"Josh" Theo laughed "I seriously have to go now. I have to go to work" he giggled softly as Josh wrapped his arms around Theo's waist.
"But you're at work" Josh laughed.
"True. But the paper trail only lists Halefire" Theo paused for a second before adding "for tax purposes."
Josh laughed low and almost sleepy. Theo could get lost in it. He and Josh had been spending too many days together. Way more than any client should. Theo had his rules. He never broke them. Breaking them was unsafe. Too risky.
However...
What's life without a little risk?
He's already a prostitute. Could life get any riskier than that?
The answer is no.
Josh has already broken the no-kiss rule.
The three days max rule.
Theo has even been to Josh's house...
And... Josh knows his real name...
Josh has even met a few of his friends...
In passing.
Completely unintentional.
This morning, Theo woke up in Josh's bed.
Josh had someone make breakfast in the kitchen while they laid in bed. Theo felt a little weird about it, though. It felt not only very domestic, but also completely against his nature to make someone do something that he was perfectly capable of doing.
"You know I am actually a pretty decent cook."
"Oh? Well maybe next time I'll see for myself" Josh smiled a genuine smile. One that made Theo's stomach do flips.
Next time.
The thought made Theo nervous. It's creeping into dangerous territory. Situationship territory. He hasn't even been speaking much to anyone. He'd even stopped talking to Liam and they had been having regular sleepovers...
It was just supposed to be business.
Just business.
But he couldn't see it that way.
How could he think straight when Josh was wrapping him up in his arms and tracing his fingers all the way up and down his body. His arms and then his back. Josh's fingers went through Theo's hair and... it was so gentle. It was the most gentle anyone has ever been towards him.
Of course he didn't want to give it up, but he also knew he would lose it at any moment. Josh would find someone who wasn't so damaged. He would want someone who wasn't making a living this way...
They had been in bed like this all day long, laying sweet and silent and perfect. Theo was happy, but his thoughts still trailed back. The fact that Josh was paying for this. Paying for Theo to be basically in a relationship with him.
It wasn't real.
That didn't mean it didn't feel real.
It was starting to make Theo feel sick.
"What are you thinking about" Josh asked lazily and smiled as he kissed Theo on his temple.
"The fact that I have to be at work and I don't even have time to go home and change now thanks to you" Theo laughed and nudged Josh and then kissed him on his wrist that had been wrapped near to his chest.
Another thing Theo had never done after his abuse was let someone sleep in the same room as him...
Along with staying at a house that wasn't his...
No one was an exception...
No one except Liam...
And now... Josh.
What is WRONG with me?!
Theo would wonder sometimes if even having Liam stay over was a bad idea. He really cared for Liam... for whatever reason... immediately... and to Theo, that was dangerous.
Hell.
For most people that would be at the very least questionable.
But Theo never cared for people. He never trusted them enough to care for them. He knew the crew at Halefire long before he ever met Brett.
Now there's Josh...
But is there?
They have a business deal... but it feels like more. It was just sex at first. It wasn't cuddling and sleepovers and breakfast...
"Hey are you ok?" Corey asked after a few hours into their shift. Obviously Theo had been preoccupied.
"Yeah why what's up?"
"Oh you know. Just work. I'm sure you've heard of it. It's the place we're currently at."
"Right" Theo laughed and took in a deep breath. What was I supposed to be doing again?
"Just grab the food from the back and bring it out dude. I got the bar" Corey laughed and pat a hand on his shoulder.
Another hour and Theo was finally getting out of his head. He even jumped to the bar for Corey's lunch and when they got backed up. He started handling things pretty normally.
That was until Mason came in.
"Heey- Did Liam get off early?"
"Iii don't know. Why?" Theo replied, but not as worried as Mason seemed to be.
"He said you were picking up from work?" Mason's eyes were bugging now and Theo seemed a little worried, but not too presumptuous.
"He probably got a ride from someone else" Corey chimed in from behind the bar.
"Yeah. Maybe he just didn't wanna bother you." Theo added.
"Someone he felt like he had to lie about and cover up?"
"Mason don't be so drama-" Corey got cut off.
"Who could Liam possibly think he'd have to hide from me? We're best friends." Mason practically flailed his arms in his distress which added to the drama.
Theo looked at Mason and chuckles lightly as he pours another drink for a customer.
"It's not funny. Have you even brought him home at all this week?" Mason looked more serious.
Almost accusing.
There was an unease in what Mason said because even Theo could attest to how close they were. And why would Theo be his excuse? It could just be someone he doesn't know, right?
Then a thought dawned on Theo.
Brett.
But it couldn't be... right?
"I'm gonna have to cut it in half tonight, Cor."
"Oh yeah? Be careful."
"Thanks."
Theo hoped he was wrong and that Liam hadn't let Brett set foot in his house or even let him know where he lived.
Still...
Theo went straight for Liam's house. The traffic was god awful and it took longer than it should have but Theo made it in one piece. When he did, he saw a vehicle in the yard that certainly did not belong to Liam. Everything in Theo hoped it was Liam's parents. Anyone but Brett.
Theo knocked on the door and then when he didn't get an answer he rang the doorbell. Did the doorbell even work? He didn't know. He didn't even care at this point. He hated to do this in case he would be crossing a boundary, but this was a possible emergency.
Theo took the key out that Liam had given him for his birthday, it made Theo smile thinking about it. No one had ever given him something so thoughtful and personal.
He unlocked the door and closed it, not too loud as to be slamming it, but not too quiet as to seem like he was sneaking in. He tried to make his presence known without making it a show.
When he didn't get a response he went swiftly to Liam's room and when he saw what he did, he felt sick.
"WHAT the FUCK?!" Theo heard himself say before he could even stop himself.
He watched Liam throw Brett off of him and almost into the floor when he heard Theo's voice.
He tried to explain himself, and then Brett interrupts with some twisted bullshit about experimenting and how Theo still had a claim? What the fuck was he talking about? Whatever. It doesn't matter. Liam still knew it would be crossing a line and he did it anyway. "Liam... I trusted you..."
The words hurt to say, but what hurt even more was Liam's face when he heard them. Theo wanted to instantly take them back. As soon as he feels bad about what he's said, Brett starts spouting back some shit that Theo isn't even listening to and then he heard Liam say something.
It was quiet and weak, almost like he was in a trance. "I gave him a key..."
Theo wanted to hug Liam. Wrap him up and apologize, but Brett's being there wasn't helpful. It reminded Theo of why they were never good for each other in the first place.
Finally, Brett says something smart and decides to leave. Theo takes a few moments to collect himself and before he can say or do anything, Liam is trying to speak.
Theo can't let him.
He will lose his nerve.
He needs to get this out or he will become the person he fought so hard to keep from becoming.
He'll be weak.
A pushover.
Spineless.
He'll turn into the person he was before.
"Liam. You're more than welcome to befriend or date whoever you want. I will never judge you... but if you're gonna be in his life... then I can't be in yours..."
It has to be clear or he would assume he can bring Brett around and Theo can't have Brett around.
Brett hurt him. Physically and emotionally.
He worried about Liam. He didn't want that for him. However, Theo had spent all these years reconstructing himself that he couldn't afford not to worry about himself.
He cared about Liam, but... there was something about Liam.
The kid was tougher than he looked and definitely tougher than Brett.
Theo looked back at Liam and Liam was welling up. His face and eyes were red with tears and sadness and frustration. Liam didn't say anything. Theo hadn't let him say anything thus far, so Liam probably wouldn't try.
With that thought in mind, Theo turned to take his leave, however he was caught by his wrist.
"I fucked up" Liam said as tears slowly started streaming down his face.
Theo turned around but he didn't say anything. He was ready to let Liam talk.
"I did something bad... I'm sorry... but you don't understand! You don't know what I'm dealing with! I had a girlfriend that was living everywhere but with me! I love Mason, but when I really need him lately, he's with Corey! I like Corey and all, but it's like... I need my best friend sometimes! Especially with... this... Theo, I might be GAY and nobody is even available, emotionally or otherwise..." Liam gave Theo a look that made it obvious he was not only talking about Mason.
Theo was the one that Liam had even talked to and asked questions to...
That's how you know...
His own words ringing in his ears...
Liam trusted Theo as much as he trusted Mason. They were also best friends. Theo's stomach turned now. He wanted to apologize for being so wrapped up in... everything...
"Look. Liam I'm sor-"
"No! You don't get to apologize. You wouldn't even know what you were apologizing for!"
"I-" Theo exhaled sharply and took a few moments before adding "you're right."
Liam's expression dropped significantly.
"Theo... I didn't mean for anything to happen with Brett... We just started talking... He wanted to tell me his side of the story and..." he didn't want to say anything about how Brett could see the hurt when Theo walked in with Josh. It was exactly what he was trying to avoid. "And he just listened to me talk about the shit on my mind. I just needed someone who would be there and honestly, what else was he doing? He doesn't exactly have friends-"
"Yeah! And you very well know why!"
"LISTEN TO ME!" Liam yelled at Theo who started looking fragile again... "He was there anyway so I just... talked. It turned into a ride home when you guys were too busy... and then... one became several... until we kissed and then I stopped even talking to anyone... I didn't know what to do or how to feel. It was pivotal and it was with a guy I'm supposed to hate! It's not exactly something I felt like I could tell you guys!"
Liam had gotten worked up again. Theo could tell this was more than just the Brett of it for Liam.
"I'm sorry Liam. I should have been the one to be there for you..." Liam had practically come out to Theo in way of playing twenty questions about his sexuality. "You should have never felt like Brett was your only option.
"It wasn't like that..." Liam said quiet, almost inaudibly.
"What do you mean?"
"I didn't think of him as my only option."
Theo thought about this before replying. Maybe he wasn't getting it?
"I just mean if he made you feel like-"
"He didn't manipulate me into this Theo..."
Theo was at a loss. Liam wasn't about to freely kiss Brett unless Brett persuaded him into it. How could Liam think for one second-
"I can actually think for myself. More than people seem to give me credit for" Liam said with a venomous whisper.
Theo had had enough. He felt bad for Liam but he was really tired of Brett getting his way, especially now...
"Like I said. You're free to do as you please. I just can't have you in my life if he's in yours."
Liam looked at Theo with anger and shock and finally his facial expression was... grim? As if this really was a definitive moment and replies with a single tear streaming down his cheek, "fine."