Liam went into work the next morning. Blank. Sleepless. A zombie. He was in a weird standing with Theo and he didn't want to do anything to piss him off. He'd heard of this thing from Scott, regression to the mean, he didn't really understand it fully, but he felt like this was what he meant. He and Theo were at a standstill and he didn't want it to go anywhere that meant he'd lose his friend over something stupid. He didn't really understand himself why he'd impulsively kissed Theo. It wasn't as if the situation called for it. It was just like going to the movies with anyone else.

"Something on your mind, handsome?"

Why?...

"Brett. You do know this is bordering dangerously close to harassment. I'm sure prison wasn't fun for you."

"A little birdy told me you and Theo had a date last night."

"Excuse me? Since when is hanging out after work a date?"

"When you are desperately into each other."

Liam wants to roll his eyes, but he has been harping on the idea of his sexuality being more fluid than he had originally thought. He's always thought 'oh that guy is more/less attractive than ' but it wasn't ever something he really considered. He never really thought about himself with another guy. He still doesn't. It seems to just be Theo that makes him question everything. Is that a thing?

"Whatever, Brett. You don't have any clue about our friendship, nor do you have a say in it. Now, if you don't leave me alone, I'll be forced to report you."

"Aww. It's sweet. How much you defend him. You don't even know him."

"Well from what I gather, neither do you. Not anymore. You've been gone long enough that he's been able to grow and change without being hindered by your sorry ass. I don't have to know what kind of relationship you two had to know that you were obviously a garbage partner and friend."

"Oh my god. He really does have you under his spell."

"No. I just know that you wouldn't be so desperate to make me hate him if you didn't do something completely disgusting."

"That's what he told you huh? Well I'd rethink-"

"No. Your arrest record is public domain. You are a registered sex offender."

Brett's face went from smug to reticent.

"I'm guessing that's why you have to live in a hotel. You don't have many options when you have to live with that hanging over you. Especially in a small town like Beacon Hills."

"You have no idea what you're talking about" Brett growled with warning. "Your friend is the whore and you're judging me about something you don't have any clue about. He lied to the cops and set me up because someone felt sorry for him or wanted him so they took me away from him. I loved him."

"You assaulted him! You don't get put in prison for loving someone. I saw your mugshot! You didn't even look sorry!"

"There was nothing to be sorry for! I didn't do anything! He was the one who wanted to live this life that I was trying to keep him from. I was trying to protect him."

They both spoke with hostility, but whispered so not to cause a scene. Liam didn't need to get fired for arguing with a guest and Brett didn't want to draw attention.

"You're delusional. I think you really believe you're right."

By the time lunch came around, Liam was over it. The thing with Theo. The thing with Brett. Theo wasn't going to blame Liam for the night before. It wasn't really even a kiss. It was an emotional inebriated impulse. It's normal, and Liam wouldn't think about it as anything more. Neither should Theo. Especially knowing about his history with Brett...

But...

Maybe that's why he got so irritated...

Oh my god I really am a garbage friend... Brett assaulted him! Now I'm just as gross!

Liam pulled out his phone to text Mason.

I'm a shitty friend -L

It's too early for this -M

Brett sexually assaulted Theo -L

Yes. We went over this. What does that

Sorry. Accidentally hit send

Waht's that got to do with you

What's* -M

What if Theo thinks I'm JUST LIKE Brett?!

When I tried to kiss him last night

He seemed mad -L

Didn't he text you back tho sayonh he WASN'T mad?

Saying*

Autocorrect just idn't working for me today /

Isn't* -M

It was true. Theo sent Liam a goodnight text with emoji and everything. Maybe he was overthinking it. Still he felt like he'd needed to talk to Theo about it.

He did. But maybe he was just trying to let me down easy -L

If he really was THAT upseyt about it he definitely wouldn't have even said anything -M

Upset* -L

No. I'm declaring it a new word. Fukk autoocorrect! -M

Liam couldn't help but laugh. He had this issue when it was time for him to get a new phone. It's funny to see Mason get aggravated over something so simple for once.

Thanks Mase. You're the best -L

Goodnight -M

It's literally noon -L