Reece squinted at him and rubbed his nose. Alex might’ve been holding back on him, but Reece couldn’t be sure. “Dec, then?”
Declan might’ve been one of his best friends, but he was also Nick’s. Maybe Declan would share more with Alex than he would with Reece.
“No. Nicholas is a lot like me in that regard. He struggles with what he feels. Putting it into words isn’t easy.”
Reece knew that well. Nick didn’t share his feelings, he repressed them. Ivory was right, Nick knew that Reece loved him. That wasn’t a secret, whether he was in love with him or not. And even if Nick never said it, Reece knew he loved him too.
They cared about each other and wanted the best for each other. Reece felt that they were better together–he wanted to continue supporting Nick and being by his side forever–but if his support and love was better from a distance, then Reece would accept it.
“I know—why don’t we have a Fashion Disaster marathon pamper sesh.”
Ivory’s suggestion had Reece melting against him. “Really?” It sounded so amazing he could’ve started crying again.
“Totally! I’ll get the show ready.”
“Okay.” Reece stood with a small smile. “I’ll just shower super quick and bring out the pampering goods.”
“I’ll order pizza,” Alex said.
And for a little while, he was able to completely forget about Nick. He stopped worrying. Reece got clean and settled with his friends, watching one of his favorite shows, eating a comfortfood that just so happened to be Ivory’s favorite, and pampering himself with all the self care he’d been neglecting for days.
Ivory and Reece painted each other’s nails and then held Alex hostage, tag-teaming the task of painting his to match against his will. The genuine look of horror on his face at the result of his perfect black nails was so funny Reece and Ivory couldn’t stop laughing. The fact that Alex just continued to stare at his fingers and hold them as if he’d never be able to touch anything ever again only made it funnier.
They were up well into the night, Alex and Ivory sleeping over. That night, Reece didn’t dream and he slept well. And when he woke the next morning, sandwiched between Alex and Ivory on the pallet they made in the living room, Reece smiled and knew that everything was going to be okay.
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Chapter 32 - Nick
For Nick, the days blurred together. Time moved too fast. There was too much happening. He had too much shit to take care of, and while the distractions were needed and appreciated, he was just so fucking overwhelmed.
“You’re going with me. So you can stop with the fuckin’ silent treatment,” Nick said to Kent’s back.
It had been a week since Nick broke the news that he was ending things with Reece to Kent. It went about as badly as he anticipated. Maybe worse. Kent had come to love Reece, and he didn’t agree with Nick’s decision. He hadn’t even come around or checked in on Nick for three days, and since he’d been coming back over, all he did was prepare meals and leave them in the fridge for Nick to fend for himself.
For three days, when they ran into each other, Kent pointedly ignored him. Now that it had been a week, Nick was over it.
“I’m not happy about this shit either, but I did it for him.” At least, that’s what Nick had been telling himself. He’d always been selfish–especially when it came to Reece–but Nick hadneverwanted to be selfish when it came to Reece.
He would never expect Reece to put his own life and dreams on hold for him.
Kent finally looked at him, just to level him with a stare so cold Nick couldn’t believe it was coming from the gentle man who’d become like a father to him.
“I’m disappointed in you, Nicholas,” Kent said, the words as cold as his stare. They cut deep. “That’s all I’ve got to say about this. I will have my things packed and be ready for the move on Thursday, but just because I’m going with you doesn’t mean I need to speak. Since I have nothing nice to say, I’d prefer to maintain my silence.”
“I’m disappointed in me, too.” Nick nodded to himself. Even if Kent’s disappointment and distance hurt, he understood and respected it. “See you Thursday.”
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Chapter 33 - Reece
Alex:We made it. Hotel is nice. I’m going to nap now.
Reece:Sleep well
Perhaps in another lifetime, Reece could’ve been there with them. He wanted to be there with Nick like Alex was with Declan. Being left behind had been a fear of Reece’s for a long time. It’s why he worked so hard in high school to get better so he could keep playing with them. Basketball connected them, if nothing else could. Things had changed with Nick because of how close they’d gotten. Crossing the line meant they might not even be able to be friends anymore. Reece didn’t know since he couldn’t reach out to Nick. He didn’t know how to, or what Nick would think if he did.
Reece continued to work on himself, sending his polished portfolio to a few modeling agencies in New York. He’d worked hard on his portfolio and had been contacted by various agentsover the years, but Reece had preferences and dreams of his own. He wouldn’t settle.
