitting next to me, suddenly nudges my arm.

"You good, man?"

"Huh?" I glance over at him, caught off guard.

"Yeah, I'm fine."

He raises an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. His eyes drop to my shirt, and his brow furrows.

"Wait, didn't you show up in a different shirt? What happened?"

"Uh..." I shrug, trying to play it off.

"Just a mishap, you know. Spilled soda. Brett had a spare, so..." I gesture vaguely at the shirt.

Tom gives me a curious look but doesn't push it.

"Alright, if you say so."

I flash a quick grin, but my skin prickles under the shirt, like he's seeing more than I want him to. I turn back to the movie, but my mind keeps drifting back to earlier. The way Brett's hand felt on my chest. The way my brain went somewhere it shouldn't have. And how I can't stop thinking about it.

The night's winding down, and we're all feeling it. The last movie's nearly over, and the energy in the room has dropped. Most of the guys are sprawled out on the couch or floor, some half-asleep or scrolling through their phones. The flickering TV screen is the only light in the room.

As the credits roll, Tom stretches and yawns.

"Alright, guys, I think I'm done. I'm crashing. If you guys wanna stay over, feel free. Plenty of rooms."

Ryan groans, shifting on the couch.

"Nah, I'm good. I wanna sleep in my own bed."

"Same," Jason mumbles, sitting up and rubbing his eyes.

"I'm out."

The rest of the guys murmur in agreement, clearly ready to head out. But just as everyone's getting ready to leave, Ryan perks up, his eyes lighting up like he just had the greatest idea ever.

"Yo, before we all head out, how about we throw a party next Friday?" Ryan says, suddenly energized.

"We killed it on the field today. We should celebrate."

"A party?" Tom echoes, sitting up despite his tiredness.

"I'm down. We've got plenty to celebrate, and that gives us all week to plan."

"Exactly," Ryan says, grinning.

"We can make it big—invite the whole team, some cheerleaders, and whoever else."

Jason, who was practically asleep a second ago, suddenly sits up, looking way too awake.

"We can have it at my place again. My parents are out of town next weekend."

"Perfect," Brett chimes in from across the room, leaning back against the couch with an easy grin, Blaine still by his side.

"We'll spread the word. Everyone's gonna hear about it."