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Tim didn’t know why he even agreed to go to this stupid party. He didn’t even know whose party it was, only that he was on their porch, smoking his third cigarette of the night.
The house was thumping with music, but thankfully, outside was much quieter. The cool breeze was nice on an otherwise warm night. Nonetheless, he was still tried of being there.
The screen door slammed open. There was a thud, thud, thud, of someone’s footfalls on the wooden stairs, then Brian plopped down next to him.
“Thought I’d find you out here.” He said, grinning.
Tim blew cigarette smoke in response.
“Come inside. Have a drink or two! You’re at a party, let’s have fun.” Brian nudged his friend good-naturedly.
“Who’s gonna drive us home if I drink?” he asked, rolling his eyes.
“Me, I’m the DD tonight!” Brian jumped up, holding a hand out for his friend. His voice became softer. “You should loosen up a little, I worry about you.”
After a beat of hesitation, Tim took his hand. Brian lugged him upright and slapped a palm down on his shoulder. His smile grew across his face, and with a twinkle in his eye he led Tim back into the house.
Tim had a sinking feeling that he was going to regret this.
. . .
Tim was halfway through his second rum and coke, and he was feeling a nice buzz, his face slightly warm. Maybe this party wasn’t so bad after all. He was keeping mostly to himself, as socializing wasn’t something he was particularly interested in, especially if Brian wasn’t right there to lead the conversation.
Speaking of Brian, he was playing bartender at the kitchen counter. Making drinks for anyone who wanted one, though keeping to his word and never having one for himself. Brian took the safety of his friends very seriously. He often stayed at the party late, making sure everyone had a ride home or a place to sleep.
“Hey Brian!” Tim looked to the archway leading into the kitchen to see Alex enter.
“Oh, hey Alex! What can I get for ya?” Brian leaned over the counter, eyes half lidded.
Tim rolled his eyes for the second time that night, sure it would not be the last. Brian’s crush on Alex was no secret to anyone, except Alex, of course. He was completely oblivious to Brian’s flirting, much to Brian’s dismay.
“Actually, I came to make sure you don’t give Jay any more alcohol. He’s buzzed now, but any more and he’ll be a mess. He’s so small, y’know? Can’t handle too much.” He informed Brian.
Tim’s throat tightened at the mention of Jay, reminding him of the pitiful feelings he’d harbored for the man since he was first introduced to him. Maybe his judgment of Brian was hypocritical, but at least he never made those eyes at the subject of his affection. At least, he didn’t think he did.
“Oh, yeah, I get it. Listen, if you and Jay need a ride later, my car’s open. It’s just me and Tim as of now.” Concern was evident in Brian’s offer.
“Oh, Tim? Jay’s gonna love that.” He glanced over to where Tim was leaning against the wall, a scheming glint in his eye.
What was that supposed to mean? He hated the way his heart raced in his chest.
“I’d like that too,” Alex laid his hand on top of Brian’s. Brian seemed to melt.
Gross. Seemed like Alex finally noticed the flirting. He pointedly looked away, trying to shake the odd look Alex had given him before.
“Hey guys, you wanna play truth or dare?” Someone Tim didn’t recognize popped their head into the kitchen. “A few of us are playing in the living room!”
“Oh hell yeah!” Brian leapt over the counter, sticking the landing right in front of him. “Let’s go!”
“Do I have to? Aren’t we a little too old to be playing truth or dare?” Tim’s protests didn’t mean much to his friend, as he was already being dragged toward the living room.
“C’mon Alex, get Jay! We’re all playing!”
. . .
The game had started out oddly fun for Tim, much to his own surprise.
Before the game started, he had spotted Jay moving toward the group of people playing. He made eye contact, but he looked away quickly, his heart beat a little too fast for it’s own good.
“Uh, Tim? Mind if I sit here?” Jay pointed to the spot next to him.
“Uh, no, go for it.”
“Are you having fun?” Jay asked politely after settling down on the floor next to him.
“I guess,” Tim replied. “I’m not really a party person, but it’s been okay. You?”
Jay looked away, humming softly. “I’m just drunk enough that my anxiety isn’t killing me for talking to you. So, yeah. I’m having fun.”
“That’s good. Wait, what?” Tim’s eyebrows shot up.
“Let’s start the game!” someone yelled, shutting down their conversation.
First up was Brian being dared to come up with a dance to the current song playing. It was about as good as Tim had expected. Then, Jessica had to whisper something dirty to the person next to her, that being Amy. Amy screeched with laughter, but wouldn’t tell anyone what she said.
A few other dares came and went, none being too memorable, but still enjoyable. Tim cracked a few jokes over what was going on to Jay, and Jay would laugh and tell his own. Jay’s hand was in between the two of them, and Tim had to keep himself from laying his own on top.
When it was Tim’s turn, he chose dare. He was made to sing the chorus that last thing he had listened to before the party. Much to Tim’s chagrin, it was Life is a Highway by Rascal Flatts. He started off quiet, and went red when everyone started giggling. Then people started joining in, scream singing the lyrics. By the time he was done, he was doubled over laughing.
“You’re pretty good, Tim.” Jay nudged him, between breathless chuckles.
“Thanks.” Tim responded, a goofy smile on his face.
Then it was Alex’s turn, and he had to tell everyone about his first kiss. It was bad. His girlfriend at the time threatened to break up with him right in the middle of high school homecoming. As Alex told the story, he was obviously embarrassed, ears turning red.
“He did get better!” a girl from the other room shouted.
“It was you?!” someone else yelled. The room erupted in laughter, including Alex himself.
Tim felt comfortable and warm inside. The night was going much better than he had expected, and he was thoroughly enjoying himself. That was until Jay’s dare happened.
“Okay, okay. Jay,” Alex said, getting everyone’s attention. “I dare you...to ask the person out on your right.”
Jay went extremely still, like a deer in headlights.
“You don’t have to,” Tim murmured to him quickly, panic rising in his chest. “Just take the chicken.”
“Chicken is to prank call one of your professors.” Alex proclaimed.
Those words caused a huge uproar, with everyone talking over one another excitedly.
Jessica lifted her eyebrow at Jay. “Just do the dare. Prank calling a professor could get you in serious trouble. There’s no harm in asking someone out.”
Says you.
“Alright, I’ll do it!”
Everyone in the room goes quiet, though there’s still the dull sound of the other partygoers in other parts of the house. Tim glanced at Jay, who looked as though he was seeing a ghost.
“Hey, uh- Hey Tim,” Jay started. “I just wanna say, I’ve been having a really good time at this party, with you.” He laid his hand on Tim’s forearm gently. “And I’ve been thinking about you-I mean, I’ve liked you for a really long time.”
Tim’s heart was thumping so loud he thought everyone in the room could probably hear it. He want to look away, to run, but he felt caught, captured by Jay and the people watching them.
Jay leaned in closer. “You wanna get out of here?” he said quietly. The obvious discomfort on Jay’s face mixed with what he was saying and doing made Tim’s heart break.
He flew up onto his feet, causing Jay to flinch and fall back.
“I can’t do this.”
Tim fled. He felt his breath catch in his throat; his chest tight. He pushed his way out of the living room, through the kitchen, and out the back door.
“Tim!” Brian called out to him, but Tim didn’t respond.
He gulped down the air outside, trying to calm his erratic heartbeat.
“Tim!” this time Brian’s voice was much closer, his hand touching Tim’s shoulder lightly. Tim smacked it away.
“Did you tell Alex? Is that why he dared Jay to do that?!” he spat out, remembering the odd look Alex gave him earlier that night.
Brian’s face changed from concerned to hurt, almost stricken. “Tim, you know never go behind your back like that, you’re my best friend.”
Tim turned away, running a hand through his hair. “You’re right. I’m sorry, I’m just-I’m kind of freaking out. Alex had to of known-“
“He didn’t!” Brian insisted. “Plus, he isn’t that type of person to do that.”
“Whatever. It doesn’t matter.” He sighed and walked over to sit on a bench that was nestled between a few trees. “Do you know how much that sucked? I’ve wanted Jay to say something like to me for ages. But for real. I didn’t want it to be some stupid dare. And he looked so, so, pained. Like it hurt to even think about asking me out.”
Brian sat down next to him silently.
“I know I’m overreacting. And I probably made everything worse by storming out like that.”
“Probably.” Brian answered honestly. “But Tim, I think you should talk to Jay.”
“No, no, no. No way. After the way he looked at me? I’m probably never going to speak to him again.” Tim grimaced.
“No, you need to, really! How you look right now, that’s what Jay looked like when you ran out. I think he’s upset that you’re upset.” He paused. “Plus, you’re gonna have to endure a car ride with him, so you might as well clear the air now. I’ll vouch for you and say you came out here to throw up and it had nothing to do with him, if you want.”
“Nothing to do with who?” Jay called out, standing in the door frame nervously.
Both Brian and Tim hopped up.
“Hey, Jay.” Brian’s smile didn’t meet his eyes. “I’m gonna give you guys some privacy.” He pushed past Jay politely.
“Tim, look, I’m-”
“It’s whatever. We can just forget it happened.” Tim’s gaze stayed firmly to the ground.
“No, Tim. I’m sorry. I didn’t know that would upset you. I know the thought of dating me probably isn’t the best-”
Tim scoffed. “What are you talking about?” He finally looked up at the other man. Jay flinched, as if Tim’s question hurt him.
“That’s why you’re upset with me, right? Why would anyone want to date Jay Merrick?” He said his own name with disdain, face looking seconds away from crumbling.
“You’re-Jay, seriously, what are you talking about? I’m upset because the person who I have an insane crush on pretended to ask me out in front of like 20 people!” He really didn’t mean for that to slip out, but he couldn’t stand it anymore. “Why would anyone want to date Jay Merrick? Why wouldn’t they? Anyone would be lucky to date you!” Tim was near shouting, but he didn’t care. He needed Jay to understand him.
“Tim…”
“I’m sorry,” Tim huffed out, sitting back down on the bench. After a moment, Jay followed suit.
“Tim, do you, uh, do you mean that?” Jay fidgeted with the brim of his hat, obscuring his face.
“I’m not a liar.” Tim laughed humorlessly.
“I didn’t mean-I just-” Jay sputtered. “I feel the same.”
The backyard was near silent and Tim’s world felt like it had just turned upside down. There were certain truths that Tim had always knew. The sky was blue, humans have 206 bones, and Jay Merrick would never feel the same way Tim felt about him.
Jay shattered that belief with four simple words.
“You...you feel the same?” Tim finally got out.
“Tim, I’m crazy about you.” Jay said shyly. “Alex dared me to ask you out because he knows how much I like you.”
“That was kind of shitty of him, don’t you think?” Tim deadpanned, even though his heart was racing.
“I mean, he knew I wouldn’t of done it on my own. He was just trying to help, in his own way.” Jay said meekly.
“Well, I don’t think I’m gonna forgive him for awhile,” Tim smiled. “Though finding out you like me makes me want to.”
“Tim,” Jay put his hand over Tim’s on the bench. “I know it was a dare, but I meant every word.” Jay’s face was so earnest it made Tim’s heart squeeze almost painfully. “So, would you give me a chance and go on a date with me?”
“Jay, I think you’re forgetting that I already like you back.” Tim was wholly enamored by the man sitting next to him. “Let’s skip the date and be together already.”
“You mean like….boyfriends?” Jay sounded so charmed by the idea that Tim had to laugh. “Stop! Why are you laughing?” Jay pushed at Tim playfully.
Tim took ahold of Jay lightly. “Because you’re kind of adorable.”
“Shut up.” Jay mumbled, smiling at him.
They went quiet, both looking at each other’s lips. They leaned closer to each other, mouths inches away from the others. Tim’s eyes slid shut and moved just a little closer, and closer still.
“Hey, you guys alright?” Alex’s loud voice shocked the both of them and they jumped apart. “Work everything out?”
“Yes, Alex.” Jay sounded annoyed. “Thank you. Now leave us alone, please. I’d like to kiss my boyfriend in peace.”
Tim was so damn proud to be his boyfriend.
“Fine, fine. We’re leaving in 20 minutes.” Alex waved and went back inside.
Once they were alone again, Jay turned to him, a soft smile on his face. “Now, where were we?”
Tim didn’t know why he even agreed to go to this stupid party, but as he kissed Jay, he was glad that he did.