The Boy's of Westbrook

~Bold~ Chapter VIII

Chapter VIII

Damien, what are you doing here? That's what he could have said. Instead, "You're back."

If there was a starry look in his eyes, Reese either didn't know it, or Damien didn't comment.

Aden was mostly out of ear shot and Reese didn't quite know why, but he kept one hand on the doorknob while barricading the door with his body. It wasn't like he had anything to hide. Damien did arch a brow at him with a silent question. Reese thought of the many things he'd have liked to say or ask. None of which was said.

"I met someone," he said instead.

Damien went from concern to relief repeatedly. "Oh yeah?"

"I did." Why wouldn't the words come out?

Damien was clearly waiting for an explanation. Maybe even an introduction judging by the way Damien tilted his head towards the door. Reese needed to unglue his tongue from the roof of his mouth first. He wasn't expecting this, but neither was Damien.

Damien spoke first. "Look, I know I can't give you want you want but I want you to be happy. Can I meet him?"

"Ah, no." Reese jerked his head up realizing what he'd said, but then realizing the truth behind those words. It was logical to think that having his current boyfriend meet the man he had more than a simple crush on for a long time, it would probably lead to chaos. Who really knew, except, it was too soon.

Reese and Aden needed to get through a lot of talking first. They had to start... well, Reese wasn't sure exactly where and when they'd start. Were they together now? What about dealing with his painfully homophobic parents? Was Reese truly over Damien? Well, he didn't want to jump into Damien's arms this very moment, or expect Damien to rush into his.

The feelings were still there. Not as much, his heart probably would never fully shift its love for Damien.

"Let's take a short walk then?" Damien was starting to look like he didn't know what to do with himself. His hands were in his pockets, coal eyes locked with his matching pair. Many would agree they would make a beautiful couple, Reese still wholeheartedly agreed.

"Sure, ok." Turned out Reese did have questions after all. Like what really went down at the lake house with... Eric? Was Reese still jealous over their starstricken love? He couldn't really say. Everything was happening too fast.

Damien still looked the way Reese remembered. The same tanned skin, but it looked a couple shades darker. His hair had grown out a little bit. His lips remained the same. Oh, the times he used to fantasize about this lips on his. He had the perfect matching lips that could kiss him into oblivion.

Damien might have noticed Reese staring at his lips that he almost took a step back. Even in the dark of the hallway, Reese could still see everything clearly.

"First let me check with," Reese almost said the name, "you know."

Reese didn't linger any longer, he opened the door wide enough for him to squeeze through. Aden was sitting up on the bed, back against the wall, feet aimed up with his legs flat on the bed. He was wearing a guarded expression, watching Reese squeeze through the doorway before shutting it behind him.

"It's him, isn't it?" He said. Wistful? Bitter? Reese couldn't say. There was still too much uncertainty around them.

Reese figured it was better off telling the truth. "Yeah." He took a big breath before letting it all out. "Yeah, yeah it is." He pressed his lips together, eyes begging for some understanding.