Page 10

8 JASON

Tapping his pen against his desk, Jason sighs heavily. He’s got a handful of game tapes he wants to go over before Friday’s game, but he’s feeling a little too restless to do that right now. Normally, the hour gap between the end of classes and the start of practice is when Jason finishes up work for his own classes or coaching stuff, but for some reason he can’t seem to focus today. He leans back in his office chair, staring at the ceiling when it occurs to him he hasn’t had an afternoon snack yet.

Vending machine calling his name, Jason rises from his desk and grabs his phone off the corner, jingling the quarters in his pocket as he makes his way towards the cafeteria. There’s a vending machine near the gym that’s a little closer, but he knows from personal experience that by Wednesday that one is in desperate need of restocking. That won’t happen until tomorrow, so he makes the longer trek across campus, hoping for a very specific snack. Specifically one that is flat and shaped like a Pop-Tart.

Fifteen minutes later, Jason rips open his Pop-Tart and eats the first one in three bites before he slows down on the second. When he finishes, his stomach feels better, but he’s still a little restless. He makes his way to the front office to see if Mabel needs help with anything, but stops when he spots Mr. Caldwell inside already talking to her.

Change of plans then. Turning, he walks back the way he came, plopping himself on one of the benches and withdrawing his phone. He swipes up, unlocking the home screen before opening his contact list. Theo is at work and never answers his phone while there, and Charlie never answers his phone period. Alec usually answers, but Jason’s pretty sure Wednesdays are his long day on campus, which leaves Andrew. Perfect.

Tapping his brother’s name he waits, listening to the rings. On the fifth, he’s sure he’s going to be sent to voicemail when the phone stops and a familiar voice drifts over the line.

“Jason? What’s wrong?”

“Why would you assume something is wrong?”

“You never call me.”

“What are you talking about? I talk to you all the time.”

Andrew pauses. “Yeah, in the group chat or when we hang out with everyone else. You almost never call me.”

“Sure I do.” Jason protests. He leans forward, frowning. “Wait, never?”

“Is something wrong, or was everyone else busy?” Andrew asks, avoiding the question.

“I can just wanna call my big brother,” Jason says, a little stab of guilt in his gut at Andrew’s assumptions.

“Oh.” Andrew sounds surprised, which only makes Jason feel even worse.

“You’re not busy, are you?” Jason asks, realizing he doesn’t know Andrew’s schedule as well as the rest of his brothers.

“Nothing that can’t wait. I was just running some numbers.” He listens to the sound of Andrew rapidly typing. “There, I saved my data, just in case. What’s up?”

“I just wanted to talk,” Jason tells him. “How are things with you?”

“Same as always. Well, except for Charlie being weird as shit.”

“Charlie’s always weird,” Jason points out.

“Yeah, but like weirder. He’s cranky as fuck.”

“Is he still upset about Theo and Alec getting engaged?”

“I don’t think so. You know it took him a long time to get over things right after the accident, but he and Theo are in a decent place now. It’s definitely something else, but he’s not telling me.”

“That is weird,” Jason concedes, unsure he can recall the twins ever keeping anything from each other.

“I’ll figure it out, don’t worry. I can handle it.”

“I wasn’t?—”

“How are things with you?” Andrew interrupts, before Jason can get a full sentence out.

“I’m good.”

“Cut the bullshit. What’s wrong?”

“How the fuck do you do that? Do you have, like, mind powers?”

“I don’t need mind powers to know my baby brother. Something is on your mind. I can tell. Come on, spill.”

“There’s this guy,” Jason says, surprised at how easily that comes out. He’s not sure he even realized what was bothering him. Leave it to Andrew to parse it out in less than five minutes.

“I’m going to need more than that, Jason. Friend? Coworker?”

“Both,” Jason tells him. “He’s the new English teacher. He’s—great. He’s kind of quiet until he gets to know you then he talks a lot. Especially about things he likes, like Lord of the Rings. He’s sweet too, and he makes me laugh.”

The line goes so quiet that Jason thinks the call dropped. He turns his phone to look but the call is still connected.

“Andrew?”

“This guy,” Andrew prompts, “are you spending a lot of time together?”

“Well sure, we’re coworkers. He takes the bus in the mornings, so I wait for him in the parking lot, you know, just to make sure he gets there alright and see how he is. Oh, and we’ve started having lunch together a few days a week in my office. I’d do it every day, but sometimes I can’t make it because of coaching stuff. You know how busy the beginning of a new season can be. When that happens, I make sure and swing by his class at the end of the day to see how his day went. You know, normal coworker stuff.”

“Right.”

“Why did you say ‘right’ like that?” Jason frowns.

“I didn’t say it like anything.”

“You did. You had a tone.”

“I didn’t have a tone.”

Andrew definitely had a tone, but Jason doesn’t bother arguing. No one wins an argument with Andrew King. Not even Charlie. If any of the King boys could’ve been a lawyer like their parents, it's Andrew, but he’s always been a numbers man.

“Anyway, there’s just one little problem,” Jason sighs, only realizing now that he’s talking about it, how much it’s been bothering him.

“Which is?”

“Well you know how unreliable the buses can be here. Sometimes, a lot of times, they’re late, which obviously bothers Emerson.” When Andrew doesn’t immediately seem outraged Jason continues. “He likes when things are on time and predictable. He’s, well?—”

“I get it,” Andrew says, and Jason’s entire body relaxes. Of all his brothers, Andrew would be the one to understand.

“Then you see the big problem.”

“Not exactly.”

“The bus is late. I offered to give Emerson a ride to work every day so he won’t have to deal with that, and he hasn’t taken me up on it. Maybe I need to just offer again.”

“Or maybe he likes the bus.”

“He doesn’t like the bus,” Jason argues. “It’s crowded and loud.”

“Well then maybe he has another reason for not taking you up on the offer.” Andrew's tone shifts into that big brother one where he’s going to tell Jason something he doesn’t want to hear. “You know you can’t fix everyone’s problems. Maybe?—”

“Oh wow I have to go,” Jason blurts. “One of my players is waving me over.”

“Jason.”

“I’ll talk to you later, Andrew.”

“Alright but—you know I love you no matter what, right? That nothing could change that?”

It’s a weird thing to say right now, but Andrew has always been like that with Jason and Alec. Protective. Demonstrative. Making sure they’re okay.

“Sure, of course. I love you too,” Jason tells him, realizing maybe he doesn’t say it enough to Andrew. “I really do gotta go. He's coming over right now. Bye!”

Taking the chicken shit way out, Jason hangs up to avoid any other brotherly advice, pocketing his phone before heading back to his office. At least his conversation with Andrew made one thing clear: there is a problem, and Jason is determined to fix it somehow.

Emerson is his friend, and friends take care of each other. Jason is just being a good friend, nothing less and nothing more.

* * *

The conversation with Andrew lingers in the back of Jason’s mind. As much as he wants to barrel into the situation like he might with Theo or one of his brothers, he knows that approach won’t work with Emerson. He needs a gentler hand, a more patient approach. Jason doesn’t want to overstep either, hesitant to make Emerson uncomfortable, which is the only thing that holds him back.

Casually as he can, Jason drops hints about picking up Emerson on Thursday when the bus is late again. Emerson doesn’t pick up on it, so he tries again on Friday, but that too fails. By the following week when not even his hints over text on the weekend work, he realizes that direct communication is the only way to go with Emerson. Yet even knowing this, Jason hesitates, not wanting to put Emerson on the spot in case there is some reason he doesn’t want to ride with Jason.

Not that Jason can think of a good reason. He knows now without a doubt that Emerson doesn’t like the bus. He also knows Emerson enjoys his company because he’s taken to smiling when he sees Jason waiting by his truck in the mornings, which makes Jason very happy. That first smile from Emerson in the morning is enough to fuel him through the long day of teaching and practice.

Something about knowing he’s the only one on campus who gets Emerson’s unmasked smile, that he’s the one who Emerson shares lunch with and laughter with, makes Jason feel ten feet tall. He can’t quite understand why everyone else isn’t clamoring to hang out with Emerson when he’s so obviously the smartest, most interesting person on campus, but it’s their loss. Besides, Emerson has made it clear the only person he’s interested in spending prolonged periods of time with outside of his teaching is Jason, another thing that floods him with pride.

He might have plenty of friends at work, but none of those friendships come close to being as satisfying as the one he shares with Emerson. Somehow, over early morning conversations and shared lunches, Emerson has become someone Jason can’t imagine going a single day without talking to. Luckily for him, he doesn’t have to since they’ve easily fallen into a routine of texting at night when Jason gets home from practice and on the weekends when they don’t get to see each other at work.

It’s strange because it’s so unlike his friendship with Theo, not stronger or better just—different. Comparing his friendship with Emerson to the one with Theo is a train of thought Jason doesn’t want to go down. Mostly because it’s kind of confusing and he’d rather focus on things that are more tangible, like figuring out how to get Emerson to take him up on his offer to drive him to work.

Incidentally, this is exactly how Jason finds himself driving to work ten minutes after he would normally already be at work.

Nearing Emerson’s apartment building he taps his break, slowing his truck down enough that the person behind him lays on their horn within a nanosecond. They haul ass around him at which point Jason offers them a smile, only to receive a middle finger in return.

He slows down further, not wanting to pass the bus stop without being sure Emerson made it to work on time. Judging by the cluster of people milling around, he hasn’t. Flipping his blinker on, he pulls up to the curb a few car lengths back wanting to be positive. It only takes him a few seconds to spot the familiar head of red hair. Emerson’s hunched forward, leg bouncing as he taps on it. Jason slowly inches his truck forward to get a better look, catching sight of Emerson’s ear defenders pushing his hair off his face and highlighting the sharpness of his high cheekbones.

The sight of him makes Jason smile, though this is quickly followed by a wave of guilt. If Emerson is still here, then his bus is late. While it’s not going to make him late for work, it’s enough to mess with his schedule. This will be the fourth time this week it’s happened. Jason knows, even without Emerson complaining, because he waits for his arrival every morning.

Some of the people around him turn to stare, likely because Jason is now pulled halfway into the loading zone, but since the bus still isn’t here, he doesn’t care much. He waits a few seconds and is rewarded when Emerson lifts his head, meeting Jason’s gaze head on. There’s a flicker of surprise, then his lips turn up in the corner that way they do when he’s genuinely pleased and yeah, Jason feels ten fucking feet tall. This was definitely the right choice. He’s so glad he didn’t listen to Andrew.

Emerson rises from the bench, shouldering his bag and walking towards Jason.

“What a coincidence running into you here.”

The space between Emerson’s pale eyebrows furrows. “How is it a coincidence? Don’t you drive this way every day?”

“I do,” Jason confirms. Where he might tease Theo or his brothers, something infinitely softer comes out when he’s around Emerson. “Bus is late again.”

“It is,” Emerson sighs, turning to look down the street. There’s no sign of the bus.

“Let me give you a ride to work,” Jason offers, already leaning sideways to grab the handle. “Hop in.”

“Are you sure?” Emerson asks.

“I wouldn’t say it if I wasn’t sure,” Jason tells him. “Get in the truck, Emerson.”

This is clearly the right thing to say because Emerson hurries into the truck, tossing his bag on the seat for Jason to move before hefting himself inside. He stretches out his long legs, pushing his ear defenders off and around his neck before running a hand through his hair. It’s in absolute chaos this morning. It’s honestly kind of adorable.

“I swear I brushed it,” Emerson mumbles, patting it down.

“Your hair is too powerful, Pumpkin.”

Emerson splutters, opening and shutting his mouth several times.

“That another no?” Jason laughs, unsure why the sight of a faint blush on Emerson’s cheeks makes him want to come up with a million more nicknames. Much as he wants to settle on the right one, there’s something fun about his reactions to the ones Emerson dislikes. Especially now.

“I do not enjoy squash.”

“No squash, got it,” Jason says, trying and failing to keep a straight face.

“You’re laughing at me.”

“I mean, yes,” Jason admits, “but only because you’re kind of adorable.”

“What?”

“Adorable,” Jason repeats. “Surely people have told you that before?”

“I— no ,” Emerson hisses, buckling his seatbelt while Jason merges back into the flow of traffic. “That’s just…no.”

“Huh, they should. Or maybe pretty. That’s true too.”

The response to this comment is complete and utter silence, which has Jason stealing a glance at Emerson to find that the faint pink on his cheeks has darkened into a deep red that stains his cheeks and now trails down the line of his neck.

“Guys must’ve called you pretty before,” Jason continues, unable to comprehend anything but this being the truth. Hell, Jason is straight, and he can see plain as day that Emerson is gorgeous. Everything from his pale eyelashes and high cheekbones to the fullness of his lips, it all screams beautiful. Surely people have told him before. “Ex-boyfriends at the very least?”

Emerson mumbles something unintelligible.

“What?”

“No,” Emerson practically shouts. He looks embarrassed, fidgeting with his ring before adding, “I don’t—that is, ugh .”

When he groans loudly, Jason can’t help but worry that he’s fucked up. He’s never seen a problem complimenting people regardless of gender. Anyone who says men can’t offer compliments is full of shit as far as Jason is concerned. Except maybe Emerson doesn’t like to be complimented? Maybe he’s like Theo and is shy about it.

“Would you rather I didn’t say that again?” Jason asks. “I mean you are pretty, but if you don’t like compliments, you can just tell me to shut the fuck up.”

Emerson merely groans again. “I thought you were straight.”

“I am but, I have eyes, Emerson.” He grins, hoping to ease whatever it is that’s got Emerson sitting stiff as a board. “You deserve to be complimented. Unless you don’t like it, and then I’ll shut my big mouth. I might not know when to be quiet, but I’m definitely good at doing what I’m told.”

There’s half a beat of silence before Emerson says, “That’s not what Mabel told me.”

“Emerson Miller, how dare you and Mabel conspire against me.”

“I wasn’t,” Emerson says seriously.

“I know,” Jason says, reaching over to give his knee a squeeze. “I’m just teasing. And also, Mabel is correct. I was a bit of a shit in school, but not like a mean shit just—you know I had two older brothers I was constantly compared to at school, and I was kind of desperate for people to like me? Playing football, making people laugh and joking around got me the attention I was craving. It was nice to be seen outside of my brothers or my last name. Sometimes I maybe took it a little too far, but I was an idiot teenager.”

“I think teenagers by nature are kind of idiots.”

“Somehow I don’t think you were. I bet you didn’t get in any trouble, did you?”

“You’d be surprised,” Emerson says. “Turns out asking clarifying questions in class can be seen as argumentative.”

“If you can’t handle kids asking questions, you probably shouldn’t be a teacher,” Jason gripes, slowing his truck to turn into the school parking lot.

“I wish more people agreed with you,” Emerson sighs. “You’d be surprised how many people, including teachers, thought I was being disrespectful or argumentative because I asked questions for things that, apparently, I should’ve known the answer to.”

Emerson’s expression takes on an unfamiliar edge, his body language radiating discomfort in a way that makes Jason want to have a strong word with every person responsible for making Emerson feel this way.

“Seriously, fuck people who make kids feel bad,” Jason says, glad his windows are up so the students hovering nearby in the parking lot can’t hear him. He’s not in the mood to mince words right now. “The absolute biggest ‘fuck you’ to them.”

“It’s okay, Jason.”

“It’s not though.” Jason shakes his head, pulling into one of the teacher parking spots. He flips off the ignition but makes no move to get out. “My brother Alec was one of those kids that was a lot to handle, too fidgety and loud, always got in trouble for talking back. He was a good fucking kid, but he wasn’t built to sit in a square in kindergarten, or to have calm hands or a quiet mouth or whatever other ableist bullshit they spewed that made him feel so bad about himself. It pisses me the fuck off.” Jason takes a deep breath, not wanting to upset Emerson with his tirade but also unable to stop himself. “Adults should be there to support kids, not tear them down. So fuck anyone who made you think the way you processed information or what you needed was wrong.”

“Jason.”

“Fuck them, Emerson.”

“Okay,” Emerson whispers, staring at Jason with wide eyes and an unreadable expression.

“I’m sorry,” Jason says with every ounce of conviction he can muster. “It just makes me so mad. I think most people, most teachers are really fucking great, but there are always some who aren’t and—and they don’t matter. They’re not your people.”

“I’m not sure I have people,” Emerson says in a tone that sounds matter of fact, yet manages to threaten to break Jason’s heart into tiny little pieces. He wants to protect Emerson with a ferocity that takes him by surprise, the same kind of intense need he’d felt when he met Theo on the playground. Friendship isn’t as simple as it was back when he was a kid, and yet Jason can’t help but wonder why it can’t be. Emerson is great—sweet, smart and easy to be around. If he wants them to be friends, then he should make it happen.

“Come to my place on Saturday,” Jason blurts, an idea taking shape.

“Why?”

“Pizza,” Jason answers. “You like pizza right?”

“I like cheese pizza,” Emerson offers, the slightest tilt to his head, like Jason is something he doesn’t understand. Truth be told, Jason hardly understands himself right now. All he knows is that Emerson deserves people, and Jason has good people, the kind who would like Emerson just as much as Jason does if they got to know him, he’s sure of it.

“Good, then I’ll order cheese pizza, and you’ll come to my house. You can meet my dogs.”

“I like dogs.” Emerson sits just a little bit taller.

“You can meet Alec and Theo too.”

“Wait, what?” Emerson blinks.

“Theo and me have a weekly pizza night. Usually we do Friday nights, but during football season it gets moved to Saturdays. And now that Theo and Alec are together, Alec usually comes. Sometimes he’s hanging out with his friends or too busy studying, but I’m pretty sure he’s coming this weekend. We switch off weeks, and last weekend was at Theo’s place, which means this week is at my house, so it’s perfect.”

“Perfect,” Emerson utters like the word is entirely foreign to him. “You want me to meet your brother and your best friend? Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude or anything. I’m not…fun.”

“I think you’re fun,” Jason tells him.

“I dunno,” Emerson mumbles.

“You don’t have to,” Jason hurries, wanting to give him a choice. Yet once those words are out, they don’t sit quite right. He can’t explain why this is so important, only knows it is and while he doesn’t want Emerson to feel pressured, he really wants him there. “But it would make me really happy if you came.”

“You want me there?” Emerson asks as if there is actually a question.

The bell rings, but for once neither of them move, not even Emerson, though Jason knows he’s heard it.

“I really want you there,” Jason confirms. Then he waits.

Outside the truck, students are laughing and yelling as they hurry to class, but Jason is frozen, watching the slow rise and fall of Emerson’s chest before he nods. “Alright, I’ll come.”

* * *

Jason adjusts the couch pillows for the fourth time in the last fifteen minutes, giving Stella what he hopes is a very serious expression.

“You leave them alone this time now.”

Stella barks, leaping onto the couch and knocking the pillows to the floor. Jason sighs, giving up and gathering them up. He hasn’t been able to use couch pillows since he got Stella who, for reasons unknown to Jason, hates them. When it’s just Theo or his brothers, he doesn’t bother, but since Emerson is coming, he’d wanted the place to look nice.

He moves to the fireplace, stacking them in the corner when the knock at the front door comes. Surprised, he turns to look at the clock. It’s not even six yet, way too early for Alec and Theo. Maybe Emerson is early. That would give them some extra time together which would be nice. Between Friday night's game and Saturday morning practice he’s barely gotten to talk to Emerson in the last twenty-four hours. In fact, the only text he got today was a short reply letting him know Emerson is still coming.

Hurrying to the door, he yanks it open, ignoring Stella and Freddie’s excited barks. His wide grin turns to a frown. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

“You invited us,” Alec answers, shouldering his way in past Jason. “Unless you’re getting senile in your old age and forgot. So where is this mystery person? Are they here yet? That was a shitty welcome by the way. Maybe you need etiquette lessons. You want to practice before your company gets here?”

A knot of tension forms between Jason’s shoulders. Alec and Theo are always late. He expected them to be here a good twenty or thirty minutes after he told them. It was supposed to give him time to make sure Emerson is comfortable and give him a little tour.

“I didn’t forget. You’re just early.” Jason peers out the front door watching Theo walk up. He lifts his hands in silent question and Theo returns the gesture with a shrug. “Since when are you two early?”

“Since you invited someone to pizza. I want to meet them. Honestly though, I’m just glad you’re over what’s-her-face.”

“Why are we talking about Nicole?” Theo asks, stepping into the house and closing the front door behind him.

“We are not talking about what’s-her-face, because we don’t mention her name.” Alec glares at Theo. Even though Jason isn’t still upset about his ex-girlfriend, it’s clear Alec still is.

“Now let's get back to the situation at hand. Jason invited a date over. He’s never invited anyone, this is huge.”

“It’s not a date,” Jason protests. “Besides I’ve invited someone over before.”

“No, you haven’t,” Theo replies, pulling Jason into a bear hug. “You’re lucky I managed to put Alec off as long as I did. He's been trying to come over for the last two hours.”

“I have not,” Alec protests, squatting down so Freddie can climb into his lap. After Jason, Alec is definitely Freddie’s favorite person, and his tail whacks the hardwood floor as he licks Alec’s face. “Who’s the best boy in the whole world? Yes, you are.”

“Did you want to come to see me or the dogs?” Jason laughs.

“The dogs obviously,” Alec says, flipping Jason off before laying on the floor. Stella barks excitedly, jumping all over Alec.

“You guys better not jump on Emerson when he gets here, or I’m putting you in the garage,” Jason grumbles.

Alec’s head snaps up. “Who’s Emerson?”

“The guy coming. I told you.”

“No, you told Theo you invited someone. You didn’t say it was a guy.”

“Emerson,” Theo pipes up. “The new English teacher?”

“Yeah, he?—”

“Why do you know who Emerson is and I don’t?” Alec demands.

“Best friend privileges,” Theo answers, turning his attention to Jason. “I didn’t realize you two were so close.”

“We’re friends,” Jason answers. “I’m not replacing you.”

“I didn’t think you were. It’s just, well, I know I’ve been…busy with stuff.” Stuff. Code for Alec.

“I told you, it’s fine,” Jason says. They’ve had this conversation before and if it were up to Jason, they’d never have it again, but Theo’s guilt complex is apparently in full swing again. It’s exactly why Jason didn’t elaborate when he mentioned this to Theo. Well that, and he knew Theo would tell Alec, and he wasn’t ready for that conversation.

“Because you have Emerson,” Theo says.

“What the fuck is going on?” Alec asks, eyes darting between Jason and Theo.

“I’ll tell you later,” Theo answers.

“No, I wanna know now,” Alec counters, rising from the floor. “Who’s Emerson? What am I missing? What?—”

Theo swiftly moves into Alec’s personal space, crowding him back till his legs hit the sofa and wrapping a hand around the back of his neck. Alec lets out a sound that Jason absolutely never needs to hear any of his brothers making before Theo silences him with a kiss.

Averting his gaze, Jason watches the clock until he hears Theo clear his throat signaling it’s safe to look. When Jason turns around, it’s all he can do not to laugh at the dazed look on Alec’s face.

“Whipped,” Jason whistles.

“Fuck you,” Alec says with decidedly less bite than usual. He adjusts his sweats, turning away from them both. “I need a Coke. I’ll be right back.”

“Check the fridge,” Jason says, realizing he forgot to buy any Coke for Alec but not wanting to admit that.

“Obviously,” Alec retorts, nearly in the kitchen when he yells, “Just wait until you get a partner, I’m gonna give you so much shit.”

“I’m not dating,” Jason turns to yell, startled when he turns back around to find Theo staring at him. “What?”

“Emerson.”

“Yes.”

“When is he coming?” Theo asks.

“Uh, I told him six, and he’s usually on time. Unless the bus is late then?—”

“Why the fuck is the fridge full of Dr. Pepper?” Alec bellows from the kitchen. “Who drinks fucking Dr. Pepper?”

Before Jason gets a chance to answer, Alec reappears in the living room looking decidedly disgruntled. He’s holding a can of Dr. Pepper in one hand, but he hasn’t opened it, instead staring at it like it’s personally offended him.

“What the fuck, Jason?”

“It’s soda.”

“Soda is not Coke,” Alec retorts. “This is a flavor abomination. It tastes fruity. Who wants fruity soda?”

The question is clearly rhetorical, yet Jason finds himself answering anyway. “Emerson.”

“Emerson,” Alec repeats, sounding out each consonant in the name like he’s never heard it before. “Are you telling me the fridge is full of Dr. Pepper for your new friend? Oh my god, is this?—”

“Alexander,” Theo interrupts, curling his fingers around Alec’s hip.

“What?” Alec asks, tone softening exponentially as his attention immediately shifts from Jason to Theo.

“I’ll take you to Sonic to get a Coke.”

“At least someone cares about what I like.” Alec directs this at Jason, like having the wrong soda is a mortal offense.

Theo pulls Alec towards the front door, but his attention is on Jason. “We’ll be back in thirty minutes.”

“Why are we gonna be back in thirty— oh .” Alec grins. “Yeah, we’ll be back in thirty minutes.”

Not at all wanting to think about why it’s going to take them thirty minutes to get Alec his goddamn Coke but also grateful that Theo is giving Jason a reprieve from the twenty questions, he shuts the door behind them before turning his attention to his fur babies.

“You two need to behave better than Alec, or I’m putting all three of you in the other room when Emerson gets here.”