“Have you both lost your minds?” Tossing one towel over the top of Declan’s head, he used another to wrap around Reece’s shoulders. Their clothes were drenched and clinging to their bodies. Reece was trembling but giving Nick his undivided attention.
“You’ve been ignoring us,” Reece said, head tilted down but eyes up on Nick’s face.
Nick scoffed, using the other towel to dry Reece’s face, ears, and hair for him in a feeble attempt to brush away the guilt threatening to crush him.
“Why didn’t you tell us—”
“Declan. I don’t want to talk about it.” Nick was surprised his voice didn’t waver, because for the first time since his parents had passed, he wanted to cry. His eyes were stinging.
“Then we won’t talk about it,” Declan said.
“We’re here for you, Nicky.”
Reece’s hand was cold and clammy, but so soft and reassuring that it was breaking him. Bright blue eyes full of genuine care and pure love had him unable to move. He just stared back until Reece’s wobbling lips turned blurry, tears welling in his eyes, which Nick blinked away at the same time his friends threw their arms around him.
They didn’t let go for a long time, but once the three of them were dry and dressed in some of Nick’s clothes, Declan raided the refrigerator for food and Reece followed Nick to his room. It was the first time Reece had ever been in his room, and Nick didn’t know why, but he kept watching Reece, curious for his reaction.
“It smells like you in here.”
“What’s that mean?”
The room must’ve been boring for a guy like Reece, who had more personality and style than he knew what to do with. Nick had a big room, but the furniture was basic aside from his beanbag, TV, and games. It was neat except for the shoes that wouldn’t fit in his closet scattered about.
“It smells good,” Reece said with a huff as if it was obvious. “Like that lotion you always use and deodorant. You’re one of the cleanest and best-smelling guys I know—it’s one of the things I like about you.”
The desire to ask about the other things Reece liked about him didn’t make it out of Nick’s head because Declan came in, arms and mouth full of snacks that wouldn’t last the three of them any time. He had a bag of chips, three sandwiches, a bowl of fruit and a plate full of cookies. The fact that he had a gallon of milk tucked against his chest with his arm had Nick’s brow arching.
Reece took the plate of sandwiches and the cookies from Declan and Nick had no idea how he carried it all without dropping anything. He sat down on his beanbag, watching them silently. His right hand clutched the side of his shorts as Reece sat right next to him as if he didn’t want a single inch of distance between them.
“Thanks for the snacks, Nicky,” Reece said, holding up the plate of sandwiches for Nick with a sweet smile.
Nick took one of the sandwiches for himself, studying Reece’s face wordlessly, noting the puffiness around his eyes and the redness around his nose. He’d been crying, and Nick hated knowing that it was because of him, but he loved seeing the relief in Reece’s eyes now—loved looking into them and seeing Reece’s affection for him staring back. The way he was smiling so genuinely now, comforting Nick with ease, Nick didn’t think he’d ever been cuter.
“Is that a smile?” Declan said and then there was a click from his phone’s camera and Nick’s smile shifted to a glare directed at his idiot friend.
“Don’t tease Nicky while he’s eating!” Reece chided him, one arm protectively winding around Nick’s back, his other arm hugging Nick’s left. He wasn’t normally so close and clingy but Nick liked it. Maybe a little too much. “But send that to me.”
Clicking his tongue, Nick nudged Reece by swaying into him and the three of them laughed. They ate every bite in between rambling and watching videos together on their phones then ended up playing 2K. Nick hadn’t been in the mood to play, but he wasn’t about to let Declan beat him, especially with Reece watching excitedly and cheering him on.
Well into the night, Reece ended up curled up on the beanbag next to Nick, sleeping soundly while he and Declan stayed up, mostly keeping quiet so they wouldn’t disturb Reece, but Declan kept looking at Nick like he had a lot on his mind and plentyto say. Nick, however, had finally stopped thinking so much and was able to relax.
“Just spit it out, Declan,” Nick said, voice low, but his eyes still swept over Reece to make sure he hadn’t woken him.
“It’s nothing, just…” He scratched the back of his head and then palmed at his face, his full lips pursing. “You know you have us always, right? Don’t shut us out.”
Nick felt his whole face fall and he looked at Reece again, dragging his teeth over his wobbling lower lip when he noticed Reece’s fingertips clutching the hem of Nick’s shirt, holding on even in his sleep. He didn’t want to shut them out and he didn’t want to hurt them, but things didn’t get easier with time.
3
Chapter 3 – Reece
Things were never the same after Nick’s parents died. It went without saying that Nick changed, but honestly it affected all of them in different ways. Reece had never seen Nick hurting at all. He was always winning, always having fun, always so carefree, but now he was quiet, his smile had faded, and his drive had undoubtedly cooled off. The rest of the summer was spent in mourning, and the start of their senior year in high school was nothing like the three of them had been imagining the last few years.
It was too quiet, too lonesome. Even when Reece was with Nick, he was missing him, longing for his smile, his teasing, and more quality time with him. It wasn’t the same anymore. Nick was pulling away from him and Reece couldn’t stand it—it made him feel helpless. Hopeless. He was standing in the gym before practice, staring at Nick across the court who was dribbling a ball in place, a white towel draped over his head, shielding hisface from Reece. Nick never used to keep his distance from Reece, so it hurt to experience it but Reece tried not to take it to heart.
“Nicky?” He approached cautiously, calling out to him before he was too close since he was well aware of how on edge Nick had been lately. It was still true, judging by the way Nick flinched before turning to face him.
“What’s up?”
